Unfortunately, for the future of Jasper, I feel as though many people in situations of power and influence have given up on the 20-somethings that will be an integral facet of a successful, sustainable community. That’s right folks: you can’t do it without us.

I won’t lie, people my age (that’s 25) are generally apathetic. Maybe even bored by the processes that ultimately decide our future.

I wonder if titles such as transient, irresponsible, party-goers and the array of other negative connotations help to ensure that the apathetic stay that way?

Concepts such as the social marketing initiative that the Jasper Community Team is about to undergo, which holds the theory that positive reinforcement and suggesting alternatives is a good way to break stigma, are long overdue. Maybe this should be communicated throughout the municipality in general – let’s focus on the positive.

At the end of the day, if people don’t care, they don’t care. It’s not an issue that Jasper is facing alone, unfortunately, it’s a world-wide problem that will probably result in sad facts for my future.

I do think, however, that people in positions of responsibility have a role and duty in helping to re-engage people with their political environments.

I think that my duty, as a reporter, is to try my best to express the opinions of not just the people that turn up to large community events, but to try and represent the quieter, less heard opinions of the community even if they choose to stay home and not turn up to public meetings.

I hope that the municipality and Parks Canada understand that they have a duty to try their damnedest to have a red-hot go at re-engagement, whether anyone thinks young adults’ opinions are valid or not.

I’m optimistically anticipating that with the municipality’s new communications strategy, there will come some innovative and progressive ways of doing just that – communicating with the entire public, which includes my demographic: the couldn’t-care-less, want-to-watch-TV-and-ride-their-bikes-instead 20-somethings.

Oh, and by the way, there are ways to engage us that are more successful than others.

Case in point: I discussed with my colleagues the sustainability plan and the lack of younger people at last week’s meetings. One suggested putting these events on Facebook, a popular social networking website.

You know what, it might not be an award winner, it might not even get people talking, but why aren’t we trying it? The NHL event that is in Jasper this week and global events like Earth Hour definitely understand the importance, or at least significance, of utilizing this web-based communication tool as a way of free self-promotion if nothing else.

I also stumbled along an amazing little website over the last week. One Banff councillor keeps her constituents up to date, informed, and engaged through a blog. Her thoughts, opinions, daily comments all online for us to read and interact. One would think, for those of us who grew up on computers playing with the world-wide web, this might just be a new and interesting form of communication. But, maybe I’m being a little too optimistic?

I’m also going to put it out there and please, surprise me, write a letter to the editor, flick me an email, or throw something at me as I walk down the street, heck come into the office and tell me what you’re thinking, but if you’ve got a suggestion, an opinion, a tool that you think could be utilized to get you engaged within the community more, let me know. Your voice is just as important as anyone else’s and you have a right to have it heard in whatever forum suits you best.

Why? I’m sick of the people with the power telling me that we’re all just apathetic and it’s simply too hard for us to be part of the process. Prove them wrong, or show me how and I’ll do it for you.

Meanwhile, all of those in places of power, get your thinking caps on, research what other people are doing and get on it. Because blaming us for not being interested in out-dated, tired techniques of communication and labeling us as irresponsible naysayers that don’t give a rats behind doesn’t help your situation and it certainly isn’t inspiring (And that’s coming from somebody who is relatively engaged).