While there is always room for debate and dialog, there is also a time to reflect and celebrate what we have in common. This blog began with a soft launch September 2007 with sporadic posts. Beginning with the state's General Assembly and local elections in early 2008, posting increased. Now there's more to report on than time allows.
Much community support has been expressed on the journey thus far, with readership coming from local (equal to nearly the number of people who vote in town elections) to international responses. Here's a sampling of the letters received which have not been seen previously as "comments" to this blog:
"Thanks for your common sense writing. I think that there should be a civility requirement and not an attack response. Thanks again."
"Bravo..."
"Certainly local politics is an important issue, and it is disheartening to hear that as one of the few who bother getting involved you're being attacked for your efforts. On my side of the world, I intend to write about human rights abuses with reference to the work of Reporters Without Borders and I'll be reading, and perhaps blogging, on your situation."
"Keep up the good work. Local blogs are a tremendous resource for the public, and there are lots of us out here that will fight pretty darn hard to defend you."
"Finally, someone else who's interested in having our town live up to its so called motto! Thank you for offering an informative venue to help us keep our town 'administration' in check. This is a great service that I will visit often! Here's to the future and actual progressive living!"
"If you ever want another writer for your blog, let me know. I posted something in my personal blog in support of you."
"I have recently heard that the Inter Modal has been approved and building in Shawsville will start soon. I have also heard that Hyundai had purchased quite a bit of property to build a manufacturing plant in Christiansburg (in the Falling Branch area) based on the approval of the Inter Modal. Is any of this true or all fabrication. Something as large as this and no discussion is a little strange. Just curious."
"I'm emailing you in support of your actions and ability to stand up for what is right here in Christiansburg. I was born and raised in Christiansburg, and I've lived here my whole life on a street near Cambria. I currently go to Radford University, majoring in broadcast journalism and political science, and I understand the situation at hand, first hand. Thank you again for standing up for your town, and remember that you have every right to have this website, and you're backed by the Constitution of the United States."
"Do not back down on a First Amendment issue. Enlist the help of the"local newspaper". They not only have the means, but know how to defend this."
"Thanks for the information. This place is crazy. I'll do my best to make it to the meetings. Do you have specs on time and place? Many thanks."
"I am very interested in getting more folks to take an interest in Cburg affairs, and I know you are a great standard-bearer."
"I encourage everyone to attend the Candidate Forums and listen to the individual candidates answer the questions put forth. I attended the first forum and plan to attend all but after just one, I have made my decision on who I will support."
"Why doesn't Council have a Parliamentarian (not a Council member) so that correct procedure is followed for meetings? I am so glad you are publishing notes on Council meetings since the town has no intention of doing so. I understand a person (computer specialist) was hired about 2 years ago to set-up the web site but now has the job of being the assistant to the assistant of the Town Manager - duh!!!"
"I plan to start attending Council Meetings."
"Thank you so very much for informing us about Town Council action. That service is really valuable."
"AWESOME!!! Love the site. You know, if we really needed the Chamber of Commerce in order to operate...every business would be a member. The Chamber is like a government agency, catering to the whims of special groups. I like the idea of getting people back on track to taking control of their own businesses. We know what our customers want, we know the people who are coming through already and what those people are asking for, we know who the repeat customers are and why they come back....what in the dickens do we need someone who has less information than we do to perform a study and tell us how to do business?"
"Looks good."
"We all stand a better chance of succeeding if we pool our resources together rather than try to undermine one another."
"I AGREE WITH YOUR DREAM!"
"Thanks so much for taking the time to publish these "minutes". It's something the town should be doing automatically - maybe with they get their new gadzillion $ webpage they will."
"I am truly confounded in Christiansburg."
"Thanks for the updates!"
"Thank you for keeping me in the loop on these issues. I had to scale back my involvement in external activities so that I could make progress with my PhD pursuit but Main Street is starting to look like a place to be."
"I appreciate you for your efforts."
"Thank you for the updates and thank you for giving of your time and effort for the good of the Town of Christiansburg."
We could go on, but we're already blushing. Thanks for all the kind words and please stay engaged -- it is truly "our" community, and we can all contribute to defining our town's future.