I believe the explanation can be taken a step further. If you want to make a difference and have a voice in your government at all levels, get involved locally.

The "Move the State Fair" effort demonstrates the impact of every voter's vote over the years and every citizen's and business's opportunity to shape the quality of life in our community by taking advantage of opportunities to have a voice in setting priorities and moving initiatives forward.

As a first-year member of the board of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce, I had the privilege of being part of a discussion last fall about whether the chamber should support a move of the State Fair from Lincoln to Grand Island and, if so, how would we mobilize an effort. After a vigorous discussion between board members, all volunteers representing a diverse cross section of our community, it was decided that we should put our best foot forward and see where it led.

With the chamber serving as the facilitator, the next step was to determine if the city and Fonner Park had any interest in having the State Fair in Grand Island. When Mayor Margaret Hornady and Fonner Park responded positively, the chamber was encouraged and engaged former Mayors Ken Gnadt and Jay Vavricek as "champions" in the effort. Thus, together with Mayor Hornady, chamber President Cindy Johnson and current chamber board Chairman Don Dunn, the team was assembled.

It clearly is not a done deal yet, but the results to date led by this ad-hoc task force and supported steadfastly by the team at Fonner Park, The Independent and many others have been nothing short of inspiring. We should all be filled with pride in the professional and effective manner in which they have represented us.

We cannot lose sight, though, of the fact that this opportunity could not have been capitalized upon if not for the groundwork that had been laid over the years. The past efforts of elected political officials and volunteer community leaders allowed Grand Island to have many of the pieces in place that made putting a viable proposal on the table possible.

But for the Heartland Events Center, the widening of South Locust, the South Locust interchange, the new fire station, the new law enforcement headquarters, the new jail and a city and county government willing to be flexible, creative and optimistic, there would have been no salable plan.

Though the move is not yet absolute, after a 44-3 vote in the first round and Gov. Dave Heineman saying he fully expects to be here to sign the final bill within a few weeks, meetings are already under way to prepare for the reality of moving the State Fair west about 90 miles.

It is clich but critically true that there is no status quo; as an individual, organization, business or community, you are either growing or you are dying. Yes, there will be unforeseen challenges and unintended consequences, but there is no doubt that this is good for Grand Island and that, with strong leadership, we can handle those challenges and consequences effectively.

Election season is upon us, and we all grow weary of the negatives associated with it, but please do not let that dissuade you from getting involved. All politics are local because the people you elect to lead our government at every level will be making decisions every day that determine the quality of life we share in Grand Island now and in the years to come. Please vote and please volunteer where you can make a difference.