For a moment, close your eyes and imagine your day.
When you wake up, you likely turn on the light and prepare: shower, breakfast, local news or a scan of social media. You head to work or another obligation for the day: You walk, ride your bike, take public transportation or drive. Let’s fast forward. Your obligation for the day is over, and you head to one of many possible locations: home, the park or the ballfield to meet your kids or grandkids, perhaps the pool or tennis courts.
We’ll stop there. During any of these three snapshots, was your life affected by the city and those folks who work daily to keep the city running?
Turn on the lights (electric), take a shower (water and wastewater), walk, ride your bike or drive (sidewalks, streets, public safety). Your stop at the park, ballfield, golf course, pool or tennis courts (parks, golf, street, public works). Regardless of the details of your day, it is likely that city operations affect you multiple times.
Now, imagine your neighbor’s day or that of the local business owner.
Any issue that affects your day, neighbors or local business is magnified, whether in a town of 4,500 or a city of 500,000. The men and women who provide those services work tirelessly daily to provide you with the best possible service, bound only by manpower and budget constraints. There is a desire to serve and improve the quality of life of residents, businesses and visitors. Whether the newest employee or one with nearly a halfcentury of service, everyone truly cares about doing their best.
Bounded by budget constraints and a tight labor pool, we face a new challenge. A challenge that will take all of us — city council, city employees, residents, businesses and visitors — to overcome.
Discord.
On its own, discord is healthy. But taken to an extreme, it has created the divisiveness that encroaches on the fabric of our society. As professional managers and city officials, we often find ourselves at the intersection of professional and personal spheres. Our duty to our communities extends beyond mere governance. It embodies American values such as kindness, civility and pride. In navigating the chaos of modern times, we must draw upon the rich tapestry of our communities’ histories and the guiding principles of previous generations.
Turn on the news, read a paper or scroll through social media, and it won’t take long to realize the profound changes shaping our world. Bipartisanship, once a hallmark of American leadership exemplified by figures like Sen. Bob Dole, is now overshadowed by polarizing partisanship. Political hostility, especially in Washington D.C., has led to disrespect and an unwillingness to entertain perspectives differing from ours.
This divisiveness, exacerbated by partisan media, has deepened cultural, historical, and regional divides, eroding the very fabric of our nation. It has crept into Kansas politics.
Yet, amidst these challenges, Kansas remains America’s heartland, and our communities stand as beacons of resilience and unity. This state is deeply rooted in democratic values. We must remain steadfast in the belief that civil, respectful and informed deliberation is the cornerstone of governance at home and in Topeka. While the great chasm of division threatens to engulf us, the pioneer spirit of our forebears, epitomized by figures such as BenjamÃn Pratt, continues to inspire us to build communities founded on industriousness, morality and temperance.
In Russell, as in many communities across Kansas, the spirit of togetherness and perseverance endures. Despite the changing tides of time, our oilfields, farms, industries and public services stand as a testament to our residents’ enduring grit and determination. While we may hear whispers of rural decline, we also witness a renaissance as younger generations return to their roots, drawn back by their forefathers’ values and beliefs.
As leaders, we must nurture and celebrate this progress. Our commitment to public service, often unseen and unacknowledged, shapes the very foundation of our communities and Kansas. We must recognize that every action we take, no matter how small, affects the lives of our residents, businesses, and visitors.
Let us take a moment and reflect on the values of the Silent Generation, and we are reminded of the importance of kindness and civility in our society. We must learn from their example and strive to treat others respectfully and with compassion, regardless of our differences.
As demonstrated by the recent loss of a beloved community member — one of the first people to welcome my family to Russell — true greatness is measured not by wealth or status but by the kindness and generosity we show to others. This gentleman, whom I had the privilege of knowing, is remembered as a man grounded in faith and patriotism. He was always kind and willing to help anyone regardless of station in life, without pomp and circumstance.
We must uphold the principles enshrined in our Constitution and honor those who have sacrificed to defend our freedoms. We must reject divisiveness and embrace respectful dialogue and cooperation to address our community’s, state’s and nation’s challenges. In our increasingly polarized society, it is more important than ever to heed the lessons of the past and work towards a future guided by kindness, civility, and pride in our American heritage.
Let us come together as a community, state and nation, inspired by the values of the Silent Generation, to build a brighter future for generations to come.
In the words of Mary Stewart’s prayer, let us be large in thought, word, and deed, leaving behind pettiness and self-seeking. For in our unity lies the strength to overcome adversity, guiding us through hardships to the stars. Kansas is not just a place on the map; it is our home, a testament to the enduring spirit of America’s heartland. As Astra per Aspera!
Jon Quinday has been the city manager of Russell since 2012. Originally published at kansasreflector.com April 11, 2024
