Dear Editor:
I have lived in and around the Grants area for quite some time now, moved here ln the late 60's, so I have seen the many changes that this community has gone through. There are a few things that I have seen that really upset me and others in our fair little town. The biggest most noticeable is the lack of hometown pride, all you have to do is drive down any street in both Grants and Milan, what do you see? Trash, junk cars, weeds, torn fences and dilapidated buildings, homes as well as old businesses. It seems everyone is car crazy because every other house has four or five old, broken down cars; everyone says the same thing “it is worth a lot of money...” guess what folks? It isn't worth a darn until you fix it up, till then, it is just junk....so sell it or haul it off! Front yards, in my opinion should reflect how you live, a well-cared for and maintained yard tells me that the occupants of that domicile are a happy, prideful, group of people that seem to care and want their residence to be an attractive addition to the neighborhood, instead of a house that looks abandoned except for a pack of rats and cockroaches.
I have been hearing that this past Memorial Day there was several events honoring the Veterans that are deceased from our County, I have also heard that all of these events were very poorly attended, only a few people were at each one. The organizers of these events stand back and wonder why people don't show up and attend, well, very simple.... advertise! Print posters and scatter them across the county, run some ads in the paper and on the radio, get out and let us the citizens know what you are doing. The one event that I knew about and attended was the ceremony at Fire & Ice Park...The Field of Honor...and folks, it was a sad situation, there was probably thirty people there, the program that was presented was a fiasco, no speakers to honor these, our heroes, yes there was two gentlemen that spoke, but, they really did not have anything that was worthwhile to say, except pat themselves on the back. One gentleman made the statement that volunteers were needed to help put out the crosses and to take them down, again, I say, advertise and get out with some enthusiasm and spread the word about what you are doing, send representatives out and speak at churches, town meetings, everywhere and anywhere, instead of waiting till the day of and come across as a bitter old man complaining about not having any help! The same thing goes out to all organizations that want to do any kind of event,
I know this sounds very critical of me, and I can just hear everyone say, quit your bitching and get involved....well guess what...l have been involved with the Chamber of Commerce, MainStreet, Rotary Club, and when there was the Lions club, Knights of Columbus, and numerous school events and organizations, so I have been active and involved, but right now I am 89 years old and not in good health. What is the saying...been there done that....well I have!
Sincerely,
George Valdez
Grants
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