The main question we want you to address is: What do you think and feel about Muncie? EDLM
Warning. My thoughts of Muncie are biased. I love the people in this community, I look forward to seeing friends in my favorite Muncie spots, I enjoy the cold weather and four seasons, and I am an optimist. I don’t have much patience for naysayers or weather whiners and will keep pointing out the good in the community and the cold. I do have a pretty positive perception of the community compared to those outside of the community especially those outside of the Midwest but I don’t care about those folks’ opinions. My perception is optimistic compared to those within the community, as well, however I know many who appreciate the community as much as I.
Muncie has great people, an excellent college, and the best group of philanthropists a city can be fortunate to have. I can’t emphasize the non-profit and caring community enough. People help people in this city, at a rate beyond what I have experienced elsewhere. The bike paths connect people easily to the beautiful Ball State campus, Minnetrista area and downtown, or head north or south for miles beyond the city. The river which runs through the downtown and parks provide nice green space and recreational areas. The Muncie Civic Theater, Minnetrista Cultural Center, and the Ball State amenities – Owsley Art Museum, Sursa Hall, Emens Auditorium, Christie Woods, and the Planetarium provide excellent local culture and entertainment opportunities. There are also a few local food options that are legendary with the Muncie locals near and far, and a couple on their path to legendary. The downtown is alive and is making good effort to have outdoor events attracting large numbers of people. And, we have a major hospital.
On the flip side, the city is struggling. The city school system is struggling. The infrastructure is a bit of a mess – the city government and politicians, and the roads are good for blood pressure jolts if you are looking for that kind of thing. They are, also, on occasion great educational topics of discussion and the subject of relentless sarcasm.
- How long have you lived here? If you were not born here, indicate where you came from and why.
My husband and I chose to live here after our daughter was born, about 25 years ago. We moved back here where my parents live which fortunately isn’t too far from my in-laws’ hometown where the opportunities were far fewer. We wanted our kids to have strong connections with all grandparents.
- Are you happy with where you live? Do you feel like you belong?
We are happy here however it’s a mixed bag of emotions. And, when I say we I mean me. I have a greater love for Pizza King pizza and all things Muncie than my husband who was not raised on it. My husband is happy here however he believes we would be happy anywhere. Honestly, I have to agree.
- Do you expect to stay here for long? What are or will be some of the considerations in deciding how long you stay here?
We are invested in Muncie. Our income sources, friends, some family, neighbors, and community are here. We work with great people – honest, trustworthy, caring, and fun people. We have worthy jobs enabling us to do good work. We have lived in two neighborhoods and my husband always made sure we knew all of our neighbors; neighbors with whom we’ve enjoyed great life moments. We have leveraged our strengths to contribute to improving our community. Yes. We are here today because we chose to live here 25 years ago and have built our life here.
- How would you describe Muncie to someone who has never been here? What are its most distinctive characteristics?
There is the pain of caring for our community. The corruption and poorly managed city government and the struggling school system are the heartache of missed opportunities and extreme shortfalls of potential. They are the clouds you know and feel however you keep moving them over so they don’t block the sun.
- Do you think the ways other people think about Muncie are the same ways you think about it? How do you your thoughts and feelings about Muncie differ from its public image (from media or word-of-mouth around the state and beyond)?
Muncie needs to continue to fight to be relevant and at the same time has an opportunity for those looking for lower cost of living options. I very much expect this community to reach a higher potential and be as great as it’s people. Muncie is close to being a gem. We need a few things to happen. The corruption has to end. FBI, hello? It’s time to drop the hammer. We need a serious detox. We also need the competent to step up and the incompetent to step aside. This includes me. I have as much responsibility for improving my community as anyone. Finally, we need the city school system to reach and stretch far beyond it’s rich tradition. I am looking forward to Ball State’s influence taking the schools to the next level and attracting kids and parents again.
- What are your feelings about Muncie’s future? What are your hopes for Muncie? How do you expect Muncie will fare in the years ahead? What changes do you expect?
The sun continues to shine in our world here in Muncie and we will stay several more years however at some point our adult children will pull us in another direction and our income sources will no longer hold us here. Or, corruption could push us out. Or maybe not, we may decide to be a larger part of the solution and take on roles in the City Council, and MCS Board. Also, the weather seasons are very pleasant here and only the winter may drag me away in my elder years – to the ski slopes. 🙂