Sometimes I hate social media. When I think of all the good it could do and then I see all the bad being done, it can be demoralizing. Cyber bullying has even cost lives. The First Amendment guarantees the right, but conscience and character need to guide the content.So now that the City Council has approved spending leftover underpass construction money on the Bins of Light Project, it is for some, “open season” on stupid officials with twisted priorities who have no sense of what is or isn’t good art. It can make you frustrated or it can make you mad. It can even make you sad to consider there are some people who go through life with such a miserable outlook.

To those who choose the path of ridicule, negativism and insult I say thanks. Thanks for inspiring the rest of us to do more and do better. Thanks for helping to toughen our hides and helping us realize that we can never please all the people all the time and some of you none of the time!

Thanks for reminding us that it takes all kinds to make a community and that sometimes we want better for you and your neighbors than you do for yourself.

Thanks for reminding us that municipal government is ALWAYS more complex and confusing than you can imagine without being on the inside and that things are NEVER as simple as you want them to be -- but that lack of information and understanding will never be enough for some of you to stop and think before you accuse.

In my latest bout of frustration I ask: When are we going to acknowledge that while we do have problems -- like every other city -- we also have much progress and even more potential? When will we start to focus on that?

We know about the negative headlines. Some wallow in them for every conversation. But let’s not forget the positive reviews coming in for Yakima.

Where to Retire magazine recently listed Yakima as a great place to retire in the article "Eight Low-Cost Cities." The magazine based the ranking on cost of living, taxes and housing prices, as well as overall attractiveness and livability.

What do they see that we don’t?

Travel and Leisure online recently posted an article on "Best Desert Towns," saying …”the country’s top desert towns are reshaping the American West with cutting-edge art and great outdoor adventures.” Yakima is listed at No. 10.

We have the great outdoors …and fulfilling a promise to provide cutting edge art is what triggered this article in the first place!

Smarter Travel recently wrote an online article about up-and-coming smaller cities.  “Somewhere between quiet villages and metropolises that never sleep are these perfect up-and-coming American cities. With their revitalized downtowns, they're savvy enough to brew smooth craft beers, land touring Broadway shows, and attract Food Network-caliber chefs. But they'll welcome you with that unpretentious small-town warmth that automatically puts you at ease. Here are 10 terrific little cities, from Chattanooga to Yakima, and plenty of reasons why each one is worth a visit.”

Do you think all of those other towns are crime-free, have absolutely no graffiti, no homeless or any of the other challenges that face cities in America today? No. What they have is an organized effort and community commitment and support to try to be better. In short-a

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ll the negativism doesn’t help.

Didn’t your momma teach you that if you didn’t have something nice to say you should probably button your beak? Mom was right. Find something to be positive about. Post about that. There will be plenty of opportunities to show how snarky and clever you can be later on. But give Yakima a break for a while and maybe a bit of a push. Who knows what we can be if we all pull in a positive direction.

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