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VIEWPOINT: We shouldn't treat accolades as ho-hum news |
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By Yvonne D. Hawkins
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Tuesday, 01 May 2007 |
The first time we discussed the topic was over the phone.
Cal Willemssen, the current chairman of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, had called me a few years back to pick a bone with me.
At that time, Sioux Falls had received an honor – the specific details of which I’ve forgotten. I do remember, though, that the award recognized this growing city on the prairie in some way for its attractive business climate.
And I vaguely remember that the Business Journal published the information, probably as a brief item.
But I certainly remember that Willemssen called me to say, in essence, what a shame that the story wasn’t front-page news.
In our discussion, I said that these awards have become so common for Sioux Falls that they almost don’t elicit Page 1 coverage any more.
In 1992, when Money magazine named Sioux Falls as the Most Livable City in America, the designation stirred an excitement in this city – and deservedly so – that previously had been unparalleled. And news coverage was right in step.
It seems that Money’s designation was the first in an avalanche of recognitions from other folks who are learning what people here already know – that Sioux Falls is a great place to live, work and do business.
As we talked, Willemssen agreed that this continuing good news, in a sense, is becoming old news. Still he emphasized that it’s important that Sioux Falls never take the recognitions for granted.
And he’s right.
Truthfully, I should’ve known better than to downplay the honors. After all, I rather fancy myself as the First Lady of Celebrating Yourself. Hopefully not in a vain, self-aggrandizing, arrogant way, though. Rather, in a way that resists false humility and recognizes what my mother taught me: If you don’t love yourself, no one else will.
For instance, I remember when I visited Mount Rushmore during the Fourth of July a few years ago. I was so disappointed that the friend whom I was visiting didn’t feel it was worth her effort to battle crowds to see the one-of-a-kind fireworks display that unfurled only 20 minutes from her home. To me, that was like taking the Great Faces for granted.
However, I’ve been guilty of the same offense. Although the journal publishes all of Sioux Falls’ recognitions, we need to publish those stories on our front page more often.
Recently, I chit-chatted briefly with Willemssen again during a ribbon-
cutting ceremony honoring the chamber’s 100th anniversary.
That event, incidentally, could’ve been overlooked as another in a string of routine hobnobbing affairs. After all, the chamber already held an elaborate annual meeting in October launching its anniversary celebration. And there’s another anniversary event planned for this summer.
But there’s legitimate cause to pause and recognize this particular ribbon-cutting. That’s because the party helped celebrate a local organization that’s widely recognized as one of the nation’s more effective chambers.
At the ceremony, Willemssen joked about making sure I was aware that Sioux Falls received yet another recognition. This time it was from Forbes.com for being the Best Smaller Metro for Business and Careers. (You can read about it at www.siouxfalls businessjournal.com.)
So let me officially say: That’s great news. |