Keep Voting for the Kind of City You Want

I've discovered two particular things since we voted to become a city and then turned the very direction of our future upside down.

1. We Are Capable of More Together Than We Are Alone

My ability to accomplish anything used to start and end at me. And, granted, I never really could get that far with my limited abilities. Now that we have our own city, however, busting with start-up energy and positive people trying to make a difference, my ability has suddenly expanded beyond my meager contributions. There always seems to be someone who can do, and wants to do, that which I am not capable of doing. Or, together, that heavy load becomes not only lighter but more fun to carry. This is an entirely new realization for me.

2. Little Eyes Are Watching, and Learning, From Us

I was talking with some children yesterday about a crosswalk that is about to be installed in a place that will enable the boy who lives closest to one of our schools to actually walk to school. These kids knew the names of John Heneghan and Richard Meehan (how many public officials and city staff members did you know growing up?), and it occurred to me that the children of this city are starting to take it for granted that Mr. Heneghan and Mr. Ross and Mr. Wittenstein and Ms. Bonser and Mr. Taylor and Mr. Shortal and Mr. Wright can make things right.

And I wonder what will become of the children who grow up in the newest city in the United States, who can't cross a street to get to school and then see a crosswalk installed. Who see idle strips of land turn into productive green spaces. Who see a bike lane where there wasn't one before. Who know their parents attend Comprehensive Plan meetings and then see the things for which they advocated actually happen. What becomes of children who live in a city like this?

What will become of any of us, who have seen that our actions can make a difference? Who have spoken in places where we used to be silent? Who have dared to dream when we had all but given up on dreams? Who have risked being rejected or laughed at or criticized? Who have shown up when staying home would have been easier?

What will become of you if you get involved? What dream of yours will come true? What positive difference will you make?

I worked for two major start-ups right at the point when each of them celebrated their ten-year anniversaries--USA TODAY and CNN. And what happens at about that point in a small-company-that-has-gotten-big is that the entrepreneurialism starts to die away, and the people involved in the start-up move on, and the rules and the regulations and the policies are more set in stone. (I'm not saying innovation stops--it just requires more approvals.)

For our city, I suspect the aperture of opportunity for start-up fervor will remain open for about another year. If you have been on the fringes of the city and have not jumped in yet, now is your time. Just show up. Find some part of the city's journey that interests you, and get involved. It just might turn your life upside down in a positive way you never could have imagined.

Keep voting for the kind of city you want. With your voice. With your dollars. With your actions.

We can build a beautiful city. In fact, we're on our way.