Meet your new community correspondent

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 13/05/2019 (2632 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As a longtime resident of South St. Vital, I’ve had a front-row seat to watch the growth and change in our corner of Winnipeg.

We enjoy a wonderful diversity of culture, of opinion, of thought, and of ideas.  We are a community that asks questions of our elected officials and of each other. We engage through social media, our neighbourhood associations, at public events and in public spaces. We care, we share, and we lend a hand when the need arises.

Some would argue that ‘community’, the connecting of families and people, just happens naturally, and that may be true. I’d suggest however, that it is built through commitment and getting involved. It is the sense of fellowship that evolves through shared goals, and common ideas and interests. This is evident in the school and community events continually taking place in our neighbourhoods, the volunteerism through which we provide support and give back, and the commitment of our community leaders to ensuring voices are heard. The desire for safe and vibrant communities certainly unites us, but it is in getting to know each other that common ground is found and celebrated.

I’m really looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you on a regular basis as a community correspondent. I truly hope you find what I have to say worth reading.

My goals are simple; to offer perspective, encourage debate, dialogue and conversation, and do whatever I can in my own small way to build community. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit nervous. However my sister would say, ‘go big or go home’, my folks would say ‘you’ll never know if you can do it unless you try’ and my son would say (said actually) ‘that’s really cool, Mom; what are you going to write about?’  

My reply to Nik’s question was that he will have to wait and see!   

Regardless of whether you are reading this in Norwood, Windsor Park, Sage Creek, River Park South, or any other area The Lance serves, I encourage you to embrace and support the community you are part of. Get to know your neighbours, the volunteers who are making a difference every day, and your community leaders, elected and otherwise. And yes, that is my way of also encouraging you to engage with your school board.  

Sandy Nemeth is a community correspondent for River Park South and chair of the Louis Riel School Board. Email her at snemeth8@mts.net