All-America pride

By John Trump

Published: April 23, 2008

Reidsville’s status as an All-America City would be significant in a number of ways. The obvious benefit is the recognition itself, and the opportunity to promote the accomplishment through signs, promotional material and city letterhead.
And it certainly would not hurt Reidsville’s chances of recruiting new industry and business, which would in turn bring workers to the city, and those workers would contribute to the economy and culture—through the churches, the arts, youth programs, etc.
The city is one of 17 finalists for the award, and that’s not happenstance. Led by Beth Simmons and the Chamber of Commerce, a group of city leaders – in business, schools and government – worked diligently in meetings, as well as completing applications and promoting the city’s attributes to the National Civic League.
The group singled out the Reidsville Outreach Center, the Free Clinic of Rockingham County and the Reidsville Teen Center. The Outreach Center feeds about 250 people each week, and it also helps families with things such as electric bills. The Teen Center, which recently opened a new facility, was established to guide young people away from the streets by providing counseling and activities after school. And the Free Clinic provides medical care for people who would otherwise go untreated. The organizations depend on volunteers, and their service is commendable and invaluable. The city should be proud.
The final phase of the All-America competition happens the first week of June in Tampa, Fla. Reidsville wants to send a contingent to Florida that represents Reidsville’s current work and its vision for the future, and the city and Chamber are asking business and city leaders to help sponsor the “trek to Tampa.”
As Simmons told us this week, “We’re up against some awful big cities. The larger communities have resources we don’t have, but we’ve been able to show how we use the resources we have to better our community.”
Simmons wants to continue this outstanding effort in Florida, and we all should do what we can to get Reidsville a place in the national spotlight.