Beware of the C.A.V.E People

The following editorial appeared in the Daily & Sunday Jeffersonian in Cambridge, OH after a recent talk. I thought that you would enjoy reading it.
“Beware of C.A.V.E. people”

Addressing a sizable local audience at the Pritchard Laughlin Civic Center last week, Jack Schultz – expert of big success for small towns – said virtually every community has within it a toxic infestation that can literally wipe it out.

We have it here in the Cambridge area.

Schultz calls it C.A.V.E. people.

It’s an acronym for “Citizens Against Virtually Everything.”

Here are some ways to recognize C.A.V.E. people:
• They attend no public meetings and criticize the way “they” do things.
• They always remind others about the hot summers, cold winters and general tough conditions for those who live here.
• They complain about the quality of police, sheriff’s deputies, state troopers, firefighters and EMTs.
• They have convinced themselves that it’s not important to attend school programs, concerts, ball games, etc. They won’t be missed.
• They knock the local town council and county commission, and gossip about “kickbacks” elected officials must be getting.
• They stay away from church, believing all who regularly attend are hypocrites.
• They make purchases out of town without first checking local stores that contribute to the community.
• They’re always reminding others that the local newspaper and radio stations are no good and have less local news than out-of-town media.
• They believe all kids are delinquents, all businessmen are crooks, and bad remarks about the community are the order of the day.
• They, above all, are skeptical, cynical and negative about anything and everything meant for community betterment and progress.

If any of this sounds like you, there is hope.

Try helping to build your community, instead of tearing it down.

You really can make a difference.