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MAYOR ALLISON WILKERSON, CITY OF GRAYSON
THE EXECUTIVE – Q3 2015
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The 2015 Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines community as a unified body of individuals;
people with common interests, with common characteristics, living together within a larger
society. They share a joint ownership in a particular value, activity, religion, race, or interest.
You can have a community of believers, a community of activists, a community of cyclists,
runners, survivors, mechanics, ethnic backgrounds or sexual orientation. Communities can be
based on geographic boundaries, school allegiances, or just a common life outlook. And in the
last few years, the definition of community has been ever expanding due to the increased ability
to share everything via social media therefore decreasing any perceived time/space boundaries.
When speaking of communities in relation to serving the public within a city-wide
dynamic, it is important for leaders to create and nurture a common goal of trust and fellowship
that is at the core of all these definitions. Good leaders will create opportunities for a growing
sense of attachment to a place or ideal when fostering a community within their cities.
A strong community adds overall value to governance by bringing together crucial
elements such as commitment, a solidarity of purpose, and trust. Strong communities are
not merely identifiers; they are filled with action and engagement with reference to “MY
community” or “OUR community.”
Strong communities are filled with diversity which creates strong links based on common
perspectives and joint action, rather than divisiveness based on their diverse characteristics.
Using the broad spectrum of individual strengths with shared goals will garner a community of
positive and active participants rather than alienated nay-sayers.
A strong community will share values that make it easy to share activities, as well as
dreams for the future. Recognizing that the demographic in any municipality is never static,
communities should also grow with the changes in the population. Values will be readjusted,
common enemies and tasks will need to be confronted, and city-wide growth and management
need to be considered when a community steps up to the shared goals of creating a “home”
within their community that is a healthy and positive place for family and business dynamics.
It should be fluid and organic, but always striving to work together for something that is
important.
Members of the community must trust each other for true collaboration, and the ability
to compromise based on this trust is a key element when a community is working towards a
common goal.
Common and related ideals and focus are what distinguish the members of a strong
community from other citizens in an area and defines the boundaries of each community much
more than the city limit signs or school districts.
Strong communities are most often those that reflect this sense of public pride. Clean
parks, friendly neighbors, safe streets, higher achieving schools and an open form of
government based on the mutual trust and respect between public officials and those wishing
to be part of the community experience.
Participation in these communities can bring economic prosperity as those within create
networks that foster socioeconomic advantages and healthy cities. There is a true dollars and
cents pay-off in a strong community that is based on personalized exchanges and orientation
towards a common-good goal.
Strong Communities Build Strong Business
Mayor Allison Wilkerson, City of Grayson
2015 President –
Gwinnett Municipal Association