Opinion: Everyone has a part to play

By Medicine Hat News Opinion on January 30, 2020.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

It was a side note in this week’s State of the City Address, but an endeavour to rebuild and potentially operate a railway engine and passenger car between sites in the Historic Clay District may be just the sort of hidden gem the Hat needs.

Not, necessarily that endeavour – the volunteer project by the Rotary Club members is still under a cloak of secrecy – but the spirit and effort behind it is a good dose of just what this city needs.

That is, citizen-led, community-based and private sector projects with imagination to enliven this stuffy old ‘burg.

For too long Hatters have grumbled about the fortunes of natural gas, a population that doesn’t seem to grow, and a lack of opportunities or points of attraction for those looking to do business in or settle in Medicine Hat.

True or not, deserved or not, a fat lot of good it will do to sit on our hands.

This city has local agencies and groups that concentrate on social well-being, but it’s clear that we’re stuck in a work-a-day rut on that matter. We need to expand our imaginations and collective effort to get this city moving.

Similarly, the private sector cries for the need for City Hall to bring in new industries and attract young families. Many Hatters also strongly believe that it is in fact the private sector that is better positioned, and frankly more adept, in that regard.

But what can be done?

In the past month, the News has brought reports from Lethbridge about two community-led endeavours that highlight a substantial difference.

A scale model of the solar system centred on a downtown historic post office would see planets (about the size of basketballs) located at points of interest around that city. As a whole, the sites create a relay course perfect for marathon.

Another group is raising money to install a restored Time Air jet at Lethbridge’s airport.

They won’t bring in the international press, cause a run on hotel rooms or bring back boom times.

They are flights of fancy, forgiving the pun, but are fun, from the ground up, and make a statement about the vibrancy and engagement of the community.

Do Hatters really need to be led by the nose or stand by while government, local or otherwise, improves their community?

Also tucked within a general address from Mayor Ted Clugston was the soft launch of a Medicine Hat Ambassadors program that’s been talked about for sometime in council priority documents. In a short video, new Medalta general manager Mike Onieu describes his decision to retire from senior position in the military to locate in this city.

Restoring Medalta to national historic status was itself a major community-based effort that flew in the face of some quarters in town, but one that has paid off.

Let’s face it. Medicine Hatters’ defining quality may be a utilitarian nature, and a falling-over pottery complex hardly has success story written all over it.

The citizenry has been similarly split about what should have been done with the empty lot kitty corner from city hall. It’s either a substantial opportunity to refocus downtown development, or better off as a carwash as long as the taxes get paid.

What is clear in this age of stretched government budgets and reduced roles for public administration is that private citizens and business owners alike will have to take a greater hand in building, maintaining, and promoting a community.

Or we can all wait for someone else to do it.

How’s that for inspiration?

(Collin Gallant is a News reporter. You can contact him by email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com)