Public Service

showcrop · Aug 15, 2019

It used to be that people involved in agriculture were generally known to be active in their community. In many communities you had your "bedroom residents" who commuted to the larger town to work everyday and then you had your people who were locally employed who were the glue that held the community together. These locally involved people also tend perhaps to be more social and interact with others more than some who stick to themselves and vent about the town, state country, and people in general on social media. I am very active in my town Fire Department and my church. I have also held an elected office serving my town for 35 years. There is an old saying that says "if you need something done get a busy man to do it". Are you a public servant? or a public critic?

Bob Bancroft · Aug 15, 2019

7 years in three positions with the town was the limit of my patience.

1130Leo · Aug 15, 2019

Servant, over 20 years on Planning commission, Now in 3rd year as Township Supervisor.

RedGreenGuy · Aug 15, 2019

I tried mayor of small village. Never again. Toooo many haters out there.

flembo · Aug 15, 2019

25 yrs on the vol. Fire Dept worked my way up the ranks Captain, Deputy Chief and the last 10 yrs. as Chief. After leaving the Fire Dept. I went to Police standards and training and became a small Town Police Officer. I also served as animal control Officer for 5 yrs.and 1 yr. on the Planning Board. Maybe now I am just a critic LOL.

RobCons · Aug 15, 2019

Servant. I'm on Planning/Zoning Board, Safe Structure Committee, Christmas Committee, and volunteer as needed to help town employees.

Billy Shafer · Aug 15, 2019

I was going to run for public office. But I was asked by too many people. To do something for them. I said forget it.Not wort the
troubles. It would bring.

Aaron SEIA · Aug 15, 2019

Servant. 2 years into my first term as a school board member.
AaronSEIA

marloweg · Aug 15, 2019

50 years Vol Fire Dept. was Chief for years, Hazmat team for 25+. First Responder 25+ still in Dept but engine operator or tender driver. day time staff is very short once its in your blood its hard to stop . at 67 and 160lb feel like a kid yet so i'll go as long as i can . young kids have no interest in any thing in fellow man its whats in it for me .

Tony in SD · Aug 15, 2019

I served my time as a public servant. Figured I did a pretty good job because some loved what I was doing and others hated what I was doing. Now it?s time for the younger people to come to the plate. For the most
part, decisions made now will affect their future a lot longer than mine. So they should be making the policies and decisions. I will offer advice and history IF asked but pretty much steer clear and let the next
generation run the show.

I was also very active in my younger years supporting the community beyond boards and public offices. I did, with the aid of my employees, a lot of ?just do it because stuff? for free. Not looking for a pat on the back
but things that needed to be done to help better the community. I would hear people would say ?Does anybody know who did that?? I never said unless they asked me directly if I did it. And then I rarely answered,
unless it was a private conversation.

Now, I?m retired........ mostly ......

Bill(Wis) · Aug 15, 2019

My father was the classic example of a public servant. Town board, community board, school board, church board, county board, AARP
president, Farm Bureau, etc., etc. They usually elected him chairman or president because he was a perfect gentleman and could run
a business meeting slicker than anything I ever saw. Roberts Rules as if he had made them up himself. He always made time for
people and their problems and was truly interested in helping people. The only time he ever had opposition running for the county
board was when some barflies got a rumor started that my father, if re-elected , was going to close all the bars in the county at
midnight. My father never said any such thing. It was just a rumor. Well, he never got so many votes. People who hadn't voted in
years came out to make sure he won. He never ran a campaign but ran a notice in local papers after the election thanking people
for their support. Greatest guy I ever knew.

Bruce from Can. · Aug 15, 2019

Currently the chairman on county milk committee ,
been on milk committee in two different counties,
over past 20 years, and was chair before. Also was
president of local Lions Club for one term. Not
interested in going into politics.
My father was a municipal councillor, and was also
on the school board for a time. Being involved
seems to run in our family, my Great Great
Grandfather was the first deputy Reeve of the now
defunct Township of Reach, and later served two
terms as the Reeve of the Township of Reach. This
was back around 1870?s

Pitch · Aug 15, 2019

I am a "bedroom resident" I have lived here 40 years,but am still an outsider. The town has been run by the same 5 or 6 families since it was formed in the early 1800's. Immigrants need not apply!
The powers idea of diversity is to hire an in-law!

Janicholson · Aug 15, 2019

Great topic. I serve my city (with farmer roots) by having invested in 4-H, My neighbors home maintenance, Auto and Lawn
mower/snow Blower repair for my community, and civic activities in support of immigrants, and our Senior center. My neighbors are
neighbors in truth. Jim

Goose · Aug 15, 2019

You see that too often in small towns. The politics of my home town is dominated by the fourth generation of the same family.

The people who gush about how great it is to live in a small town don't realize there are two sides to the story.

Living in a small town can be a great experience, or it can be a vindictive hell hole, depending on your origins.

Unfortunately, I see that happen in our church. I'm a member of a large Lutheran church adjacent to a Lutheran University. Even though they are entirely separate entities, our church is dominated by university staff. A cousin of mine and his family once moved back into town and joined the church because his father had been a member. Two years later, they went somewhere else, saying that in the entire two years, no one in any official capacity had shown any interest in them, or welcomed them into the church.

If my cousin had had connections to the university, his family would have automatically been instantly recognized and welcomed into the church. Yet the church preaches brotherhood and claims to welcome all members. I was on the Coordinating Council of the church at the time and made an interesting speech at one of the meetings, but once a culture like that is ingrained, nothing short of a major upheaval ever changes anything.

Stephen Newell · Aug 15, 2019

It's just the state of the country all over. People are getting more and more self centered all the time.

dpendzic · Aug 15, 2019

56 years active volunteer fireman of which 35 was also active EMT. retired after 32 years engineer for the county--so one of only a few engine operators in town during the day

Jim in NC · Aug 15, 2019

Been on and currently serve on several county committees over the past 15 or
so years. 8 years on a county agricultural committee as well as several land
use planning committees. My emphasis has been to speak up for agricultural
and rural interests in an area that is rapidly losing farmland to
development.

centash · Aug 15, 2019

Local cemetery board chair for 30 plus years. Ag society and fair board for about
15 years. Choir for 40 years, Church council, theatre director, local service
club,...you get from your community what you give to it.

Ben

37chief · Aug 15, 2019

I try to keep involved in my community. I am in the cemetery board, Also on the community town council. My Dad was also involved in the community. Stan

Kansas4010 · Aug 15, 2019

My direct family has been in my little town
for over 100 years. Some of my ancestors
actually started this town. I have to work
off the farm and out of this community to
make ends meet. What jobs are there really
in small towns? The Dollar General that
just recently opened or the one gas station
we have. As far as the people in this area
are concerned I may have been born and
raised in this area but all they care about
is how much money I have or should I say
don't have in the bank. I don't fit in with
this town and quite frankly i'm just fine
with that.

Doug-Iowa · Aug 15, 2019

My family still pretty active in the community past 40 years. Wife was city clerk, I'm on the volunteer fire dept and was chief for a while, now my son is chief. Help with the church meals and other community events. Many of us now have sons and daughters moving in to those responsibilities. Great to see them step up. Biggest challenge is us old guys (and gals) need to let them go and keep our opinions to ourselves unless asked. Criticize everything they do and pretty soon they quit.

SVcummins · Aug 15, 2019

Now the people in agriculture are looked upon as
villains 🦹‍♀️ trying to kill the public and also God
forbid wanting to make a living doing their job

Rollie NE PA · Aug 16, 2019

Well I have been a volunteer fire fighter for 42 years serving as chief and asst. chief. I am also the secretary to the board of trustees of the church. I do all the lawn care for both and the maintenance for the church. I guess I qualify as a public servant. Every thing I do is for free.
I can even keep it tractor related as the fire dept. has a Farmall Super c that I mow with and I snow plow the church parking lot with my Farmall H.
Now that I am retired I don't know when I found time to work a real job.

T in NE · Aug 17, 2019

Thought it was going to be a post about
hauling corn.

We call that community service.

Everyone wants to put an extra 10-15,000
pounds on the truck then complain about the
rates.

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