Jonathan Meyer.

With a wacky college schedule, I have been blessed with a week off campus. I admit, I keep myself way too busy in my day to day life but this week has been a nice change of pace. A combination of doing nothing and being home has created a good environment for noticing what’s going on around me.

One of the few things that I have done this week is run. I’m sure you’ve seen me at some point running down the sidewalk or on the left side of the street. It’s been nice to re-explore some of my favorite spots in the community. Yesterday I did a workout at Toledo Heights because there was a middle school track meet happening. Little did I know that rec-softball was up and running. All the kids getting active and enjoying sports with their friends really got me through the prescribed workout.

In my exploration I visited what I now refer to as Cherry Desert. A big thought I’ve had with what once was Cherry Lake, is all the trash sitting in the dried up bed. I think a nice afternoon with some volunteers picking up the litter and garbage sitting at the bottom of the lake could be a great service project for the area. We all enjoy walking around the lake, let’s step up and take some pride in keeping the area clean. I’d be more than willing to organize an event and get the ball rolling if people are interested in helping. After all, it was Earth Day this week!

Being around has left me with some time to think about a pretty big question: How do we build community? That’s a loaded question for sure. My mind drifts to some of the Egg hunts this weekend, people gathered with their families in order to have a good time (with the incentive of candy). It was nice to see young parents and children out having fun in town but how do we bridge enjoyment into community pride? How do we foster a love of Tama-Toledo into young people? I think part of the answer to those questions is offering more opportunities to be involved and opportunities to lead.

So often our community gets wrapped into the same people being in charge of everything. Don’t take that as a dig, take that as an acknowledgement of hard work and dedication. A problem with the same group of people always assuming leadership is this feeling of being comfortable. A feeling of being comfortable with things the way they are. That last sentence is one of the grossest things I have ever written, such a disgusting fixed mindset. My vision for our community is one of leaving things better than when you found them. I think we can do better, I really do. I understand I have thrown some loaded questions out this week. I hope you can think deeply about these questions I’ve brought up.

Being quite honest with everyone, I feel guilty pretty often about being away at college and throwing out my grand ideas for Tama-Toledo. You might think “Of course it’s easy for the person who is an hour away to suggest these grand ideas that won’t ever happen”, at least that’s what the doubt inside my head says. It is my hope and my desire to continue progressing as a community in order to make Tama-Toledo the best that it can be for everyone that lives here, both now and into the future. It’s on all of us to continue pushing for a better community and a better world.

As always I’d love feedback and welcome your criticism. Leave a comment on Facebook or shoot me a message at 641-481-1979, your opinions matter!

Until next week, I’m Just Jonathan

Jonathan Meyer is a 2022 STC graduate who currently attends Wartburg College. With passion for his community, Jonathan continues to serve as a correspondent and columnist with the News-Chronicle. Just Jonathan was recognized in the 2024 Iowa Newspaper Association’s Master Columnist competition.