Paying It Forward: Hope strengthens community #129
A few people can change the world. Consider how to become a better version of yourself -- you'll inspire others and become a force multiplier. Wichita Falls is the city that faith built.
Jack Browne, Wichita Falls Times Record News, Sunday August 24, 2025
Everything affects everything.
Hope, community, and common good are all intertwined.
Hope is the feeling of optimism and the expectation that good things will come to pass, often in the face of adversity. Believing that brighter days are ahead encourages people to engage to make it so.
Examples of common good include clean air and water, safe streets and shelter, accessible healthcare and educational opportunities for all. Who wouldn’t want these?
But change starts with individuals. We have unique perspectives and enhance our community by joining with others in shared vision.
Look at our community. Ten years ago, a drought drained our lakes and enthusiasm for the future as people and businesses left to find opportunity elsewhere.
Throughout our community a few believed we could make it better.
Wichita Falls become an innovator in direct reuse of potable water. We cleaned our waste water, allowing reuse as drinking water. Others came from far and wide to see how we did it.
We didn’t have a choice. Change or die.
Today our rainfall is bountiful, our lakes are full and our population is growing as new businesses elect to come to town and make investments.
Tax rates per $100 of property valuation have decreased for the coming fiscal year as Wichita Falls ISD and the City of Wichita Falls adopt 2026 budgets.
The job market is changing, as good opportunities abound. Creativity is inspired and new ideas offer exciting futures.
Consider the challenges of clearing tall grass from hard to access areas. Corrected since released to print: In coming weeks, the city initiates a pilot project using a herd of goats to graze and clear an acre a day.[1]
We have a stagnant mall with a renewal planned of this high traffic location that offers contemporary shopping, entertainment as well as living and recreational opportunities.
Future jobs, new local shopping, as well as incremental sales tax revenue increases the common good.
We are reinventing ourselves due to the commitment of so many to become a stronger community while keeping the positives that we have.
Make a difference, consider how to become a better version of yourself.
In doing so, you inspire others.
As cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead said, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.’
Force multipliers accelerate change and build momentum. What follows is a better future for all.
Wichita Falls continues as the city that faith built.
Jack Browne is a community activist and former technology engineer, sales and marketing executive at Motorola and other top tech companies.
[1] Within Wichita Falls, residents can expect to see between 300 to 400 goats and sheep when the project begins the week of August 25, 2025. Its estimated to last approximately three weeks.
Three locations identified as difficult to reach and mow due to terrain slope will host the animals: South Weeks Park/Holliday Creek, YMCA Creek bottom, Drainage easement off Pitchfork and Rhea Road,
https://www.wichitafallstx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/47234/GoatScaping-Coming-to-Wichita-Falls