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What are you doing or What can we do to help?

Anne Miller

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posted 4 years ago

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I have always lived in the country except when I was a young wife and mother so I am not familiar with "City Repair".

My closest town has about 7 people. The two nearest towns where the gas stations are located makes it a 60-mile trip.

I was looking for examples of what City Repair is so I found this amazing website:

https://cityrepair.org/

There is a blog that shows some of their wonderful projects:

https://cityrepair.org/blog/?offset=1476680700997

Here are some pictures I found on Pinterest:

Since I live too far from the towns in my area I decided to show my support by subscribing to the local newspapers. I know they are trying to keep people informed on locale happenings.

These communities did pull together to help keep the school children with meals and to keep meals on wheels going.

This thread offers some suggestions on what we can do:

https://permies.com/t/137030/Supporting-local-small-businesses-community

What are some of the things you are doing, have done or what suggestions would you offer?

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

T Blankinship

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posted 4 years ago

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Anne Miller wrote:
What are some of the things you are doing, have done or what suggestions would you offer?

What are you doing?
I work for a small city of about 2,000. I have many jobs and sometimes it can be overwhelming. I get involved in groups and events that I view as fun and good.

What can we do to help?
The another sad and sometimes madding side of working in a city is when building are torn down. Empty lots are common and the city mows them. In my view I one wants to help there city run for office. Get involved and slowly try to make your city better. If you do not want to get political join a group or committee that is inline with what you want to do.

You should never forget that every creature has its purpose in the cycle of nature and can also be very important to humans. Sepp Holzer's Permaculture

Anne Miller

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T Blankinship said I one wants to help there city run for office

I did just that. I ran for the School Board and dear hubby ran for County Commisioner.

Have you run for a public office?

My "City" has 7 people so I support the local Post Office by buying all my stamps there.

The only other business is a State Park so I spend my money there.

I have always been in favor of supporting local businesses by buying from them.

Anne said Since I live too far from the towns in my area I decided to show my support by subscribing to the local newspapers. I know they are trying to keep people informed on locale happenings.

Can you think of something else that I could do?

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Jim Gruber

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posted 4 years ago

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Wonderful photos of community efforts in US cities/towns...working to make these communities healthier! I was able to collect and publish 26 case studies of innovative communities in the US and other parts of the world ... that made a difference. Some of these communities have very few financial resources but high community social capital. I think you will find these stories encouraging. I have summaries of them and a few full stories on our book's website: https://buildingcommunity12principles.squarespace.com/

I hope this inspires and give you hope.

Jim

P.S. I used to be a town manager in Vermont. I love local community efforts!

Dustin Rhodes

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Location: San Diego, California

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This site:

https://www.strongtowns.org/

Has a ton of information about how to design and run cities to be more productive, more pedestrian/small business friendly town squares, and how to expand/grow cities and town in a more cost-effective manner. really good stuff, even if you don't agree on some of their philosophy of government.

Growing on my small acre in SW USA; Fruit/Nut trees w/ annuals, Chickens, lamb, pigs; rabbits and in-laws onto property soon.
Long term goal - chairmaker, luthier, and stay-at-home farm dad. Check out my music! https://www.youtube.com/@Dustyandtheroadrunners

Anne Pratt

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Hi Anne,

It seems to me that a town with pop. = 7 is more of a neighborhood. The local school district might be more like a town, and you've been active with them. Maybe volunteering in the school, or creating a tiny library, could be a really local project.

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/little-free-library-plans-1357149

Our small town (pop. = 666 in 2010) has an annual Greenup Day, where we collect trash from the sides of the road in specially designated bags (and the dump takes them for free!). We also have many gatherings, of the historical society, ice cream socials, and outdoor movie nights. It's hard to think about a town of 7, though - I can see why you reach out for new ideas!

. . . bathes in wood chips . . .

T Blankinship

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Anne Miller wrote:

T Blankinship said I one wants to help there city run for office

I have not ran for a public office but I have though about. I am the head chair of the Friends of the Library and I have served on the Tree Board. As a city employee if I was to run for office I would have to quit my job. I like serving on boards because in my view everyone wants to be there and politics take a back seat.

You should never forget that every creature has its purpose in the cycle of nature and can also be very important to humans. Sepp Holzer's Permaculture

Anne Miller

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T Blankinship wrote: I am the head chair of the Friends of the Library and I have served on the Tree Board. As a city employee if I was to run for office I would have to quit my job. I like serving on boards because in my view everyone wants to be there and politics take a back seat.

Being Head chair for the Friends of the Library and being on the Tree Board says a lot. I didn't even know there was a Tree Board. Good for you.

The thing about being on a Board is that you make some great friendships and also connections with people in political positions so that if you decide to run for office, later on, you will have some support.

After the election, we made friends with the current County Commissioner, who was reelected.

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Anne Miller

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Location: USDA Zone 8a

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Anne Pratt wrote:It seems to me that a town with pop. = 7 is more of a neighborhood.

Anne, I have not lived inside the city limits of a town in many many years. I am 7 miles from this little one. Probably the only reason this is a "town" is that it has a post office. It also has a fire department, two churches, and a state park. There was a business that wanted to be a wedding venue using one of the churches tough I never see anyone there so I don't think it worked out for them. A tiny store that had country-western bands every so often seems no longer there.

Invasive plants are Earth's way of insisting we notice her medicines. Stephen Herrod Buhner
Everyone learns what works by learning what doesn't work. Stephen Herrod Buhner

Anne Pratt

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Posts: 431

Location: Hudson Valley, New York, USA

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I thought Vermont was rural! I imagine that self-sufficiency really means something when you're that far from stores. Although I live in a pretty small town, I can get what I need three miles away at the general store.

I think it takes deep self-reliance to live far apart from other people, not just regarding self-sufficiency, but the ability to keep oneself company, and hold things together emotionally, even if life in the family is sometimes rocky.

. . . bathes in wood chips . . .

I'm sure glad that he's gone. Now I can read this tiny ad in peace!

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