EDITORIAL: Good citizen points way to greatness

Thanks, Dean.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, your 231-word letter to the editor paints a thousand pictures.

All of them bright swaths against a bleak background.

We were going to opine at length here and simply include a link to Dean Haagenson’s letter to the editor, published Aug. 28, but realized we had that backward.

The letter is something of a mantra from this University of Idaho mechanical engineering grad, former state legislator and longtime respected local builder and community advocate. But instead of support for a conscientious conservative’s rational, constructive approach, extreme elements of his party have labeled Dean a RINO and shunned him.

If you missed it, here you go. Even if you didn’t miss it, it’s worth reading again and sharing with friends, family and the out-of-state couple who just moved in next door.

What Dean has hit upon is the key to a good community becoming even better, carefully blending new talent into a rich past prized and protected by people whose ancestors rest beneath us.

• • •

North Idaho has gained many new residents in recent years. The question is: How many citizens have we gained, and what is the difference? 

Well, anyone with a street or mailing address is a resident. A citizen is one engaged in the community and takes seriously the responsibilities of citizenship.

One might recognize a citizen as a person knowledgeable about current issues, possessing some knowledge of our history, subscribing to the local newspaper, involved in a service club, supporting a local nonprofit, etc. While it may be true that area newcomers are less likely than long-term residents to be citizens, the problem is not limited to new arrivals. Far too many of us fail to accept the responsibility of “citizenship.”  

Further, many of us have been quick to criticize new arrivals for their tendency to wish to remake us before knowing us. It is important that we long-term members of the community reach out to new arrivals to welcome, embrace and educate them. We may decide we like them, and they might like us as well.

Finally, for new or old residents, please take the responsibility of citizenship seriously. Be an informed voter. Learn to know your community. By all means, do not allow any group to tell you how to vote. Learn about the issues and candidates for office. Simply put, be a good citizen — anyone can be a resident.

DEAN HAAGENSON

Hayden