EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: 'Aginners' should offer constructive criticism

I don't have much time to surf the Web or visit Internet networking sites, but I was winding down from a busy day recently and came across a site where people were having some vigorous dialogue about an issue that was obviously important to them.

I don't have much time to surf the Web or visit Internet networking sites, but I was winding down from a busy day recently and came across a site where people were having some vigorous dialogue about an issue that was obviously important to them.

Finally, one of them reminded others of an Ozark country saying, "The Aginners alus shout louder than the Furs." I thought to myself, "How true, how true!"

Northwest Indiana is facing many challenging issues, and we often seem to hear a lot more from the "agginers" than from those who are promoting positive attitudes and actions. Maybe it's always been that way, but it seems to me it's become more prevalent.

I think "agginers" can make a major contribution to our region because they can challenge our thinking and help us avoid stupid or unproductive actions. What bothers me about many "agginers" is that they stop with just being against something without offering alternatives. Just saying, "no, no, no, no, no" without offering a better alternative seems to me to be a cop-out.

The current debate about the proposed public transportation authority is a case in point. I'm not at all certain that it's the right or best idea for our region, but I think we should give our legislators credit for at least trying to come up with a solution for what is obviously a major problem. Our current public transportation services are disjointed and do not begin to meet the needs of major segments of our population. For decades we've been unable to come up with a solution, despite some heroic efforts. There have been more "agginers" than "furs" for most of the unsuccessful initiatives.

Personally, I don't like some aspects of the legislation that provides for the public transportation authority, but I'm not about to be an "agginner" without offering something better. I would challenge others who are tempted to be negative to do the same. We must come up with a solution to the growing public transit problems in our region. The status quo can't be maintained. Because we were unable to come up with a solution ourselves the legislature acted, giving us what some perceive as an imperfect tool to use. It's up to us to decide whether to use it and work on the imperfections or come up with something better. Just being "aggin" it isn't enough.

So, my message to the "agginers:" State your case. Stand your ground. But offer alternatives. I've found it a lot more satisfying to find ways to get good things accomplished rather than concentrating on being against.

Remembering the Ozark saying, let's find ways to be "fur" rather than "aggin."

Leigh Morris is chairman of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.