Editorial: Let People In—Our Town Deserves Better

I love this town. I’ve built a life here, a business here, and I want to invest my time and energy into making our community stronger. That’s why it cuts deep to say this plainly: too many doors in local civic life are closed to the very people who are ready to help.

This isn’t about left or right. It’s not a national talking point. It’s about us—neighbors, small business owners, volunteers, parents—who are willing to show up and do the work, only to be told, “Not you. Not like that. Not right now.”

I’m tired of it, and I know I’m not alone.

The Problem Isn’t Politics—It’s Gatekeeping

Let’s call it what it is: gatekeeping. Committees, clubs, and small circles that decide who gets to participate and who doesn’t. The rules on paper say “everyone’s welcome,” but the rules in practice say “only if we already know you, already agree with you, or already control you.”

That kind of control mentality strangles new ideas. It pushes away new energy. It silences people who care. And it absolutely harms the town, because communities thrive on participation—especially from people who bring different experiences and fresh solutions.

What I Stand For (and Why It Matters Locally)

I’m not a national party warrior. I’m a neighbor with common sense. I believe in:

Responsible budgets that match reality and respect taxpayers.
Free enterprise that supports small businesses and job growth.
Open doors for anyone willing to serve—no secret handshakes required.
Individual rights and dignity—including women’s rights—respected without litmus tests.
Outcomes over optics—less performative politics, more real work.

None of that is extreme. It’s practical. It’s American. And it’s exactly what local leadership should look like.

If You Want a Strong Town, You Can’t Fear Strong People

Communities rise when leadership is confident enough to welcome strong people, not stifle them. We should be inviting in:

Young adults who want their first chance to serve
Small business owners who understand growth and constraints
Residents who’ve been overlooked or discouraged
People who disagree—respectfully—and still want to collaborate

If you believe in this town, you embrace people who want to help—even if they challenge your comfort zone. That’s how you get progress.

Transparency Isn’t Optional

If appointments are happening behind closed doors, if committees are “full” until they’re suddenly not, if people are being quietly told “no” with no reason and no process—that’s a civic failure, not a preference. Public roles should have public standards, public timelines, and public outcomes. If you can’t explain why someone was turned away, the process is broken.

Here’s What Needs to Change—Now

This isn’t just a rant. It’s a blueprint. If we want a healthier civic culture, we can implement these simple, nonpartisan fixes:

Publish clear pathways to participate.
Every committee or local body should post: how to apply, when seats open, what qualifications matter, and who decides.
Use open calls, not closed invitations.
Applications should be public for a minimum of 30 days with clear selection criteria.
Require written reasons for rejections.
If someone isn’t selected, they deserve a brief, respectful explanation and guidance on how to strengthen their application.
Rotate leadership.
Term limits or rotation policies prevent stagnation and ensure fresh perspectives.
Hold quarterly “Civic Onboarding Nights.”
One evening where local bodies explain what they do and how residents can plug in—no politics, just access.
Measure participation.
Track and publish how many new members, first-time volunteers, and underrepresented voices joined this year. If the number is zero, fix the funnel, not the applicants.
Protect dissent.
No one should be frozen out for disagreeing respectfully. Good debate makes better decisions.

Anger With Purpose

Yes, I’m angry—the productive kind. The kind that says: this is our town, and it belongs to all of us. We can disagree on national issues and still lock arms locally to fix roads, expand opportunities, support businesses, secure safe neighborhoods, and create a town where people are proud to live.

If you’re reading this and you’ve been shut out, hear me: you’re not the problem. Your energy matters. Your voice matters. Your willingness to serve matters. Keep showing up. Bring others with you. Document your experiences. Speak publicly and respectfully. That’s how we change culture—by refusing to accept the smallness of closed doors.

A Simple Pledge for Local Leaders

To anyone in a position of influence: adopt this pledge and prove the door is truly open.

I will welcome, not gatekeep.
I will explain, not obscure.
I will rotate, not hoard.
I will respect, not retaliate.
I will build a town that outlasts me.

That’s the spirit that makes a community strong—not party lines, not cliques, not control. Let’s get back to serving people, not protecting positions.

Open the door.