Where has Fountain Hills been and where is it going?
Posted
By Michael Scharnow | Spain
As someone who still has a personal and financial stake in this town – even though I’m not currently living there – I ponder this question every time I scroll through Facebook or read the local paper.
It’s interesting that The Wall Street Journal published an editorial concerning Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s talk at Charlie Kirk’s memorial. Rubio noted that too many Americans “are moving into neighborhoods with other people that agree with them politically” and isolating “themselves from people that do not agree with them.”
Sound familiar?
Fountain Hills has drastically changed over the decades for many reasons. No doubt rising property values and housing costs have altered our demographics – creating an aging population and forcing tough economic decisions for our school system, businesses and more.
But isolation in the Hills has led to more partisan rankling, name-calling, egotism, plain-old stubbornness and an unwillingness to seek compromises.
The Journal also pointed out that Kirk “understood that we were not created to isolate ourselves from one another, but to engage. The irony in all this is that what our nation needs … is the ability to discuss our differences openly, honestly, peacefully, respectfully.”
Clearly this is what Fountain Hills needs. Note the last four words – openly, honestly, peacefully, respectfully.
At least from across the pond, it appears to me this town is sorely lacking these positive characteristics right now. Why?
We can have differing party labels, religions, investments, philosophies, etc. and still be effective in improving Fountain Hills, can’t we?
So, folks, why not stop isolating and instead engage in a worthy manner? Put ego and power aside. Talk respectfully to those who have different ideas. Become positive and effective – not angry, vengeful and isolationist.
