A CURIOUS CITIZEN

Days later I visited him to arrange a meeting and as we stood by the road, many questions and thoughtful answers were spontaneously exchanged and in fact, the interview had begun! Look for it later this fall.

The reason I mention Reddick now is because of what he represents, someone who even during ‘normal’ times holds a job that isn’t easy. One that requires assuredness, courage and a strong sense of what is right. That he goes beyond this to volunteer his time and skills to a distant cause that places him in danger and far away from his family is extraordinary. What makes someone extraordinary? Is it that they are unafraid or perhaps more important, the way they deal with fear? Is it their sense of what is ‘right’ and that they are compelled to ensure this is achieved? Is it because they understand that one cannot wait and hope others will do the job or take the risk? All three and more, I’m sure.

To reduce this to local terms (ah yes, like the apple my thoughts never fall far from the tree!) what does it take to be fearless, compelled to see that the right thing is done and to get involved? It takes citizenship. Mark said in an editorial on youth that “it takes a village to raise a child” and it does. It also takes a village to raise a village. In a piece on criticism of Privateer Days, he talked about the tendency to use and think in terms of ‘them’, as though ‘someone else’ is in charge. Whether it’s volunteers or councillors, the perception is they’ll make things happen or make things right and if things go wrong, it’s ‘them’ who are to blame. Why?

When I challenged the signage bylaw, although very glad of the huge support from people everywhere I went, I was taken aback to realize they saw me as ‘someone in charge,’ who would ‘fix it.’ That was unrealistic. It takes a group, not an individual, to make a difference and although lots of people became actively involved, many others who also objected did not. As Fred Giffin said in a recent article about the fish farm, it also takes consistency and staying power. When those who lead these battles look back and see no troops behind them, there can be no win. Don’t under estimate the value of your participation and support. Whether it’s as a volunteer, challenging a situation or smiling reassuringly at an angry looking youth, we can all make a difference.

Recently I raised the issue of noise and received a barrage of emails and calls from people who are suffering terribly. Many asked for help, but to no avail. Others challenged the noise source and were threatened or their property damaged. A great many suffered in silence (see my second column ‘Don’t Suffer in Silence’ on the County of Queens section of novanewsnow.com). Call me crazy (and I expect many do!), but if you want to email curiouscitizen@eastlink.ca or write me, Liverpool, B0T1K0 (no calls please) describing your noise problem and what you’ve done about it, maybe compiling this information could be useful.

There’s not only strength, but credibility in numbers. Although most of us will never be extraordinary people like Charles Reddick, making a difference and giving hope to ordinary people far away, if we all do our bit, as ordinary people perhaps we can achieve extraordinary things right here.