The Ask

"We need your help in Hopkinsville to pursue the highest quality of life for all of our residents."

It is a privilege to be allowed to serve a community; to commit one’s career to improving the quality of life for others is a calling.

It is a 24/7 obligation those of us who serve choose to do. The City of Hopkinsville’s government is never closed – we stand on the ready every day of the year. Our teams often leave their families to go protect the community’s families – and, again, it is a privilege to do so.

Public service is a relationship.

City employees must have a relationship with all residents to provide efficient and effective services to each family and neighborhood. While we do all that we can for each neighborhood in Hopkinsville, local government, like all forms of government, has its limitations. There is only so much we can do – we need the residents’ help. Jeff Siegler, the national downtown-revitalization expert, (who has visited Hopkinsville a couple of times) says a city must do everything it can “to get residents emotionally invested”, to bolster civic identity and strengthen the shared sense of belonging, pride, and responsibility that people feel toward their community.

Hence, the ask: We need your help in Hopkinsville to pursue the highest quality of life for all of our residents. It has been said the definition of society is other people. But the truth is, it is more than that. A society is a group of people with shared values, priorities, and the willingness to hold the highest standards for everyone in the community.

The Ask:

• Property maintenance. Taking care of your property affects the entire neighborhood. It raises the property value of everyone’s residences and evokes neighborhood pride, cohesiveness, and believe it or not, is a form of crime prevention;

• Working with the police. We need you to talk with the police. It is absolutely impossible for any police force to be everywhere at all times – we need the eyes and ears every single resident “If you see something, say something” is more than just a neighborhood association slogan, it is actually very powerful. Residents who actively participate in their neighborhood’s crime prevention are always rewarded with a reduction in crime;

• Work with the school system. Our teachers are the frontline of what makes our communities, states, and nation great. Consequently, like those individuals who work in public safety, the issues that negatively impact a neighborhood also roll back to the school system. Our teachers cannot do it alone – they need your active participation in the education process;

• Finally, get involved. The experiment we call a “participatory democracy” needs active participation. Government is best when residents are informed and involved. Volunteer on boards and commissions. Participate in cleaning up your neighborhood. Come to city council meetings. Work with public employees to improve neighborhood stabilization and public safety to promote the highest quality of life possible in Hopkinsville.

We are all quality-of-life officers in our city. Even the best government cannot do it alone. Therefore, we are asking for your help!

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