The kids are off school this week, so before we all scatter to chase turkey and Black Friday deals, I want to give some thanks and gratitude for the people who actually keep Columbia County running: the county employees who hold everything together, the folks who drag themselves to public meetings, and the voters (all 10 of you – insert sarcasm font) who showed up in the last election.
I want to start with the regulars at public meetings. I say this as someone who shows up myself, usually with a clipboard and plenty of questions and opinions nobody asked for. Showing up after a long workday when you’re tired and hungry isn’t glamorous. Those daytime meetings at 8:30 a.m. aren’t exactly a thrill ride either. And one day I may even make it to a 7:30 a.m. Economic Development Authority meeting, but I’ll probably need a coffee IV for that.
Still, a small number of folks show up regularly. Even when the topics are complicated or frustrating, residents show up to participate, ask questions, and pay attention. Even when we disagree, it’s healthier for our community when more people are engaged. With so many local newsrooms gutted, and even TV stations posting random crime stories from across the country just to chase clicks, our most active residents are keeping an eye on what’s actually happening right here at home. For that, I’mgenuinely grateful.
While we’re talking about participation, I have to give credit to the folks who voted in this past election. It saddens me that the turnout wasn’t exactly as robust as Times Square on New Year’s Eve. It resembled more of what you would expect from a lecture by the most boring professor ever, delivered in monotone. (No offense to any of my prior professors.) However, the people who did vote showed up, and that’s important. They wore their Georgia Voter stickers with pride, as they should have.
Local elections in off-years don’t get all the hype, but the stakes are often much higher than people think. These races are crucial because the elected officials who win them determine issues such as utility rates, school policies, zoning, development, and library matters. These elections are for officials who make decisions that affect your daily life far more than whatever Congress is arguing about on TV. I know national politics matter too, and they frequently influence the local conversation, but I hate that we give so much attention to Washington and completely ignore our own backyard. Every election matters.
I also want to give a genuine thank you to our poll workers and elections staff. Most people have no idea how much coordination, planning, and stamina it takes to run an election. Sit through a Board of Elections meeting, and you’ll realize that even finding good polling locations in fast-growing Columbia County can be a challenge. (This ties back to why local elections and growth planning are essential.) Our elections staff handle long days, complicated procedures, and every kind of voter question imaginable. They somehow manage to do it with patience, professionalism, and a smile.
Since we’re on the topic of people who keep this county running, I want to take a moment to appreciate our public school and county employees, the true unsung heroes of local government. These are the folks pulling their hair out trying to get Open Records Requests out, preparing meeting packets, untangling policies, dealing with the logistics of an emergency exit door converted into a regular entrance, and the lock is not quite working. (Yes, I’m aware that the last example is oddly specific. If you know, you know. LOL) I’m also talking about educators and school staff navigating the chaos that defines December, and about the first responders who keep us safe and manage emergencies with calm professionalism. The public works crews who show up no matter what to fix something broken. I’m also talking about the librarians who have been navigating a year that feels like someone tossed their entire professional life into a blender. I’ll even give a shout-out to the tax office folks, because nothing says “dedication to public service” like dealing with property assessments and confused residents who swear there is no way in h— that house down the street sold for that much, and what does that have to do with my bill? These employees handle questions and complaints from all directions and keep the county functioning anyway. If residents are the heartbeat of our local community, public employees are the circulation system keeping everything moving.
Now, part of appreciating our community also means participating in it. And no, that doesn’t mean quitting your job to become a full-time activist, or memorizing Robert’s Rules of Order (although after sitting at these meetings, it would be nice if someone would), or showing up at every meeting with a color-coded binder. Although if you do show up with a color-coded binder, sit next to me so we can compare notes.
Participation can be simple. Show up when you can. Ask a question (or five) when something doesn’t make sense. Voice your opinions through an email or public comment. Vote when there’s an election (especially the small ones!) because that’s where your vote counts the most. If you can survive Washington Road during rush hour, you can absolutely survive a local ballot in an off-year. Further, if you can binge-watch six hours of holiday baking shows, you can handle a 30-minute agenda item at a public meeting. Something happens, too, when we all sit in a room together and openly discuss issues: sometimes we might see eye to eye on things. We also end up seeing each other as humans and neighbors with different views rather than enemies.
When more people participate, even in small ways, it strengthens our sense of community and helps weave this county together. That’s something I’m grateful for, and I hope we keep building on it.
The next Columbia County Board of Commissioners meeting is on Dec. 2, at 6 p.m. in the Government Complex Auditorium located at 630 Ronald Reagan Drive.
The next Columbia County Board of Education meeting is on Dec. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at 4781 Hereford Farm Road.
I hope to see you there!
Karin Parham is a former military officer and currently serves as the CEO of the Freedom to Read Coalition of Columbia County and as treasurer of the Columbia County Democratic Committee. She writes a Substack about current issues in Columbia County.
