1. How long have you lived here? If you were not born here, indicate where you came from and why.
I was born here and have lived here my entire life except for five months in the late 70’s when I lived in California.
2. Are you happy with where you live? Do you feel like you belong?
I love living here where there are (or at least used to be) four actual seasons. I like being in a city that can still have a small town feel and also being an easy drive to Indianapolis or Chicago. I have traveled enough to know that there are a many places that are more beautiful but Muncie is definitely and always home.
3. Do you expect to stay here for long? What are or will be some of the considerations in deciding how long you stay here?
I plan to be here until I die. My family is here, my friends are here, and my church is here. I love to travel and visit other areas of the country but, again, here is home.
4. How would you describe Muncie to someone who has never been here? What are its most distinctive characteristics?
Muncie has no one distinctive thing to make it a tourist attraction. There are no weird festivals or giant whatevers that draw huge crowds. What it does have is a little bit of everything. There are great, unique small businesses and restaurants. There is a wonderful Farmer’s Market hosted by Minnetrista. There are many entertainment options from local theatre, breweries and a winery with live music, and a wide range of offerings from Ball State University. There is always something to do. There are great churches and charitable organizations to become involved with.
5. 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)?
I think it is easy for people who have never traveled to, or lived in, other places to think less of Muncie – to complain about “here”. It’s a classic “grass is always greener” mindset. Sadly, much of Muncie’s public image comes from past and present questions of political corruption, drug issues, and having no “one great thing” to focus on and draw people here. Opinions of Muncie from within ourselves and from the transient university population has been as opposite as two of the “bumper sticker mottos” about Muncie –
Muncie – We’re Trying vs. Funcie
6. 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 loss of factory jobs has been difficult for Muncie’s economy but, in the end, both of the mottos ring true. We are trying – trying to reinvent ourselves from being a factory town to a more eclectic, diverse place; trying to upgrade the infrastructure and beautify the area; trying to offer more cultural experiences. Our successes in those areas are what makes Muncie – Funcie.