Hanson Wendlandt, Pastor, NCPC.  One of my favorite podcasts is Boulder’s own E-town. Two performers play a few songs and often discuss social justice, environmentalism, or how art builds community. In between, the host gives an “e-chievement award” as recognition for people who have seen a need in their neighborhood, and lead some organization to respond with solutions.

Plenty of Nederland musicians have been on the show—even last week,  there was a great set by Elephant Revival. It also seems to me that our town has a lot of people who deserve our thanks for what they do to lead their organizations in responding to the great needs in these mountains.

Take, for instance, Adam Fels and Jeff Miller, who run our Nederland schools. Amidst great challenges, they make life better for our children and families. In a few weeks, they’ll be at it again, every day facing poverty, drug abuse, parental absence, and a dwindling student body, while they work hard to meet high expectations for academic success, character development, and college preparation. A Ned-chievement to y’all!

What about the Amys? Amy Hartman keeps us sane with Peak to Peak Counseling—and by “us,” I mean me, and many of you, and probably everyone should stop by once in a while. And, Amy Hardy, with United Way, is constantly advocating for the mountain communities, so that the many government and human service agencies down below remember that we are still up here and can use their help. Thanks, Amys!

Chris Current has been with the Food Pantry for nearly 30 years. Recently, she oversaw its huge expansion from a church closet, to giving out over 66,000 pounds of food last year!

Alisha Reis probably has the hardest job in town, and she performs it well and professionally. Sure, we still have plenty of logistical problems, which she knows better than we do, and addresses better than we can. Thank you, Alisha, for your steadiness.

Doug Gibney leads the biggest church in town. You may not agree with everything he preaches (which he probably would the first to say), but Doug has been a caring agent for many in this community for decades (which he probably would be the last to say, which is why we should say it for him).

Paul Carrill has not been here for decades. You may not agree with all his strategies either, but he is working hard to make our town a safer, more stable place. In his one year leading the police force, Paul has faced complaints ranging from “people drive too fast” to “the police give out too many speeding tickets”; from “you’re too objective with the transients; you should just give them a ticket” to “you’re too objective with the locals; you should just let them on their way.”

I don’t know where to land on those sorts of details, but I do know that after a lifetime of my own spotty history with police, as I’m sure many of you can relate, I am happy to live where our police are not here to ride on the power of a badge and gun, but to sincerely protect and serve.

And to end on a less controversial note, let’s say thanks to Jill Dreves and Stephen LeFaiver, who work in such creative and tireless ways to make sure our young people have engaging, alternative ways to learn and grow.

All of these folks deserve our gratitude, as do so many other people who direct organizations, arrange community events, volunteer their time, and support our town in many ways. Nederland is blessed to have so many capable and caring folks lead us toward a better place to live, and a better future.

Now, that being said, leadership can be frustrating. And leadership in this particular town can be downright overbearing.

When I first moved to Ned, two years ago, Mayor Joe took me on a walking tour. Everywhere we went, he described different places by the controversies that surrounded them: a zoning difficulty here, a licensing problem there, marijuana arguments there, there, there, and there. The grand finale was that danged sidewalk, the debate for which no one outside of our town will ever understand. But I understand it now, partly because I’ve listened to both sides, partly because I think I am finally figuring out something central to Nederland.

At the recent EPA workshop, about 50 people stood up to describe us in one sentence. Many had glowing things to say, which were true. Some shared deep concerns, which were also true. One woman just said “Nederland is contrarian,” which is probably the most true. For a place so seemingly dedicated to peace and love and free-spiritedness, we sure are against everything and everybody.

That same day, someone else told me they were worried about the future of our town, because we were “self-defeating.” That sounds about right too, and it’s not even big scandals or budget fights, or really any of the issues that tend to cripple other communities. For us, what breaks us down into factious bickering is sidewalks and tickets, and who’s allowed to post what on which Facebook group.

To be sure, there are many residents, maybe a majority, who are able to and want to discuss issues respectfully, disagree honorably, and commit themselves to this town, through whatever problems we face. But there’s also a lot of juvenile sniping and vacuous anger. And for the leaders of organizations that exist for the sole purpose of serving this town and its people, all of that sure can get us stuck on whatever path of hope we are trying to walk.

A friend of mine once described what it is to be overwhelmed by pestering complaints as “pecked to death by ducks.” Nederland, you have great people working for and with you, to make this a better place for all of us to live. I urge you to disagree peacefully. Make your point clearly; listen generously. And please stop being such fanged ducks.