OUR VIEW: Now is great time to voice opinions about future of the valley

Do you think our roads could have less potholes, our community a little safer and our schools better funded? Are you tired of nobody listening to your opinion? Do you want to change Cache Valley for the better? You finally have a chance to get involved. This week an Envision Cache Valley workshop will be held at Utah State University, providing community members the opportunity to get involved with projects that will improve life in the valley. The workshop will be Wednesday, April 8 in the TSC Ballroom from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
    So you’re a student wondering how this really affects you? Well, if you have ever received a parking ticket after leaving your car out on a snowy road, or used the Cache Valley bus system to get around town, you must be there. In more ways than just these, you will be affected by the events of this workshop. Whether you are a student or resident, you have an obligation to be a part of the improvement planning of Cache Valley.
     When members of the community meet with planning officials in a setting poised to improve the quality of life, voices will be heard.
    But this will not be a forum for public grievances. The goal of the coalition is to improve the quality of life and plan for future growth, not to give away handouts or listen to whiners.
    Students and residents should understand that without proper planning of zoning, infrastructure, water usage and other issues, a community cannot thrive. Members of the community must become involved with the decisions regarding public schools, land use, infrastructure and so on. This is your chance. Now is the time. These types of meeting don’t come often. You should count yourself lucky, as it is often the unfortunate tendency of governments to make plans without much regard for the opinions and values of community members.
    We can all admit that Main Street is no expressway around quitting time and there are more than a dozen other issues in Cache Valley that need to be addressed. If you can’t make it to the meeting, go online to www.envisioncachevalley.com and take the survey. More information on the Envision Utah is available from their Web site at www.envisionutah.org.
    Community members who do not get involved or do not speak up on issues have no right to complain when the outcome is contrary to their wishes. The future of our community, state and nation will most likely turn out to be less than satisfactory if you don’t speak up now.