Viewpoints Board
The Community Viewpoints Board advises the Register Star on the Editorial Agenda and on topics of the day. They are conservatives, liberals and independent. Some are retired. Others are doctors, teachers, pastors, social workers and marketing specialists. Several members of the board agreed to blog on rrstar.com. They’ll share their views here on local issues. Their thoughts – as well as the opinions of other board members – also will appear with other opinion content online and in the newspaper in the Opinions section.

Igniting Change

March 31st, 2008 at 11:29pm Erin Werthman

I was at a board meeting last week at a popular local restaurant in downtown Rockford, when the business owner made a very profound statement when asked why he decided to open a restaurant in our community. He stated that, “Rockford was a jewel of a community that more people need to discover,” and that “we as a city need to change our perception of how we think of ourselves in order to grow.” He’s exactly right.

Rockford does have so much to offer to outside visitors, individuals looking to establish their own businesses, companies wanting to expand, and even new families building their first homes. We need to invite visitors to see what a jewel of a community Rockford truly is, and our residents need to open their eyes to what we have around us.

This business owner had such conviction and passion when he talked about our community, that it was infectious. He believes so deeply in what Rockford can truly become, and he’s influencing everyone around him in order to ignite change. That’s what we all need to do – find a way to positively influence and find a way to ignite a positive dialogue. I know that it will take more than a little positive thinking in order to help turn things around for the better, but establishing a dialogue is always the right place to start.

So I thank that business owner who is doing his part to start the conversation. And, I challenge the rest of Rockford to begin doing the same.

Erin Werthman

Entry Filed under: Uncategorized

2 Comments Add your own

  • 1. Brian Maier  |  April 1st, 2008 at 7:29 am

    I agree, Erin! I used the phrase “the best kept secret” around when I was talking to a group of NIU student teachers about where to look for teaching jobs. Great neighborhoods, great people, and a true community (as opposed to the unattached, crowded, unemotional feel of the suburbs). Of course, I want the secret out because, like you, I want to change the perceptions than many people have about Rockford.

  • 2. Raymond C. Garcia M.D.  |  April 2nd, 2008 at 5:41 pm

    One of the most common statements I hear from Rockford residents (and I admit I have been guilty of this at times as well) when talking about the city’s assets is, “Chicago is only 90 miles away and Madison is even closer” — or some variation of this theme. I’ve said it to doctors when I am trying to recruit them to Singer or to the College of Medicine. It’s time that we begin to look at our region for what it offers on its own. Sure I enjoy visiting Chicago and Madison, but how can we get others to appreciate the Rock River Valley if we do not appreciate the area on its own merits without deferring to these other communities? I for one will watch how I sell Rockford from now on and let the Chicagoans and Madisonites (?) sell themselves.

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