The author, David Smith, is Mt. Gilead town manager.

We are a community in flux with so much opportunity. We show up to the meetings, we get involved, we talk about being different and being proactive and yet when there is talk of bold change, of the moments of real proactive change, we seem to get too busy. We get so occupied with stuff and things that we begin to make excuses and then nothing happens and, well, the great change/opportunity passes us by.

One of my favorite Bible passages is found in Numbers 13 and 14. The Children of Israel had been brought out of oppression to the edge of the Promised Land. That land that was promised by God was flowing with “milk and honey.” Yet, the majority decided to stay where they were, refusing to move forward, thus spending another generation wandering in the wilderness.  

Dear reader, we ALL are faced with the same opportunity. We are in the midst of great change that is taking place within our community, county and state. There is change approaching Mt. Gilead and Montgomery County even as we speak. So, the real question will be whether we coalesce around a common, proactive vision that has been established by our Mt. Gilead Comprehensive Plan, or will we choose to stay another generation where we are – wandering in the wilderness?

I have written about how “good enough” is not GOOD ENOUGH! Of how Mt. Gilead should not accept mediocrity or staying in the wilderness any longer. I am aghast at how a few business and property owners and residents in Mt. Gilead have chosen to remain in the wilderness. Substandard retail environments, the lack of quality retail products and clean/safe public amenities, a general lack of attention to the market needs of the citizens – these all provide for a poor representation and perception of the town’s potential. Many leaders for too long have turned a blind eye to the multitude of issues and opportunities faced by Mt. Gilead and have failed to address the quality-of-life issues in the town. 

Are you ready for the coming CHANGE to be addressed? Are you frustrated with retail selection in the town? Food selection? ABC selection? Education attainment? Housing attainment? Job attainment? Public safety? Recreation? Town cleanliness? Then SPEAK UP and STEP FORWARD! 

Volunteer to serve on the Recreation Committee! Volunteer to serve on the Community Appearance Commission! Volunteer to serve with your voice and actions!

Share your thoughts, ideas and voice! 

• Meet the mayor and manager at Highland on the first and third Wednesday mornings from 10 a.m. until noon!
• Want to meet? Call the manager to set up an appointment. Mt. Gilead needs your ideas, your thoughts, your willingness to embrace change and move forward. 

Remember, individual leaders cannot lead people any further than they have gone themselves. They simply cannot reproduce what is not there and they cannot give what they don’t have. But multiple talents and experiences of people that come together in a proactive and collective way can move from the wilderness to the promised land.