Area's Quality of Life Offers Option for Stressed U.S.
Source: Stevens Point Journal

MILWAUKEE, WI — August 26, 2003 — This news item raised our blood pressure: A measure on Denver's ballot would order city government to fight stress. A peace activist, Jeff Peckman, wants Colorado's capital to promote "stress-reducing techniques," like playing soothing music in public places and improving school lunches.

He and a group of Natural Law Party members gathered the necessary signatures to get the measure on the November ballot. Such frivolous proposals abuse the ballot process. The effort is another example of people expecting government to solve all their problems. But, after we take a deep breath, we must acknowledge that Peckman has struck a nerve while trying to soothe nerves. What he's really talking about is improving the quality of life. And government can and must play a major role in that arena.

In Stevens Point, we pride ourselves on our quality of life: our diverse economy, college-town cultural opportunities and a low crime rate. Folks are neighborly. Volunteerism and community service are part of the civic religion. Great parks, lakes and other places to wind down are nearby. Our big-city friends note that we have a wealth of time here. What rush hour? OK, the summer construction season has tied our muscles in knots, but we have it easy compared with other areas.

The quality of our schools, environment and employers all affect our stress levels, and local leaders are directly involved in maintaining those assets. Never mind the group tai chi sessions and feel-good slogans. Officials at every level of government would go a long way to ease our anxiety simply by putting aside partisanship and working together on critical issues.

The area's list of challenges is overwhelming. Rising health care costs. A loss of manufacturing and other high-paying jobs. High taxes and reduced services. A troubling future for some of our prized educational institutions. High rates of alcoholism and obesity. Unsustainable growth and a loss of natural resources. No municipality should strive to be a stress-free zone, of course. Stress forces progress. If we don't change and grow, we die.

If Denver's ballot measure reflects a tense nation, then our local tourism and government must exploit its niche. We can't keep our quality of life a secret. We must tell a weary world: Chill out in central Wisconsin.

Our View reflects the opinions of the Journal's Editorial Board: Lynn Hicks, editor/general manager; Susan Kampmeier, news editor; Brendan Dooley, assistant news editor; Trudy Stewart, senior reporter; and Doug Wojcik, photographer.