Build good habits by getting involved

Have you ever wanted an insider's look at the operation of Auburn and Opelika?

What would you do if you get important information before everyone else, like news of new restaurant openings or changes in city law?

This opportunity exists.

So if you haven't been to an Auburn or Opelika City Council meeting during your time at Auburn University, you should be ashamed.

I had only gone to one city council meeting in my life before I came to Auburn. Then, in my junior year, attending a meeting was required.

I didn't know what to expect, but one thing I certainly didn't expect was to be interested in it.

Maybe it's naivete, but it restores my faith in politicians to mayors Bill Ham and Gary Fuller and the respective city councils spending their time working out what's best for the loveliest village on the plains and her sister city.

Better still is the opportunity to voice my own opinion.

Some students may not even realize the opportunity provided by Citizens' Communications, but it's provided by each city council for citizens to bring their concerns before council.

In a span of five minutes, a person can get up and express their concern, interest or gratitude about whatever they like. It blows my mind to see the sincerity with which council members consider the matters that are important to the citizens whom they represent.

You won't have that easy of a time contacting your congressperson.

I've heard people use Citizens' Communications for a number of purposes--to request a new grocery store be allowed to open in their neighborhood; to ask the city for help with a nonprofit bike project; to urge the council to oppose the immigration bill. And we're not just talking Auburn residents with kids and houses and long-term residency--this is open to students as well.

So if you've ever thought, "Someone should really fix (xyz problem)," then ask yourself if you've taken advantage of the opportunity to express that problem to the people who can and want to make a difference.

City council meetings in both Auburn and Opelika take place the first and third Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m., in Auburn at the City Council Chamber at 141 North Ross and in Opelika at the City Hall's council chambers at 204 S. Seventh St. No need to dress nicely, just show up.

You may be thinking, "But I'll only be in Auburn four or five years. It's not worth it to get involved in city politics now."

The truth of it is, the habits you form now will follow you the rest of your life, and don't you want to be informed, no matter where you live or how long you live there?

Let's take involvement in city politics one step further.

President of the United States isn't the only office 'we the people' elect this year. Primaries are coming up March 13, and elected officials are vying for spots in Lee County as well.

Jon Chase or Bill English? Russell Bush or J. Gary Black? Harris or Rogers?

If you don't know who these people are, look them up. One or the other of them will soon be calling the shots in Lee County.

And it's not to late use your influence in deciding which one. To learn more about registering to vote in Lee County at least 10 days before an election, visit leeco.us/vr/index.html.

During the college years we put our time and energy into so many worthless, unfruitful activities. Before you graduate, why not get involved in something that matters?