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Letter to James Wilson
James Wilson July 31, 1990
This letter and enclosed material is intended to give you an idea of my experience, abilities, interests, attitudes and social orientation. I am submitting this material in hopes that through your professional position or personal connections, you can directly or indirectly be instrumental in helping me find a position within the political or private sector of Cairo. Obviously, I would expect that any assistance given me would be in the interest of the City and People of Cairo. With that thought in mind, let me give you a few reasons why I think the city of Cairo would benefit from my participation in the community in some capacity: 1.) I consider the most important reason I would be a benefit to Cairo is that I am "people conscious". My interests in business and/or government (from a social perspective) is mainly how it can better serve the people. I think one of the long term "problems" with Cairo has been the continuing dominance of the business sector over the citizens through control of City Government. While no one wants environmentally destructive industry to come to Cairo, I think it takes a very self serving mentality to discourage or actively hinder various ecologically sound industry and retail and service business from making Cairo their home. I think the "tyranny" should be history. 2.) I am an "Idealist" more than a Pragmatist. I believe in the spirit of the Constitution and what it stands for. I think business and government are for the most part "self serving" and to a great extent hardly servants of the people. While practical considerations in business and government are important, social and environmental consciousness should be the main concern and thrust. It is not. 3.) I have varied experience from many different areas and fields. I have worked in technical, service, and management. I have also formed my own business and organization and kept them going. I have a first hand understanding of the difficulties & workings of organizational evolution and dynamic process. I have studied Industrial Psychology. 4.) Cairo's first and foremost interest should be integrity and positive economic growth. While I am still very critical of Cairo, in the time that I have been back I have seen that "spirit", pride and the desire to be more than "just another small town" shine through. I think finally the "good guys" are winning in Cairo and I would like to be a part of helping Cairo to become all that it can be. I would not only like to see Cairo become "respectable", but also "honorable". Cairo has the potential of not only becoming an area leader, but a State, Country & even World leader. It has more assets than it knows. 5.) I would like to see Cairo expand several miles North along the Interstate and immediately start promoting and encouraging business and residential growth in that area. While I am fully behind Project Enterprise, I think that it's value is more of a long term one. Right now, Cairo has to start getting people off of the Interstate, giving them a reason to go into Cairo and even more so a reason to come back and advertise by word of mouth to their friends and relatives. While various factions in Cairo were involved in petty fighting, Charleston was taking mature action. Still (as always), Cairo has a much better strategic location over Missouri and even up the Interstate... so the potential and opportunity is still there. But time is running out. 6.) I would especially like to see Cairo work very hard to become a 00% Unemployment City by creating Independent Work Programs for its citizens. To do so and be successful would not only greatly stimulate the local and area economy, but would also create a tremendous source of revenue for the City to grow with. It can be done & I can help. 7.) With a little help, I can help my own project and enterprise of "Self Expressions Unlimited" grow and become both a significant social and economic benefit to Cairo and it's citizens. I am now almost totally the financial contributor to Self Expressions Unlimited and it is barely surviving. In helping me help myself and my own interests, you would also be helping the cause of Freedom of Speech, Creative Self Expression, Human, Animal and Environmental Rights... which is what it is all about. You also would be helping National Attention be brought to Cairo. I want SEU's home to be Cairo... but I need help. 8.) I am, for the most part, a life-long yet intermittent resident of Cairo. I know and understand its History. I know where it has been, where it is and where it can go. I have also lived in and been a part of many other communities and cities. I can see Cairo objectively and with perspective. Also, I was in the Vietnam War and put my life on the line for this Country and it's Constitution. I think that is worth something in terms of respect, consideration and useful experience. 9.) I have been true to my ideals, beliefs and convictions and have paid the price in terms of job loss, career damage & disappointment. I do not have much patience with exploitive business people, government power seekers, political clowns or inept educators and biased national and local newspapers and journalists. I think there are many others in Cairo who feel the same way... who are becoming impatient with slow change and "business and politics as usual". Obviously, I feel that you are one of those people James. I think that Cairo is fortunate to have you and the many other dedicated individuals working for them. I also think they would be fortunate to have me on their teem also. I think Cairo needs me & I would like the opportunity to be a productive part. Thanks for your time, energy and consideration.
Best
of Life, Love & Friendship, Lonnie
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