Positioning Danville for the future

To the editor:

A “world-class organization” — when we hear this phrase, different thoughts come to mind.

We probably think of companies, such as Ford or Apple. Perhaps we envision nonprofit organizations like United Way. Very few of us, however, are likely to conjure up the image of Danville when we think of a “world-class organization.” Despite this, that phrase has been the official motto of Danville’s government for years now.

When I see that phrase sprawled across signs and water towers in Danville, it strikes me in an odd way and always has. For one, is Danville an organization or a city? I’m not sure many of the citizens here feel as though they are part of an “organization.” Also, when I see a statement like that, it comes across almost arrogant to me. It seems to say “we’ve peaked,” when clearly Danville still has room for improvement. What message are we trying to send? I can’t imagine what potential employers from out of town must think when they hear that motto only to find a city that is riddled with double-digit unemployment, run-down buildings and for sale signs.

I say all of these things not to be negative but to take this opportunity to make a change for the better. Over the past year we have seen some positive steps take place for Danville. New businesses have begun to locate here, and thanks to the efforts of many people, our downtown is seeing more life than it has in years. Public participation in shaping our city’s future is on the rise, as well, thanks to the ever-expanding capabilities of technology and Internet pages such as “Moving Danville Forward,” which I created last year. It is because of this rapidly evolving transformation that Danville is under that I believe our city’s motto should reflect this transformation.

That is why I am suggesting that Danville City Council adopt a resolution to make “Moving Forward” the official motto for the city of Danville. I recently conducted a public survey online to see how people felt about this proposed change. The results were overwhelmingly in favor of ditching “A World Class Organization” with “Moving Forward.” As I said before, when I hear the current motto, I think of a place that has already reached the top of the mountain. I think of a place that has no room for improvement and has nothing left to achieve. When I hear “Danville: Moving Forward,” I think of improvement. I think of growth.

I think of better days ahead. It says to me that we are looking toward the future. That we aren’t satisfied with where we are. And honestly, I hope we never reach a place where we’re completely satisfied. We should always strive to be better. “Moving Forward” encapsulates that for me.

Personally, I don’t believe that Danville’s best days are already written in history books. I believe they still lie in the hearts and minds of its people. There is so much potential to be tapped within this community. I encourage all of you to stand up and speak out. Danville is truly at a crossroads in its history. There has never been a better opportunity in our lifetime to shape the future of this city than what we have right now. We must seize this opportunity, not only for our sakes but for future generations, as well. Danville’s future begins with all of us, and our future starts today.

LEE VOGLER

Danville