Community Pride

*NOTE: On Thursday, October 21, 2010, Apalachicola Seat 4, City Commissioner Brenda Ash released the following letter.

Speaking both as a City Commissioner and concerned citizen, I think it is imperative that we preserve our community. And there is a sense of urgency concerning this. Preserving our community can be done by all of us combining our efforts and working together to create and maintain a neighborly environment, one with a shared sense of community spirit where we welcome our children, encourage our youth and appreciate our senior citizens. That is the responsibility by all citizens of a community. But not only are we responsible for our community now, we owe this to the future generation; those boys and girls yet to come forth and call the Hill their home. As present-day residents, we are obligated to them; thus we must begin now fulfilling our commitment as stewards of our community.

We must join together with a united sense of urgency so the current generation, as well as those that follow, will understand that prosperity is possible in our community. I include our current generation because I feel, although not a lost group of people, with the current state of our society, the dismal economic pictures of the past years and the steady decline of employment opportunities, they have felt unmotivated, uninspired and simply disenfranchised from a life of positive possibilities.

Our “Future” needs us! They need us to ban together as a unified front of citizens and work for the betterment of our community. They need us to show them that prosperity can be achieved in our community. They need us to show them that our Hill can once again be a vibrant community with businesses that promote a family-oriented lifestyle. They need to know there is more to entrepreneurship than selling alcohol. They need us to teach them to think outside the “box” and not just settle for what's easier, but to work towards achieving positive goals for a prosperous future. And together, we can do this. United we stand divided we fall!

I'm sure you are all aware that a new business, a liquor/specialty store, is being proposed for the Hill, with its location centered right in the heart of our community-9th Street.

If this matter concerns you, please share your thoughts with the City Commission 6p.m on November 2, 2010 at 1 Bay Avenue.

Brenda Ash
Apalachicola City Commissioner
213 17th Street
Apalachicola, FL 32320
(850) 323-0590