‘Unquenched community spirit’

By Published by The Editorial Board

Published: June 11, 2008

As our community aspires to apply for All America City status in 2009, my family and I traveled to Tampa, Fla., last week to see the presentations from many of the 2008 applicant communities. I must tell you that the vast numbers of strong, vocal and passionate residents of Reidsville was wonderful to see. The judges were wowed, the other communities’ representatives were awed and the impressions left by your contingent will not be forgotten. All of the residents of Rockingham County, indeed – North Carolina – are proud of you all.
Although the prize at the end of the journey is the recognition, it is the journey itself that provides the long-lasting benefits with this process. The application process implores communities to take a critical look at the assets and challenges it faces. Bringing people of all ages and races to one table to review projects and ongoing initiatives can only be good for the community. I would imagine that, through Reidsville’s yearlong application process, people who would not have ordinarily had cause to work with each other, held figurative hands and perhaps healed many old wounds. Beth Simmons, your outstanding Chamber director, noted prior to realizing you had won the honor, “This has been such a unifying process, we are already winners regardless of what the outcome is.”
The honor does not mean that Reidsville is North Carolina’s Camelot, where everything is always just right. What the honor means is that you have an unquenched community spirit that shouts that you will proudly tackle issues as they arise and that you are committed to continuing to make Reidsville a wonderful place to live. Congratulations, Reidsville – you deserve it!
Sincerely,
David W. Bradley, president/CEO
Greater Statesville Chamber of Commerce