Be honest. When you look at Ironton, you see what once was, what could be and what you want to see.

The opportunities abound for our small historic city. Much too often, we begin our thoughts with “what THEY should do is …” or “If it were me, I’d …”

I pose this question to you. Who are “they?”

With hardworking groups including Ironton In Bloom, the Friends of Ironton, Ironton aLIVE and local business owners all trying to make a difference in our community, the common factor that is missing is the “they.”

From the Gus Macker basketball tournament to the IIB flower sale and yard tour, to the Rally on the River, the one thing that is necessary are “they.”

I challenge all Irontonians, and anyone else interested in the betterment of our community to become part of “they.”

All of the events that bring people to Ironton to show off our city, starts with a bunch of “they’s.” One of my grandpa’s favorite sayings was, “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.”

Although maybe a touch extreme, the idea is to get out and help, to show your sense of pride in the place you call home.

I think my new favorite saying is, “Be the change you want to see.”

This sums it up. Be a “THEY.”

I would like to create a volunteer database. A list of people who would be willing to help in some manner when these great organizations need some help.

It could be as simple as sweeping a sidewalk, or as involved as utilizing your technical experience. You can decide what you would help with and what you would rather not.

No pressure. But let’s commit to being the change we want to see for our city.

Please contact me, and let me know if you would be willing to be an aLIVE volunteer. It’s as simple as an email to jonrferguson@yahoo.com

Ironton aLIVE is a non-profit corporation with the purpose of encouraging and stimulating commercial growth in the City of Ironton and promoting Ironton as a great place to live, work and do business.

 

Jon Ferguson is the executive director of Ironton aLIVE. He can be reached at jonrferguson@yahoo.com