Monday, June 22, 2009
The Mountain and The Teaspoon
It is easier to criticize than to contribute. This truism is one that plagues leaders in public, private, profit, and not-for-profit enterprise. While criticism is often earned, it is also too often simply a past time for the malcontent and the lazy. A kind act or word can be a bright light in the otherwise dark night of ubiquitous cynicism.
It is in that hopeful spirit that I want to compliment DCSS for starting to take action in a relatively swift fashion regarding the vagrancy and mis-use of Cross Keys HS property (see, DKPD, DeKalb Sanitation Clean Up Vagrancy near Cross Keys HS, Buford Hwy (UPDATED 6/10 Photos). Though this has been a problem area for many years, I believe the renewed community attention (and the support of this blog's readers) has finally inspired action.
Last week, I received a call from a watchful neighbor who spotted DCSS Operations vehicles and crew working by the athletic field at the school. I dropped by to chat with the crew and learned that they have been given the order to clear the under brush and small trees out of the overgrown area adjacent to the athletic field.
While the going is slow and it may be simply a small step towards a more sustainable solution, I was greatly relieved and encouraged to see DCSS responding with direct, effective action in this case. This simple approach will decrease the likelihood of ongoing mis-use of the school grounds.
There is much to do to restore Cross Keys HS damaged reputation and the first step is winning over the surrounding communities and thereby the enrollment of their kids. A public relations effort of that size is indeed a mountain that must be moved. This is a welcome spoonful towards moving this mountain.
DCSS' critics (including this one) will certainly continue to monitor ongoing efforts at Cross Keys. For this week, let the criticism fade to background noise and let's enjoy this moment of progress.