Yesterday evening we had a presentation from the folks who are facilitating the community effort to revitalize Homewood. While much of their comprehensive planning process is familiar to those of us who have done this in the past, I think there was a fresh aspect in the inclusion of our education, policing, banking, and religious functions. Certainly, we have always invited everyone to participate in the planning process, but these components of our community were not well represented. Perhaps, as we consider how to attract new residential development, now is the time to address that shortcoming. Back in the early 2000s I chaired a citizens group called Carnegie CAN (Community Action Network). It was a citizens group formed specifically because Borough Council was not listening to the residents and other stakeholders (churches, banks, library, etc.). Council was adamantly opposed to Carnegie CAN, ignored us, and the organization eventually dissolved. But that Council is long gone and the current Council is very open to community input. Based on comments last night by CCDC president Joe Myers, I believe that CCDC will volunteer to coordinate a new effort involving all the stakeholders in town. I think the effort will enhance our planning.
I always enjoy hearing diverse opinions from community members. I try to take their input and compare and contrast it with my own opinions, and then see what insights I can glean from that analysis. Maggie Forbes made the comment that many residents use their pedigree in the town to substantiate their views. That is, they say “I was born and raised in this town” and that means their opinions are more important than those of a resident who has lived in Carnegie for only 5 years. I think I am a little guilty of this myself even though I believe I am open to new ideas. My family has lived in Carnegie for about 100 years, so I guess I feel that my family has more invested in the past, present, and future of the town. But that should not mean that my opinions are “more correct” than someone else’s or that the opinions of a new resident should be dismissed because they may be “transient”. Frankly, we must admit that being someplace for a long period of time can lead to stale ideas. I’m sure you have encountered the situation where a couple buys an older home that hasn’t had any improvements for 30 or 40 years. Maybe even the house was in disrepair. This is very common. Why? The previous home owners were probably stuck (psychologically) in a certain place in time and at some point lost the ability to see fresh perspectives. I can’t count the number of times I have heard a long time resident tell me that Carnegie is just a dumpy little town and we shouldn’t expect more of it. But for as many people I meet like that, I meet the same number of new residents who say that Carnegie is an awesome town and has so much potential. I am using some of their opinions to challenge my own long held beliefs, and I encourage you to do the same.
carnegiedems.org 