Community Togetherness

I mentioned previously that I took on a "job" moderating for a communal website for our town. It was created by residents in our community (who just so happen to live in our subdivision, on our street, just a few houses down on the other side of the street), and their goal is that it's "run for the community, by the community".

Since becoming a moderator a little over a week ago, I've gotten to know a bit more of what goes on "behind the scenes".

You see, the town where we live in small. Very small. I'm talking a population of 124. The town population sign boasts a big 150, because they rounded up. To date, there is an estimated 1,800 people residing in the town now. The community in which we live has already closed on 579 homes, with 302 more homes that are in the process of going up, a majority of those scheduled to close this summer and fall.

So you can imagine what the "old" residents might be thinking. Some are looking at things in a new light, and are embracing the change. Others are bitter, and are taking it out on residents of our community.

This is where my "job" as a moderator comes in. There seems to be a separation of the "old" town versus the "new". And people are letting their bitterness out on residents of the "new" community within the forum. That's when I have to step in and collaborate with the other moderators/site administrator to figure out just how to smooth things over, or what consequences these "outbursts" will bring.

Thankfully, the issues at hand are relatively mild. Things could be worse, but when it comes to this situation, we have to be on top of things. While this website/forum is meant to help residents of the community share information, ask questions, meet neighbors, plan block parties and the like, it also can be very risky. You run the risk of people slandering others, or worse. If it gets out of control, the association or the village can rule to shut it down altogether.

All that aside, this really is a great place to live. I've met several new friends here, and tomorrow will be the first official "ladies game night" hosted by a neighbor, and it's open to any lady living in the community (and we even have 1 or 2 that will be attending that won't be closing on their homes for another couple months). Our block party is the end of July, and we are planning on hosting an Easter egg hunt for the kids next year.

I couldn't recommend a better place to live and raise a family.