This anonymous piece appeared in the Lassen Advocate in 1924. I think it is timeless. What do you think?
“Is Susanville Different.” – When it comes to some needed civic improvement we often hear the expression ‘our town is different, it can’t be done.’ Then someone ventures that ‘there will be some funerals here before we can get this and that done.’
“Now the truth of the matter is, our town is no different from any other, unless, indeed, it is after all better than most towns. Human nature is same everywhere, and we are all human. What we should remember is this; our town is not different , because other towns have the same troubles as we do in bringing public opinion to the. point of civic action. Individual minds move faster than the entire body of people. Opinions differ even as to methods granting that it is mutually agreed as to the necessity for certain developments. After all, the campaign is wholesome. Time usually brings about the happy medium between conservative backwardness and on the other hand the headlong optimism on the other. Susanville will have all she needs-better streets, tree plantings, parks, playgrounds, better traffic regulations and other other community aspirations fulfilled if we will all buckle on the armor of civic righteousness and quit trying to excuse ourselves with word on thought that ‘our town is different, it can’t be done.’
“And as to necessity for a few funerals-we can not agree with that, neither can the so common expression be other than deplored. Instead of a few funerals, we would suggest a few births of civic interest on the part of a greater number of people who have so long stood on the side lines and watched a few of the community boosters carry all the load.”
Tim
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I think you are correct – this is a great and timeless piece.
Great context. I’m going to be sharing with my friends.
Surprisingly relevant. Thanks for sharing.
That entry into town is very attractive and I am sure it looked good facing West as well. We all have memories of a very attractive Susanville.
Yes, Susanville is not different. About 40 + years ago, Darwin Solis and I walked out from lunch at the St. Francis and observed a very, very large milk weed growing from a crack in the sidewalk across the way. This observation changed from determining/blaming who was responsible to spawning of “Susanville Pride,” an annual community cleanup day which attracted active participation by a multitude of community groups and individuals to “spruce up” Susanville. We moved away in the late 1980s. What happened?