Letter to The Editor (Cairo Citizen): 2006

The Question on my mind at this time is… “Should I Run for Mayor of Cairo in 2007”?

The Answer to that Question is a Rather Difficult One. The Questions I have to Ask Myself are Many… including “Can I Make a Difference?”, “Am I Relevant for The Challenges and Needs of The Cairo Community?”, “Can I Find a Common Ground with The Other Public Officials and The Community at Large?”, “Are My Goals and Visions for Cairo Appropriate at This Time?” and most Importantly “Will The Community Support Me in My Efforts?”.

Ultimately, I have to Ask “Is It Worth It?”… not only from a Personal Perspective… but from a Social One. My “Life Time” is Very Valuable to Me… and becomes More Valuable The Older I Get. There are Many “Global” Issues to be addressed Today… from Personal Freedoms to Political Corruption to Ecology to Economics to Education to Human Rights to Environmental Concerns. As a Citizen of This Town… and This State… and This Country… “How I Use My Time” to Personally Address these Concerns is an Important Issue. I am an Activist… and I Perceive The Only Solution to Many of Our “Problems” as a Nation to Be In Active Involvement… whether it Be in Politics… or The Many Other avenues of Public Expressions and Participation.

Ironically, I have come to The Realization (or Perception) that The Best Way to Solve many of Our State and National Problems… is at The Grass Roots Level. As Individuals “Wanting to Make a Difference”… we have a Much Greater Impact on The Local Level… through Our Communities and City Government and Surrounding Area.

Fortunately, The “Capacity” to Make a Difference and Change Things for The Better is There… for The Taking. Unfortunately, it cannot be done without Personal and Community Desire and Inspiration and Confidence and Involvement. Without a Positive Attitude and Motivation and Commitment… The “Torch” Will Pass Us By.

My Primary Motivation is Not Just to Help Cairo Grow and Prosper… in The Most Positive Sense of The World… but also to Become The Star that She has The Potential to Be. Cairo has All The Ingredients Necessary to Be an Example to The Entire Country… and to The World. She is a Diamond In The Rough… and While Needing a Lot of Polishing… has The Potential that Few Cities in This State and Country have. We have Paid Our Dues… and We Have Maintained with Honor and Integrity. Just as The Founding Fathers had The “Knowledge” Necessary to Forge a New Nation… Cairo has The Knowledge from Experience and Sacrifice to Forge a New Town... based on Many of The Same Principles and Values this Nation was Founded On… but is Precipitously Losing. We not only have The Challenge and Opportunity Before Us… We Have The Responsibility! It can Remain Our Burden… or It Can Be The Avenue to Personal Growth… and Community Purpose and Meaning.

Obviously, The “Key” to making any Significant Political/Business/Social Endeavor Succeed (besides Hard Work and Play)… is Teamwork and Cooperation and Passion… and a “Plan”. And of Course… it is Essential that The Plan Include “Economic Feasibility and Growth Potential”. Without a Means of Generating Income to Residents and Revenue for The City and Surrounding Counties… We would be Like a Sailboat Adrift without an Essential Wind to Move it Forward.

To Think in Terms of Industry and “Manufacturing” as a Major Solution to Our Economic Woes is Not “Sound” in My Reasoning. While somewhat Relevant and Important in The Long Term… for Our Immediate Concerns we Need to Be Directing Our Time and Energy in Other Directions. Besides, before we consider Soliciting New Business and Industry into Our Community and Area… There Needs to Be a Telecommunications Infrastructure Adequate for Their Needs. At this time… We Do Not Have That! This is an Important Area of Immediate Concern though… and would be another Priority on My Agenda as Mayor and Concerned Citizen.

To get to The Point… TOURISM & ENTERTAINMENT is One of The Primary Areas The City of Cairo and “Little Egypt” should be Concerned With. The Potential for Economic Success is Staggering. The Potential for Personal and Social Growth is Incredible. And… it is Right In Front of Us… just Ready to Be Energized and Actualized. The Marketing Potential of This Geographic and Historical Situation is Awesome. To Create a “Condition” like this would Cost Many Billions… and Here It Is… Just Waiting for People and Communities with Enough Passion and Vision to Make It Happen.

I have often been Amazed at how Some Towns and Communities can Do So Much with So Little… Making The Most of Every Personal and Material and Situational Asset They Have. And then… How Other Towns and Communities that “Have” So Very Much in Terms of “Potential” Assets… somehow Miss The Boat… and for Some Reason never “See” The Diamonds In The Rough… or can Believe In Themselves Enough to Stand Up and Get In The Race. What Is It That Makes The Difference???

Cairo has a Destiny! It has The Capacity and Opportunity and Resources to Fulfill that Destiny! But without The Will To Be… It Will Never Get Out of The Starting Gate.

It is Said that It Takes a Community to Grow a Child. Well… Sometimes it Takes The Essential “Child” in All of Us to Grow A Community. A Child who still sees The Awe in The Moment… The Curious Passion for Love and Truth… and The Unconditional Faith to make The Intangible Touchable… and The Impossible a Reality.

Cairo Can Be That “Star”… with Enough Courage and Faith in Ourselves and Others!

I Believe In Cairo. The Answer I Need to Have is… “Does Cairo Believe In Me”?

At this time… I Need to Hear from Concerned Members of The Cairo Community. I Need to Know if I Should Enter The Race… or Direct My Time and Energies Elsewhere. Should I Continue The Discussion…

Respond to LonnieJay@Earthlink.Net

Best of Life, Love and Friendship,

Lonnie J. Burris

Citizen of Cairo