Darryl Kelly: A letter to Wichita from the future
A letter to Wichita from the future (2070),
Why? That is the question.
Why, when you had the chance to seize an opportunity in 2020, did you choose to squander it? It was your time to be bold, to act, to strategically set future generations up for success. It was your duty to make progress, to align Wichita in a way that would set the stage for prosperity in the decades to come.
Regrettably, while you were stuck in a cycle of reviewing the reports, debating the semantics, posturing over the trivial, and paralyzed by inaction, the opportunity for invigorating the downtown core and moving the city forward slipped right through your fingers.
As a result, due to your lack of foresight, everyone lost out. You lost the trust of talented young professionals, and they moved on. You lost the ability to attract talent and businesses. You lost the hearts and minds of area college and high school students. They all lost faith in Wichita for not making an investment in the future. You see, most investments are a long-term game. The benefits and reverberating effects are not felt sometimes until many years later. However, this does not absolve you from laying the groundwork.
P.S. I know in 2020 the play “Hamilton” was extremely popular. Well, in 2070 it is still going strong. It has become one of the longest running shows in history. Unfortunately, I had to take my family to Tulsa to see it.
Sincerely,
A future Wichita resident
For the Wichita of today, I ask you: Is this the letter we want to write 50 years from now? What are we waiting for? The time is now. Let’s choose growth over politics. I implore you to capitalize on the great momentum we have right now and make the investment in our future generations. I am reminded of a Chinese proverb that says: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is today. Let’s plant the seeds now that will flourish to make Wichita a major U.S. city and world player for decades to come.
Wichita, what do you want your legacy to be?