Hello? Is This Thing On?

So, I’m wondering … what does Loma Linda care about?

Now, before you answer, I know what matters in Loma Linda: the Medical Center, the University, the faith.

But what does it take to get people to care? To want to weigh in about civic business? To want to make their voice heard?

. .

Sigh.

That night, when people came to make their voices heard about a proposed fast food restaurant – the seventh such restaurant in the city limits – the City Council was discussing … and the commenters got up to leave the Council Chambers after having their say. A plea from Mayor Rhodes Rigsby got people to stay for a while, but not be involved.

Again, it’s my curiosity getting the best of me. For 20 years as a journalist, I’ve had boss after boss tell us that focus group after focus group wants local news. News from their neighborhood. Good news. Happy news.

But as I peruse the Internet, and the message boards of this web site and those of the other media companies in the region, that’s not what people are reading or responding to.

Nope, it’s the stories of the accused of (important, for sure). Or the stories that let people argue about . Or the ones about how people can avoid the same fate as Amy Winehouse.

Yeah, I’m pandering a bit here. Looking for people’s validation. Looking for comments about something, anything.

But as someone who’s covering the city of Loma Linda as a journalist, it’s a part of the job. Get to know the community you’re covering, find out what makes them tick. And what’s important to them.

Was providing a photo tour of worth our time? How important are the goings on in , , , and ? Should we go to a social at the senior center or an event at the ?

So weigh in. Get involved. We’re just the people observing Loma Linda, chronicling what goes on in the city. This is your city. Take charge.