As I've admitted, I tend to see things differently than most. (For the record, not just regarding civic engagement or community issues. I recently expended a fair amount of energy trying to explain my perspective on Love to a friend...and I still don't think she 'gets' my beliefs.) Part of this can be attributed to the fact that I'm a writer. A storyteller. And therefore situations often appear differently for me, if only because I see the different threads of the tale, the contributing factors and how they hang together.
And I also fervently believe in the human spirit, the desire to 'do good'...as well as happy endings. Suitably, all of these are vital elements of making for a better Hamilton.
As part of the conversations I've had lately about littering and how to address it, I've been reminded of the cinematic tradition of 'transformation'. It's one of the oldest and consistent themes. In fact, it's present in almost all tales to one extent or another. So when I look at 'making things better' in a community, bringing about a different sort of engagement, I can't help but think in terms of how people are transformed, what makes them change, what makes them want to become something other than what they are, what they have been.
So two concepts came to mind. The first is from the 'If I Won The Lottery' jar. The second is of the 'A Stranger Comes to Town' ilk.
In the first one, someone pays for a special project in a neighbourhood in Hamilton. One that's lost its lustre. This person arranges for 'special treatment' for the place. They would fund, for six months, all the 'extras'. So all the streets' lines are painted. All cross-walks, too. All the street signs are replaced. New neighbourhood signs put up, showcasing the area. City maintenance crews cleaning up more regularly. They'd be nit-picking in their attention. They arrange for a co-op/make-work programme for fixups; a $500/house max, tying in the permit department at City Hall, various tradespeople, suppliers, etc. Landscaping and general 'beautification' efforts are set in motion; ground cover and flowers and hanging baskets. And maybe some street parties. Culminating in a neighbourhood festival.
The second one is a little less 'showy'; a stranger moves into a neighbourhood and makes a point of 'improving' their building. Really shining the place up. But they quickly run afoul of the bylaw officers and the situation grows out of all proportion and he ends up in jail. They're bailed out by the very neighbours who hadn't trusted them...after which the residents begin doing stuff, and the tone spreads and spreads and spreads...
Naturally, the results are the same: an increased pride-of-place, of self-esteem, of community connection.
Not surprisingly, more voters head out to the polls at election time.
And there's no litter.
: )
This isn't 'rocket science' stuff. It's a question of finding what's required to turn around someone's perception of themselves, of their community, of where they sit within the bigger picture.
It's about inspiration.
It's about motivation.
It's about empowerment.
It's about pride, respect, esteem, all the things that when in play, effectively make null and void so many negatives becoming predominant parts of lives.
In each community, the 'formula' is different. The makeup of the people is different, as are their needs, their challenges, so the solutions are different, too.
But I'm pretty convinced that regardless of the formula, residents must be the ones stirring the pot. We shouldn't need a government agency or a politician nudging us towards a better mindset. They're great if they appear and if they work...but in the end, these are our streets, they're our neighbourhoods, this is our city.
M Adrian Brassington
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