Planting solid seeds for the future an important ingredient for Hays

Bringing up the conversation of “progress” amongst family and friends, you certainly get a variety of opinions. Some view progress positively and some negatively.

Opinions vary based on what aspect of the community you are talking about, i.e. government, jobs, humanity. I define progress as “planting seeds for the future.” That definition and philosophy fits all categories. Few in our community desire to plant “weeds” that choke the life out of our community, and we know that planting “nothing” will certainly lead to extinction. Instead we need to plant and cultivate “harvestable” plants that are “life-sustaining and enriching.”

Where do I believe we have planted good seeds, and where do we still need to till the soil?

Let's start with city government. Reviewing last fall's election, it appears that replacing the general fund property tax with sales tax was progressive thinking. Long-term effects of this harvest will be bountiful. We've resolved long-standing disputes with our sewer district neighbors. We've completed road work improvements including Hall Street and have others progressing or planned.

Other progressive seedlings include lowering our fire rating, creating an economic development policy and renovating the Hays Public Library. We made huge strides and progress regarding water issues, even with distractors and critics. In short, city government is becoming more efficient and responsive.

The next plantings to discuss is jobs, but first it is important to recognize the farmers: the Ellis County Coalition for Economic Development, Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, Heart of America Development Corp., Downtown Hays Development Corp., Fort Hays State University, Ellis County, city of Hays, and every business owner in our community. Without these “farmers” working collectively and independently, none of our job “seeds” would have been planted or grown.

You don't have to look too closely to see these plants growing. Some examples are: N.E.W. Corp., Home Depot development, growth at FHSU, Hays Medical Center, A-1 Plank, Adronics-Elrob and Enersys, and the expansion of every new and existing businesses in our community. While there are some “crops” like high-tech and high-wage jobs that are still being cultivated, it is exciting to see the “farmers” working together to feed the community.

Lastly, the most important “crops” in our community are our family, friends and neighbors. This community is graced with schools such as Hays USD 489, TMP-Marian and Holy Family. We have caring and giving social service organizations. We are blessed with sincere, spiritual and moral leadership from the clergy and staff of our churches.

But sadly, the most important “seeds,” the ones involving people's hearts and lives, are the ones that get the least attention and public focus. The Ministerial Alliance, First Call For Help, Community Action Coalition of Ellis County and others are quietly, successfully administering to “tender plants” in our community.

In our busy society, where success is defined by careers and work instead of hearts and souls, where many families are broken or in need of help, where helping our neighbor only happens when it's convenient, and where we put society norms ahead of our principles, we obviously need to become more focused on plowing the weeds so hearty plants can grow. We do need to focus more “progress” in this area of our community. All of us, regardless of resources, can become good stewards of these crops. At our final harvest, these are the crops that will matter.

My comments demonstrate that I believe our community and citizens have prospered, grown and bloomed because our community's “farmers” have taken progress seriously. This is a dynasty, we need to pass on to future “planters,” so every generation can have bountiful harvests.

Troy Hickman is a Hays city

commissioner.