The Editor's Report

My wish is to make the Meadow Lakes Chatter a production that you can look forward to for some facts, some fun.... something for you talk over with your family, a neighbor and or a friend. This first issue will be slanted more on the serious side as the residents of Meadow Lakes have a need to become more aware about the goings on in their community, its history and its future. There isn't one of us that after whatever it is that fills our days, wants only to enjoy a quiet evening at home....eating dinner, spending time with family and taking time to regroup, gathering the energy that we need for the coming day. But, as much as we enjoy that time, we need to know what is going on around us to protect our reasons for being in Meadow Lakes.
While distributing the flyer announcing this issue we were met with lots of smiles and thank you's. It was a very rewarding and heartwarming experience. I wish to thank all of your for the gracious welcome. During that cruise around Meadow Lakes I was asked by a business owner who has some strong thoughts regarding the SpUD why I hadn't done this sooner. (I'm sure that she was referring to the creation and distribution of an informational newsletter about the community that includes HOT topics like the SpUD) My first thought was.....because like everyone else I have another life, that though it resides typically within this community and has committed thousands of volunteer hours to it, (including this newsletter), it does require that I too make money to pay for my continued existence in this world.  My work this summer took me way out of town, literally in the middle of nowhere....ok, 100 miles NE of Bethel....pretty close to nowhere....and though this newsletter was on my mind; I thought that creation and especially distribution might pose a bit of a problem from my location. My second thought was and what were you doing? Why are you asking me this question? And, if you feel this strongly about a subject, why aren't you doing something other than complaining about what others are doing and the time frame that they are able to do it in.
Over the years I have asked myself, "Why is it that the only time that we seem to hear from our fellow community members is at a time that they believe there is a crisis afoot?" Their homes are being broken into, or the Borough doesn't want to pass a variance for them, or the State DOT is suggesting plans for the Parks Highway which will make some people happy and other people very sad, it all boils down to an item that affects them personally....what they don't realize is that as a community, all things going on within the community affect all of us at one time or the other....either past or future and unless you participate in your community, you may not like what you get. The only recognized voice that you have from this community, to the Borough, is your local Community Council.
So, maybe it is time for all of us to pause to remember the reasons we chose to live here, and to consider our futures, and take some responsibility in that future. We are the only ones that can control our destinies.