In an unfortunate snowball of a situation last week, Guernsey was blind-sided by a cold, harsh reality.
Some knew this, but others are just learning it: in a small community, we all rely on each other, and everyone is impacted when one of the wheels come off the wagon.
Okay, I’m mixing some metaphors here, but I think the point is made. Last week, Guernsey’s only grocery store closed unexpectedly with no warning. It has left the town reeling from the impact since the majority of the community relies on being able to go to the store to fill their refrigerators and pantry shelves.
Though it was pointed out at a public hearing about a possible liquor license transfer held at the Guernsey town council chambers last week, the cost of many products in the local store were often more expensive than driving to out of town to a larger store. Sometimes we need to stretch ourselves a little thinner to help each other out. And I do believe people have been doing that, but there is only so much give that can happen – on every side.

A phrase comes to mind: “life happens.” True, it does. But we are fortunate to live in a part of the world where neighbors help neighbors. Or do we? When did we come to the point where we cannot thoroughly discuss issues and work together to come to a solution?
I would hope people can once again put aside differences and stand side-by-side, like last summer while everyone was fighting for the existence of the town and surrounding homes and ranches during the Pleasant Valley Fire. In a way, this situation is a fire of its own and we need, as a community, to stop putting the blame at one place or another. Let’s tie up our bootstraps and get ready for some serious brainstorming in order to help each other out and make it through this unpleasant situation in a better position than before.
The lifeblood of the community is at stake, and if people aren’t careful, the fabric that holds us together can be shredded with unkind or thoughtless words. As was shared at the public hearing: businesses and individuals in the community are hurting across the board. And – (dare I repeat it?) – a lot of it has to do with the economic downturn, increased prices, and reduced patronage of businesses resulting from what is termed the “covid pandemic.”
While we join together to help with the immediate need of fixing the gaping hole the grocery store’s closure put in the town, there is a bigger, related issue we should think about addressing.
Maybe it’s time to talk about the impacts that are still happening with the trickle-down effect of strict government regulations and arguably knee-jerk reactions to widespread fears. Let’s start talking about how life has changed locally over the last five years and start discussing plans for the future, together. I encourage you to send in a letter to the editor (following the rules of course – no slander, sign your name, limited words, etc.) to share how covid has changed your life, your business, your education. Let’s start the conversation here, identifying the issues we are struggling with most and start to come up with creative and realistic solutions as the full picture is finally revealed. Then we can work together at identifying the issues and moving together toward a stronger, more close-knit community we will continue to be proud to be a part of.
In times of hardship, the real mettle of our community is revealed. Are we going to go down the ineffective trail of the blame game and gossip, or are we going to stop complaining and help those in need while supporting and assisting those who are trying to make tough decisions?
Let’s swallow our pride, share our struggles and our ideas while we work together for a solution to put the wheel back on the wagon.