Now is the time to beautify Goshen

Opinion

April 29, 2012

Now is the time to beautify Goshen

Anonymous THE GOSHEN NEWS The Goshen News Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:56 AM EDT

Jumping the gun? We don’t think so. Call us enthusiastic.

The way we look at it, “Beautify Goshen” should be a year-round theme. The official designation just happens to be May 5-12.

As such, consider this piece never more timely.

Beautify Goshen is annually organized by the Goshen Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber effort will be 10 years old this time around, meaning the Maple City has been blessed for 10 years by a worthy undertaking. Chamber officials spearhead Beautify Goshen, but their role is more of the cheerleader variety. This isn’t a top-down mandate. The real work is done voluntarily by Goshen’s homeowners and renters — all of us, potentially. We’re the ones who can clean windows, diminish yard clutter and otherwise spruce up the places we call home.

Perhaps the word “work” was ill-chosen. We should see it as more of an opportunity.

Beautifying Goshen isn’t something so dramatic as a new highway or a new factory with job opportunities coming to town. Rather, it’s about several small steps across many neighborhoods toward a greater good.

That greater good is how Goshen looks, and about how that appearance makes us feel as Goshen residents.

True, feelings are intangible and tough to objectively measure. But think about it: Do you want to live in a neighborhood full of unkempt properties and brimming with trash? Or would you rather live in an area where residents take pride in their properties, that pride reflected in basic maintenance, clean-up, etc.?

And are you willing to be the resident who took the small step toward a positive change?

Got old, worn and unneeded tires? You can take them to the Goshen Street Department at 475 Steury Ave. Got trash containable in an oversized trash bag? Thirty-gallon bags are available at the Chamber of Commerce at 232 S. Main St.

Got initiative? Service clubs, community organizations and other volunteers set to be part of Beautify Goshen circa 2012 do. We think you do, too. That’s one of many reasons The Goshen News is proud of Goshen.

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Now is the time to beautify Goshen

The U.S. Census Bureau reported last week that Goshen’s population increased to 32,064 in 2012. It’s the first time the city has eclipsed 32,000 residents. Do you think population growth is good for the city?

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