Each election we argue at a public meeting that the best plan is the one that gives citizens the most opportunities to cast their vote. Sunday has been a popular choice, with the highest number of voters choosing 1 pm on Sunday, October 22 in 2023. It’s time to do so again. We must make sure the Sunday option is maintained.

Dear Neighbor,

“Get Involved. You live here.“

I was handed this button by a friend at a meeting a few weeks ago. It got me thinking about why people do or do not get involved in their community. The “why nots” are pretty easy…too busy,  don’t think it matters, no one would listen to me,  too hard to follow the issues, what happens doesn’t affect me, someone else will do it, and so on. But why do people decide to spend time, energy, money to be involved in community action? I think it is because they feel a sense of responsibility to try to make things better, not just for themselves but for the communities of which they feel a part; their neighborhood, town, county, state, country and the world. 

The most basic way to be involved is to vote. They vote for the school board even if they don’t have children in school. They vote for representatives that work for the changes they support. 

The percentage of voters in a community is a good way to measure how involved the citizenry is in making improvements and safeguarding the rights and opportunities for all. This percentage of voters has gone up in Rowan County over the past elections (55% in 2000; 69% in 2008; 75% in 2024) which is great! Some of this increase is likely due to the introduction of Early Voting in 2000 by the Board of Elections, within the parameters set by the State. Each election we argue at a public meeting that the best plan is the one that gives citizens the most opportunities to cast their vote. Sunday has been a popular choice, with the highest number of voters choosing 1 pm on Sunday, October 22 in 2023. We must make sure the Sunday option is maintained.

It’s time to do so again. You can help. Whether you want to speak or not, your presence demonstrates that you are one of those who chooses to get involved with your community. The local Board will meet Wednesday, August 6 at 12:30 in the BOE at the Rowan Community Center, (the old Salisbury Mall), 1935 Jake Alexander Boulevard W, Salisbury, NC 28147. Remember the road to Democracy runs through your own backyard!

“Dear Neighbor” authors are united in a belief that civility and passion can coexist. We believe curiosity and conversation make us a better community.