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Dear Editor, we have a wonderful community that is already a model example on many levels. We have unity between our city leaders. We have unity between our church leaders. 

We have unity in race relations. 

We have a community that collaborates and contributes among the businesses, government, churches, schools, non-profits, and the arts. Do we have room for improvement? Definitely and our community activist and leaders would all agree the progress that has been made and also the improvement still needed.

We will soon be voting for the school SPLOST. 

Then later the county SPLOST. What if in both of these special purpose local option sales tax plans there was a contribution to a multi functional, multi cultural community center campus? What if there was a beautiful large community center that provided activities that were investments in our community members?

Our built environment effects our lives. 

This built environment could house all local non-profits that provide support to families. It could house an office for LaGrange clergy. 

It could house a center for cultural enrichment for all children, not just families that could afford to pay for dance, art, music, drama or singing classes. 

What if it housed an office for coordination of business start-up? It could house Georgia Tech and Georgia business consultants. There could be a business incubation space. There could be the main office for Communities in Schools. 

It could house a soup kitchen that is manned by different churches on different days. There could be a tutoring center that was coordinated by the county schools and local churches and non-profits for volunteer or paid tutors.

I have heard of the Callaway Education Association. The Callaway Educational Association provided recreational and educational opportunities for at least three generations of LaGrange youth. 

A series of philanthropic institutions beginning in 1913 with the LaGrange Settlement formalized the commitment of Fuller E. Callaway Sr. to the welfare of his employees.

What if we had a Troup County Education Association? 

 An association provided by contributions from Troup County government, local city governments, local churches, local businesses, local non-profits, and local families, that provided recreational and educational opportunities for the current generation and generations to come of LaGrange and Troup County youth. 

How could an association and a community center like this effect the future of local citizens? What do you think?

– Kendall Butler