Editor:

By the time you read this, you may have already cast your vote in the election. It’s apparent that 2020 will set record voting turnout across the country. There’s always a lot at stake and a presidential election holds even greater importance.

While a presidential election is no doubt of great significance, many people have argued that local elections often have the most impact on a person’s day to day life. If that argument is even partially true, then I would offer the opinion that how we choose to proceed together after this election will help shape our community’s future.

My husband and I moved to Richmond Hill in 2002, when our oldest child was a toddler. As our children grew, my husband and I deeply cherished our neighbors and our neighborhood. We knew everyone by name and our children ran from yard to yard and played safely under every parents’ watchful eye. Afternoons and evenings passed with conversations in the driveways and weekends often were filled with neighborhood get togethers. As some folks moved away, they would keep in touch and say they could never find another place quite like Bryan County.

A few years ago, we moved houses but never thought about leaving. We still know our neighbors, still watch out for each other, and still have conversations in the driveways. I love that whenever I leave the house, there’s a strong likelihood I’m going to run into at least one person that I know. I usually can’t get through the grocery store without stopping to catch up with someone I haven’t seen in a while. I’ve watched in awe as this community rallies again and again to support one of our own who is struggling with an illness or has been through a tragedy. The love that flows through this community has shown itself over and over. Truly some of the finest people I have ever known also call Bryan County home.

Whatever the outcome of the election, let’s commit to never lose what we have. Vote, please vote, if you haven’t already. I’m not minimizing the great importance of this election and what’s at stake. But let’s also choose to keep listening to each other and striving to make things even better. Let’s choose to keep what drew us here and what keeps us here as the main thing. I hope we will always agree to focus on what we all have in common - our love for Bryan County. Let’s agree to keep building an even better #OneBryan future together.

Amy Perkins Murphy, Richmond Hill