| "AND IF WE'RE A
GREAT CITY, YOU HAVE TO HAVE INTELLECTUAL DISCOURSE. YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE
TO LET IDEAS FLOAT OUT THERE, HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT VOICES, SO IF
WE'RE TO LIVE UP TO BEING A GREAT CITY, THEN YOU HAVE TO GET A LOT OF
PEOPLE ENGAGED IN FINDING OUT WHAT IS WRONG."
DOUGLAS BRINKLEY |
| Our
goal is a simple one:
To make DeRidder the cleanest, most beautiful city it can be. We will need physical work. We will need intellectual work. We will need city-wide participation. The city belongs to you, the people. It is yours to dress up. City government stands ready to act on your suggestions. Can we get the grass out of the streets? Yes! Can we mow the vacant lots? Yes! Can we demolish the derelict abandoned houses? Yes! Can we crush the abandoned automobiles? Yes! We can do all of these things, but we need you to tell us where to work. And cleaning the city is just the beginning. We need to help her look her best. We need to add color, to plant and to paint. We need to restore and preserve. We need to educate. DeRidder's appearance is a reflection of our values. That reflection should not be one of uncaring and neglect. Pride of ownership can be contagious, and it needs to begin with us. Let's get excited about a better DeRidder, and let's pass it on. Our goal is a simple one: We cannot be satisfied when someone says DeRidder is a good place to live. We want to hear, "DeRidder is the best place to live." The job is ours, let's do it. |