Insight

OXFORD — It was like pulling teeth at first.

My classmates and I — all Knight Community Journalism Fellows — were responsible for hosting a community conversation in Oxford on April 17. The black-and-white fliers we posted around town posed the question, "Want a better Oxford?"

Catchy, huh?

Approximately 40 people — a mass of city and elected officials sprinkled with a few ordinary citizens — assembled in the City Council chambers at Oxford City Hall. Before entering the chambers, participants were asked to fill out a card asking what issues they felt needed to be addressed in Oxford and what needed to be done to create a better future for the community. The cards were collected and categorized by Jennifer Cox, our designated moderator, before the conversation began.

Slow Beginnings

"It seems a lot of folks here enjoy the Oxford school system, but there is a problem with students coming back home after college and finding good-paying jobs outside of the retail district," Jennifer began. "So we want to know what you guys think. Is this a problem and if so, what can we do to resolve it?"

Silence.

"Don't be shy, everyone. Come on. This is your city," prompted Sandra Baltazar Martinez, our Spanish translator.

OK, moving on. "Some here might be from Hobson City or some of the other areas that may be annexed one day into Oxford," Jennifer began again. "We'd like to hear how you think the annexation has gone, what your concerns are, or if you're happy about future annexation plans."

Silence squared.

I thought the conversation was poised for a nosedive when Jennifer performed what she dubbed "the save of my life." Throwing our original plan overboard, Jennifer went around the room, one by one, asking folks why they chose to live in Oxford and what concerns they have.

And out spewed tales chock full of sunshine and rainbows.

A 'near-perfect' Oxford

"I love Oxford. I've lived here around 30 years. I have no problem with it," said Kathy Evans, a business owner.

"I've lived here all my life. I love Oxford, too," Janet Stephens added. "We've been very blessed to have our wonderful mayor for so many years. Just have to plug him. I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to live here."

Pat Steed, a retiree from Atlanta, settled in Oxford because "it's an excellent place for retirees." However, Steed believes Oxford is missing out on a keen opportunity.

"When you stop to think about it, Interstate 20 coming through here is probably nothing more than just a stopping place for somebody to get a hamburger and go to the bathroom. But it should be a destination," he said. "Do something to publicize (Oxford) and let people know, 'Hey, we're here!'"

Steed then recited the motto heard often in Calhoun County — near Atlanta, near Birmingham, near perfect. "I'm not suggesting we steal that motto, but it's a good one," he said.

In the eyes of many of the attendees at our meeting, Oxford is "near perfect." What's not to love, they seem to have asked. There's Oxford Lake and Oxford Exchange, along with its Olive Garden. There's the upcoming opening of a new city library, a new police department, and renovations to the high school — the largest in Calhoun County — and civic center are either under way or are being discussed. There are "wonderful schools," "super nice people," and "the best police force," attendees said.

But near is the operative word in the phrase "near perfect."

Cracks in the veneer

I'm sorry to be a buzzkill, but all cities fall short of perfection.

Oxford included.

Just ask William Lewis, a retiree whose home in Coldwater was annexed into the city. Lewis loves Oxford, but fears his 17-year-old grandson won't be able to find suitable work once he graduates.

"I think there's a problem with a lot of your young people going to Birmingham or Atlanta (to find jobs)," he said. "These fast-food jobs and retail jobs are good for getting a student through high school, but once they get out of school and have a family, (the jobs) don't pay enough."

Active recruitment of technology and manufacturing companies that offer competitive salaries could be the solution, Lewis said.

Or ask Monica Reyes, a mother who braves the narrow driving conditions on Edith Street after dropping off her child at C.E. Hanna School. Reports appeared in February that a school-bus mirror had been knocked off and a teacher's car had run off the road not originally designed to handle that much daily traffic.

Reyes' concern is valid. Since our community meeting, the Oxford City Council has approved the purchase of property and preliminary work on the widening of Edith Street — an improvement that should ease some residents' concerns.

"That road is really awful to drive on for two-way traffic," Reyes said.

Some mentioned the lack of leisure activities in Oxford, while others defended the city's proximity to metropolitan areas such as Birmingham and Atlanta, where leisure activities are abundant.

"If we want museums, if we want professional ball games, we can get there easily within two hours," said Dr. Mally Moody, who serves on the Oxford Board of Education.

True, but what about stressed graduate students and others on an extremely tight budget? Gas prices, nationally and in Calhoun County, are insane. Local spots where folks can unwind while not breaking the bank would be nice and may keep young people around, too.

On leadership, Mayor Leon Smith and the Oxford City Council — who attended our meeting — garnered rave reviews. One after another, the participants commended elected officials for steering Oxford in the right direction. William Lewis did, too, but he had just one criticism.

"One thing that aggravates the stew out me is when I pick up The Anniston Star and I see a headline — Oxford City Council and mayor fighting again. That needs to go away. We don't need that. Mayor Smith has done a great job with Oxford. The City Council has done a great job. But when you fuss among yourselves, you don't get nothing done," he said.

Amen. We didn't hear of many, but there are a few cracks in the "Near Perfect" veneer after all.

The aftermath

My classmates and I powwowed outside City Hall once the conversation was over. A comment from Don Hudson, Oxford's parks and recreation director, stuck in our minds: "You would think that every one of these people were paid to come in here and say something nice about Oxford. These folks are talking from their hearts. They're sincere."

Hudson is right. The sincerity of the participants speaks to the spirit of Oxford and their seeming unwavering confidence placed in elected officials. I thought it was quite endearing. We all did.

We were delighted to have city and elected officials in attendance to listen to their constituents. They overwhelmingly heard more praise than criticism, but the criticism they did hear should be resolved.

We were delighted to have representatives from Oxford's growing Hispanic community and disappointed by the absence of African-American residents, who account for nearly10 percent of Oxford's population. Diverse opinions shape a rich and robust dialogue. We missed the ordinary citizen, too.

And we were thankful to Jennifer for saving the conversation and the day. The lesson learned: Even the best-laid plans go awry.

Cassandra Mickens is a Knight Community Journalism Fellow who is studying at The Star. Knight Fellows Emily Amick, Sandra Baltazar Martinez and Jennifer Cox contributed to this story.