By Becky Nelson
Bramblings
Taking a short trip to the New Hampshire north country last week, we were provided with spectacular views of the state’s White Mountains. We are so fortunate to live in this beautiful part of the country. From our 13-mile border with the Atlantic Ocean to the highest point on the East Coast at Mount Washington where the weirdest weather and highest wind speeds on earth were recorded, with gorgeous lakes, rivers, streams, towns, villages, farms and cities in-between … we are blessed. But we are also responsible for preserving this beauty and our freedom to travel around and enjoy our lives.
We spent the few days with elected officials and dedicated managers and workers from New Hampshire counties, with experts from companies and institutions that serve counties from food service for nursing homes and jails to restoration and preservation companies that preserve important historical records, deeds and property maps. Seminars covered topics from artificial intelligence to human resources, and it is always interesting to see just how important county government is in the big picture.
We have all been pretty worked up about federal government of late, and the transition from president to president always brings a wave of angst to those concerned with the biggest of pictures, but I think it is oh, so important that we get involved and concerned with the smaller picture around us. Town and city government with all the boards and councils that make the decisions that directly affect the everyday lives of us everyday citizens are largely overlooked and ignored unless our taxes, water and sewer bills or costs of maintaining our public areas, roads and parks go up and impact our purses. But beyond these monetary influences, there is an intricate network of workers and departments that toil long and hard to make our daily lives better, safer, healthier and comfortable, and that we take for granted.
County government is much the same, with many of us having little clue what goes on unless we have a need to visit the nursing home or the jail or have an interaction with a sheriff or deputy. There also is an intricate network of workers and departments that work hard to make our daily lives safe, healthy and comfortable. We can work right up the line through state, regional and federal affiliations and government. We get pretty worked up about our federal elections, but I wish we could take a bit more time to learn about our state, county and local government. Everything starts at its roots, and to preserve these beautiful areas like our ocean, mountains, rivers, farms, streams, parks, roadways, paths and highways takes an army of workers and voices.
As you take advantage of the services provided to you by the individuals that make up our governments, whether municipal or federal, I urge you to become more involved. Fire departments, police departments, public works, water, sewer, parks, roadways, highways, jails, EMS … all are provided for us by us … our tax dollars and voices and work. Volunteer for a local board or council. Run for office. Go to selectboard, city council, commission or local board meetings to learn what is being done and lend your voice to the decision-making process. It is easy for all of us to sit back, complain about our tax bills, voice our outrage about smells from broken down equipment and grump when we hit a pothole in the street, but it is harder, and very much needed, that we get involved in the systems and work with the people that strive to keep our towns, cities, counties, states and nation beautiful, safe, comfortable and thriving.
Time to get off the couch and off social media and into the streets, talking to our government representatives and elected officials so we can continue to be the “united” states, towns, counties and neighborhoods so we can continue to enjoy the beauty and freedom around us. Thank the individuals who are willing to give up their own time and energy to help make your lives more comfortable. Volunteer to serve on a board or council. Take time to learn about how these cogs all interact with other cogs and think about how you can help in the workings. As the old adage states, “freedom isn’t free” and it takes all of us to work toward preserving all the freedom and beauty we enjoy. And don’t forget to take a drive to the ocean, mountains, or a nearby park or trail and enjoy these blessings we need to preserve and steward.
