Letter To The Editor: We Are All One Community

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

We Are All One Community.

As residents of Mahaska County, you and I have the opportunity to decide how we want our community to look in the future. This opportunity presents itself as an election later next year when we can approve the Local Option Sales Tax to support ongoing county and city road improvements, and to build two new facilities: an Environmental Learning Center and an Early Childhood Development and Recreation Center.

I grew up on a farm near Delta. As a kid, it was a big deal coming to Osky to go shopping at Atpic Mall or at the grocery store. We came to the doctor and even the hospital here. We depended on Oskaloosa to provide the services we needed and wanted. I am certain that today most Mahaska County residents make a trip to Oskaloosa for the same reasons. When Oskaloosa grows and prospers, more needed services and desired amenities are available to all of the residents of Mahaska County. The desirability of Oskaloosa leads to more families wanting to relocate to Mahaska County. My point here is that we are all one community. We aren’t “rural” and “city,” we are Mahaska County. We attend church together, we go to work together, and we watch school sporting events together. We are neighbors that help one another in times of need – never once identifying with “country” or “city.”

I have had the opportunity to live in a number of places since growing up on that farm – Ankeny, Minneapolis, and Kansas City. Yet my wife and I chose to move back home. We love it here and want other families to choose Mahaska County as home to ensure the future of our community. Today, folks have certain expectations when making those choices of where to move. Not only do they expect good roads (something our vote will support), but they also want opportunities for their children. They expect high quality early childhood development facilities that allow their children to flourish and attractive places for their families to recreate year-round. In order for our community to prosper in the future, it is a necessity to compete with the many other communities that already provide these facilities.

It is not often you and I have the opportunity to make such a significant impact on our community – the community of Mahaska County. I encourage you to think about the future and how you can help Mahaska County prosper for years to come. I welcome your thoughtful dialogue and can be reached at steveburnettlovesosky@gmail.com.

Steve Burnett