they're finally going to get "theirs." Then we have the people whose concept of life is finding ways to preserve things of value. If they missed out on "theirs," it's very
possible they didn't notice. These are the kinds of volunteers who are saving the Bear Creek Nature Center, who ask nothing for brightening children's lives at their
schools, who are serving on obcure government boards, who are bringing us original Midland Band music for Colorado City Founders' Day, who made the Red Rock
Canyon Open Space's nifty new pavilion possible, and who (in the case of Karen Sucharski) practically forced the city to let her beautify Thorndale Park's garden plot
for free.
Some worthy people see such wonders and unfortunately tend toward bitterness. Even at the pavilion dedication, I heard comments that people should be made to pay more taxes. And from our current federal administration, I have heard of plans to require community service. But that's just it, isn't it? If you make people pay, or make them serve, it's not volunteering anymore, is it? It's more like robbery or boot camp. Somewhere, I think, is a potential spark in all of us that just needs to be lit. It's frustrating, yes, and even inefficient that so many people don't see it that way, especially in this down economy and the city barely even able to water its parks, but the bright side is that a lot of people are stepping up in response. In a way, we're reenacting how our society originally was created - by responsible, caring citizens who stood up freely and volunteered.
- K.J.