They're called the "Mission Possible Force." I didn't make that up. See the sign below.
Initially I was going to sit in and The Telegraph was going to cover this brainstorming session as a news story. But early this morning I got a call from my editor who asked me not to attend, at the group's request. Apparently there was some concern that frank discussion would not ensue if the newspaper was listening and repeating things.
I can understand that. But there are several things I find hilarious about this:
1. The Telegraph helped put this together. The group is meeting at The Telegraph. We're usually not big on keeping secrets.
2. Several of the participants are long-time sources of mine. I imagine that, should I become curious, I can find a couple to tell me what happened.
3. You're going to solve the community's problems but don't want the community to listen in? OK....
Vic Jones - one of the biggest burr's in the establishment's side around here - had this to say about it:
"Tell them I said: 'Their fear of putting problems on the table and addressing them in a public forum is over half the problem around here.'"
7 comments:
I think that you are on to something Travis. Except for the fact that you and I have already discussed this and you are right. It would be a great thing if the churches of Macon responded positively to your challenges. You could take this to the state level as well. Just look at Atlanta for a minute. Why do we all of a sudden need Sandy Springs and Milton? Why do people like that Councilman in Atlanta need to run race baiting political ads that say if you vote for a Republican we will go back to the 1960’s. Because of course, people don't trust each other.
Sounds like the formation of a Democrat PAC Committee. Where are the Republicans participants ? Guess Charles and Sam forgot to invite them.
Outstanding.
Grant County, Indiana (where I am from), is a living monument to the demise of the manufacturing age. When I left in 2,000 the county of 80,000 had lost nearly it's entire manufacturing base, it's source of jobs and tax revenue. They lost 3 wire and cable factories, 4 glass factories, 2 paper mills, a corrugated box company and numerous foundries. Unemployment reached 14%.
In 2004, in an act of desperation and vision, several individuals approached the Mayor of Marion with a visionary approach to instill hope in the community and attract new industry. The result is simply amazing. Since the first Synergy in 2004, Grant County now is home to a Wal-Mart Distribution Center and a Dollar General Store Distribution Center, Technosoft computer software, numerous small manufacturing enterprises and enormous growth in Indiana Wesleyan University. http://www.synergygrantcounty.org/
The economic differences in our communities are massive, but the basic problems we experience are synonymous with them and virtually any community in the United States.
The Community Foundation of Grant County has been gracious in discussing their role in catapulting their community from lack to growth. This same process is what I want to bring to Bibb County. Already, the response has been overwhelming when I explain this concept. I have yet to hear any negativity of it. I am providing copies of a lecture given by Tim Sanders, Chief Solutions Officer, for Yahoo, at the Synergy '04 event which is challenging and inspirational. I would be more than happy to share a copy with you. Simply let me know.
We, literally, are on the cusp of something great. Dawn Brown, from the Community Foundation, said something profound to me this week in our conversation. She said once you embark on this philosophy of Synergy, politics and division are minimized. A culture of vision and hope is bred. I think Bibb County is ripe for a re-creation of our vision.
When I read about LEADERSHIP, RACE RELATIONS, SYNERGY, etc, I begin to wonder - "Where is George Israel?" In case you don't know, the big city grabbed him! We need leaders like George in Macon-Bibb County. His two terms as Macon's Mayor were some of our best years. Too bad, there aren't folks like him around who are willing to sacrifice for the good of all. In case you didn't know - the Mayor's salary was pitiful during George's two terms.
About those folks being gathered together to talk about "our problems" - how they were chosen and who chose them?
That's my two cents worth and that's about all it's worth.
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