Last Thursday, my children were late to school. Not because they overslept or were not feeling well. In fact, they were up and dressed and sitting at the dining room table when we should have been rushing out the door to school.
Instead, they stayed home a few extra minutes because we were writing letters to our U.S. Senators and congressional representative.They were not told what to write, but rather to just share their feelings about what was going on in the world and how they felt their representative was doing. The letters were mailed the same day and they left with a civics lesson for the day.
While it is important to stay informed and stay in contact with our national leaders, I am going to start a new practice with my youngest children beginning next month: attending local governmental meetings.
There is no reason that more of us shouldn’t be attending these meetings, whether city council, school board or county commissioners.
I realize this can be time consuming and perhaps not terribly exciting, but these people are making decisions which affect each and every one of us, each and every day.
While national politics may grip the headlines, we actually need to put more focus on our local leaders. Because at the end of the day, local issues and local leaders have more of an impact on our lives than any national figure ever will.
And it’s not that hard, when you know the schedule..
The McCook City Council meets on the first and third Mondays at 5:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers in city building. The McCook School Board meets on the second Monday at 6:30 p.m., usually in the junior high conference room but the high school conference room has been used lately for additional space.
And the Red Willow County commissioners meet every Monday at 9 a.m. in the courthouse. All of these meetings are open to the public and have agendas published before the meeting. But even if there isn’t something on the agenda which peaks your interest, it never hurts just to show up and see how a meeting runs, learn what is going on and see your local leader face-to-face.
And on the state level, the McCook Chamber of Commerce hosts weekly conference calls with State Senator Dan Hughes, every Thursday morning during the legislative session. This is a wonderful opportunity to have a “face-to-face” conversation with our local representative. And the visit is not just an aide or a representative of the representative but Senator Hughes calling from his office at the state capital.
Here’s a simple test, can you name one, two or all six of the McCook school board members? Can you name three of the five city council members? Do you know which of the three county commissioners serves your district? Take the time to find out who is making decisions on your behalf and what those decisions are.
And mark your calendars for Thursday, Feb. 18, when the city of McCook will host a town hall meeting at the McCook Auditorium. This will be a perfect opportunity to share your views about what you would like the city to accomplish over the next few years, decade or even the next generation.
While we can and should try to do many things through the private sector, these local officials control millions of tax dollars. They make the decisions which will affect our community for generations to come.
Your voice matters. Your ideas matter. You can make an impact simply by showing up or reaching out and being heard, especially on the local level.
Most likely, we aren't going to be good at something at the start. But that shouldn't stop us from trying.
August 2025 Volunteer of the Month Bruce McDowell can be found walking around McCook for his health, to be helpful or maybe even attend a meeting.
It takes work and effort to be social but its vital to our community.
McCook's young people are shaping their hometown through a various projects.
MCFF Summer Hometown Intern Natalie Roberts shares how her perspective on McCook changed over the past few months.
With the McCook Aquatic Center closing soon for the season, another tradition - Mr. Bill and his 25-cent snow-cones - will likely be coming to an end soon too.
McCook among five Nebraska communities in Revitalize and Thrive Program
Getting Outside of National Night Out Nearly everyone can tell you their last interaction with the police or the fire department. And unfortunately because of the nature of the organizations, it is usually not at a positive moment. My last contact with the McCook Police Department was just a few weeks ago, when I was pulled over on B Street in McCook…on my scooter. I pulled into the wrong lane when making a turn, which is illegal. But in my defense, it was an act of self-defense to just get through the intersection of East B and Sixth streets alive. Since the drivers haven’t seen a stop-light since Holdrege, cars and semis regularly run the traffic light, which makes me a wee bit vulnerable as I pass through the lanes. I got off with a warning but the true punishment were the texts throughout the day from everyone who saw me with my scooter and the police officer. Since most exchanges with police and fire are not on good terms, National Night Out was created to have an evening of positive interactions, to remind the public that the police and fire departments are just normal people, doing their jobs, looking out for their friends and neighbors, trying to create a safe community for everyone. National Night Out is designed to simply join your friends and neighbors for an evening of fellowship and fun. It is an opportunity to meet local law enforcement, creating safer and more caring neighborhoods. McCook is joining thousands of other communities across the country in hosting National Night Out, which typically takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. Planned for Tuesday, Aug. 5 from 5:30-7 p.m. in and around Norris Park in McCook, the night includes a bike parade, a walk, awards for bike decorating, desserts and more. In other words, it is simply a block party to hang out. Numerous organizations have come together to make the evening possible. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and the McCook Rotary Club are hosting a bike parade that starts at 6 p.m. Linda Maiden with State Farm, a bicycle helmet advocate, will also be in Norris Park. The streets around Norris Park will be shut down to provide a safe area to ride, as well as more space to cruise around the block. Participants are encouraged to decorate their bike, scooter, roller skates or anything on wheels. This could mean streamers, pompom balls, markers or even the old classic - playing cards in the spokes of your wheels. Some supplies will be available at the park for use if you show up and realize you are the most underdressed person at the party. If your bike has an inch of dust on it, this is a great time to get it out, wipe it off and get it rolling. And if your bike needs minimal fixes like a flat tire or a brake adjustment, bike tools will be on hand along with myself and my hubbie, who know just enough about bike repair to be dangerous but did manage a 300-plus mile bike ride last week so we must be doing something right. But let’s say you don’t have a bike or biking isn’t your cup of tea? Then you are still encouraged to join the “Walk in the Park,” hosted by Community Hospital. Designed to encourage a healthy lifestyle, walkers will stroll around the park and the neighborhood at whatever pace you feel like with strollers and dogs on leashes welcomed. And perhaps most importantly, there will be a chance to meet members of the McCook Police and Fire Department, getting to see police cars and fire engines close-up in a non-emergency manner, always the best way to see them. And if the weather cooperates, there may be a fire hose, water and spraying involved. If you have been at the Culbertson Fourth of July parade, you know it is up to you to stay out of the line of fire if you want to remain dry. We all have excuses for why we don’t want to go out at night, especially after a long day at work. But National Night Out in McCook on Aug. 5 is a great reason to get out your bicycle and lace up your walking shoes. Hang out with your friends, get to know your neighbors and meet your first responders. That is what makes our communities just a little bit better.
Judy McCune named July 2025 McCook volunteer of the month
Joyce Anderson named June 2025 McCook Volunteer of the Month
