One of the things I enjoy most about my job is the opportunity to teach a class. Sometimes I think I learn more than my students do. Sometimes I at least hear more than I expected.
That was the case in a recent class. My students were talking about the recent kerfuffle regarding changing the name of North Avenue to University Boulevard and the effort, which is likely to be successful, to block that change.
“Wow, you got roasted!” That is what some students said, obviously wondering how I felt about that.
Just in case you are curious, too, let me explain – sticks and stones may break my… well, that’s not really what I said. I did explain that most, if not all, of those folks chucking verbal rocks have never met me or spent any time with me so there’s no reason for me to take it personally. They don’t know what I want, what I think or what my long-range vision for our school and community might be. They are entitled to their opinions whether those opinions are based on facts or not.
It behooves all of us, I think, to occasionally re-examine our opinions and ask ourselves, is what I think actually based in reality. Let’s not assume that the people in Grand Junction and the surrounding communities – our neighbors – are lacking in foresight and clinging to the past. Instead, we have to respect that our history is important and just maybe North Avenue as the northern boundary of Grand Junction allows us to reflect how far our fair city has truly come from its very humble beginnings
When I look around at our neighbors, at this community, I see many who are committed to moving this community forward and are actively engaged in doing so. In fact, I truly believe this community has all the elements of a great place to live. The people are truly western friendly, want to see one another do well and are willing to lend a hand when one is needed. For every project that has been frustrated, I can think of two that have been accomplished. Consider the Colorado Riverfront Trail, the expansion of St. Mary’s, the new Community Hospital, the Avalon Theater and the soon-to-be Las Colonias Park. Not to mention our own Colorado Mesa University campus, the expansion of which has been a true community effort.
All the efforts in this community to diversify the economic base by bringing in new businesses and supporting the growth of existing ones, the focus on promoting outdoor recreational opportunities in the area and even the civic engagement of vocal minorities doesn’t paint a picture of an indifferent town clinging to the past. Instead, it shows a diverse community looking for common ground and ways to brighten its future.
John F. Kennedy said, “Too often we … enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” So I encourage everyone to get out of their comfort zone, dust off a few of those long-held opinions and get a little uncomfortable.
