Unit 6

Adam DaSilva

Unit 6

                I live in the least populated county in the state of Kansas.  There is a saying around here that the jackrabbits have to carry canteens to get where they need to go.  Besides the fact that we are in an extremely dry area, once you get out of the city of Tribune the farm houses are few and far between. 

                Everyone in Tribune pretty much sticks together on a lot of issues.  Seems that people know when you’re going on vacation before you request one off.  In a lot of sense, it’s not that bad.  The one thing people can be proud of here is the hospital.  We are the only hospital in a 45 mile radius, and a good one at that.  We have a group of young doctors, and a few old ones left to keep the young ones in check.  One of the strongest focal points in our community is the church.  We have Roman Catholic, Baptist, and United Methodist.  Between these churches we have quite a few programs and other things going on to keep us busy.  We also have a “food pantry”.  This is where people can donate non perishable items for the needy.  Usually around Christmas time they go around to homes that need extra food and supplies to keep them going.  One of my most favorite things here is the Trap Shooting Club.  One of the only reasons we still have one is because we have a hometown hero that competes nationally in Trap Shooting.  He has been all American Team Captain numerous times and has been all around point’s winner too many times to count.  He really is one of the best. 

                I think the one common goal in our community is survival.  People leave here and no one comes in.  This is an issue that has plagued this community since the railroad stopped having the turnaround track here.  Used to be this was one of the most populated counties in western Kansas.  We had a YMCA and numerous railroad houses here that kept our population alive.  The one issue we have finally passed is to allow SeaBoard to come and put up hog barns.  This will create at least 35 more jobs here, and will bring more people in to help with the tax situation. 

                One amazing story that needs to be told is when we had a blizzard New Year’s day in 2007.  It had snowed over 14 inches and then the wind started blowing.  We had lost power to numerous country houses and had to get it restored.  So many people that could help did.  Farmers were digging their tractors out to help plow the roads to get to stranded houses.  We never once asked for the government or state assistance.  We all just knew what needed to be done and we did it.  No one asked for payment when they did this either.  I am proud to be a part of a community that will help you and not ask for help in return. 

                The community I am the closest to is the town and social activities.  When we have projects going on here it really takes a lot of people to lend a hand and to help with more ideas.  We had just recently purchased the movie theater that used to be owned by a private owner, now it belongs to the city.  It took a lot of people and even more community service hours to renovate it.  The upkeep on it is strictly community service members, and the hours to run the snack stand and the movie reels are all donated time.    

                The one thing that we need most here in Tribune is a Community Day Care facility.  We do have day care providers but they are usually too full to handle any more children.  I have decided that I will push this issue with commissioners because I have three children that need a day care provided for them.  If I was to be the administrator of this day care I would have lots of ways to bring creativeness out of the children.  The building I am thinking about proposing to the commissioners leaves a lot of room to work with when it comes to art.  We don’t have any art on display in our community, so this will be a good start.  I would picture a huge American Flag on the front of the brick building, and maybe some type of mural.  A community story that is told through artwork will be tough.  I know we are all patriotic and mostly conservative Republican, most people don’t view art as I do now.  I do know that the daycare would have to strive to develop self esteem and self worth.

                Tory Read also has an awesome idea that I would like to see here in Tribune because of all the old buildings that still stand.  Most of the owners must view the buildings as a part of our history but most of them are very dilapidated and have no purpose in our community.  I would like to at least see them remodeled, and if all fails they need to be torn down.  Most of all I would like a community project that aims at getting our community closer.