Guest Column: Scrooge, diversity, poverty, and bounty in Citrus Heights

Guest opinion column submitted by David Warren–

My past columns intended to stimulate discussion on municipal government issues, even if disagreeable or uncomfortable. And I am grateful that in Citrus Heights we are, without fear of reprisal, able to suggest a better resolution of municipal issues, which then provides those that disagree the opportunity to propose an opposite view hopefully with the result of a best, not always “correct,” solution.

At this time of year, it is better to look to the future, not the past, at what we can do to make our community and city council more inclusive.

We should all reflect upon Charles Dicken’s spirits of Christmas, where the spirit of Christmas present revealed to Scrooge two emaciated children, and names the boy as “Ignorance” and the girl as “Want.”

Scrooge is warned by the spirit, “Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom unless the writing be erased.” The spirit also quotes Scrooge, who asks if the grotesque children have “no refuge, no resource,” and the spirit retorts with more of Scrooge’s own words: “Are there no prisons? Are there no workhouses?”

Scrooge is next visited by the spirit of Christmas future and begs for another chance to redeem his life, saying, “Assure me that I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!” Scrooge then awakes to find that the spirit’s hand has become his bedpost and that he is back in the present on Christmas morning. Along with the visions supplied by the spirits of past and future, the spirits’ warnings transform Scrooge into a better man.

Even as we rejoice in the bounty which we have been given in Citrus Heights, we can also be transformed into better people by not forgetting and joining together to help those in Citrus Heights who suffer from mental disease, habituation and homelessness. Whether it be homelessness, civic infrastructure repairs, or habituation issues, Citrus Heights — instead of following — should be the county leader solving these problems by being the catalyst for change.

One of the bounties we enjoy is that our municipal government is large enough to provide all necessary municipal services, yet small enough to allow any resident to obtain information from a willing and helpful municipal employee. Despite some individuals’ articulated concerns, our police department is small enough to allow residents to obtain a response within a reasonable period of time by a knowledgeable and well-trained officer. We sleep safely at night because of the municipal employees whom we often take for granted but to whom we forget we owe so much.

Another bounty is the diversity seen throughout our city.

Walking through a warehouse store in Citrus Heights allows one to hear people speaking in languages from all over the world. We can enjoy food from Armenia to Ziyang, China, and everywhere in-between on Sunrise Boulevard.

The city’s successful integration of diversity is the actual greatest success at reaching 20 years of cityhood, but unfortunately, as demonstrated by the failure at the 20-year anniversary party in the park and the 20-year remembrance programs at the start of city council meetings, Citrus Heights can and must do better to acknowledge our community’s diversity. For the lighting of the city’s Christmas tree this year, one can only hope that a representative diversity of our residents will be invited to speak at the ceremony, which has not occurred in past years.

Regardless of the name of what or whoever we call upon for comfort and strength in our hour of need, this holiday season, may “The Lord bless you and keep you; The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you; and The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.”

“z Rizdvom Khrystovym and Z Novym Rokom,” “S Rozhdestvom Khristovym and S Novym Godom,” “Feliz Navivad y Feliz Navidad y próspero año nuevo,” Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays to all in Citrus Heights. And, although late, “Ramadan Mubarak.”

David Warren is a Citrus Heights resident and legislative advocate at the State Capitol with Taxpayers for Public Safety. He can be reached at David@forpublicsafety.com.

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