Two weeks ago, Bryan Davis asked the question, “In what world do you run off a person who is working full time to keep the city clean while collecting zero salary for it?” I hope the answer to that question is not in this small piece of the world which is Indianola. I’m writing in response to Robin Rosenthal’s resignation as Director of the Keep Indianola Beautiful program in the hopes that it will help her reconsider this vital position to our community.
There are some people in this community who when they ask me to do something, I find it very hard to respond with a “no.” One of those people is Robin Rosenthal. How can I say no to someone who, like her, gives countless hours of tireless volunteer work? She has been such a positive influence on me and to so many others. She has galvanized countless groups to work on various projects to make Indianola more beautiful. Because of her, more people are getting involved, volunteering, and taking more pride in Indianola.
I think that Robin’s greatest talent is getting people to come together. Because of her, so many people here have formed friendships; people who probably would have never known each other before. These friendships have led us to being informed of many resources that have helped people who were in need. Working together has helped us to become not just a city of people, but a close-knit community who care for one another.
We may ask why someone who has not lived here for very long can care so much. Well, of course she loves her husband, Steve, and wants to support him in his endeavors. I believe though that because we are a praying community, God has sent her to us as a light to guide us. She sees Indianola as her calling. She has been the catalyst who started a ripple effect here. As we look around this city, we are more beautiful and more loving than we were before we were gifted with her presence. That is her only reward. She will tell you herself that she does not do this alone. Whenever I have given her a compliment, she always turns it around and gives the credit to other people.
Would it not be wonderful if other communities in our state could look at us as that shining city on the hill? Would it not make us so proud that our example would have that ripple effect in Mississippi? Robin has had faith in us that we could be that example.
So come on now, we are one and all so much better than any bickering that goes on. We all have the same goal. Let’s put our differences aside. As we teach our children, let’s play nice! Let’s all come together, help a little more, love a little more, and support a little more all those people who are working together, and that includes our mayor, our board of alderman, our city workers, and all our volunteers who are striving to make Indianola a better place.
Most sincerely, Rosemary Miller
