Babbitt, revisited: cities need boosters

It takes strong cities to build a strong nation. To thrive, cities need focal points for leadership and volunteerism. Today, as Americans look for strength for tasks ahead, many have found themselves looking with new eyes to institutions that helped build our communities. Institutions that some have viewed with disdain: Churches. Law enforcement. The military.

And, chambers of commerce.

Today, the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce holds its annual meeting. Hundreds of local business people, educators and government officials will spend the noon hour reviewing a year of achievements, looking ahead to another year's goals and watching the leadership baton pass from one chairman to another.

At this point, some of us can hear the great novelist, Sinclair Lewis, whispering acidic nothings in our ear, conjuring up denigrating images of rotund, boosterish Babbitts. Lewis wrote a marvelous book. But those who hear the cynic's whisper ought to tell that voice to put a sock in it. If we follow his advice we'll wind up isolated from our own communities, sucking our elitist thumbs while others, who need our help, work for a stronger future.

"Establishment" institutions attract criticism, and little wonder. They're made of people and people have shortcomings.

One shortcoming is to envy power, profit, hard work and all the other trappings of material success. Is it not wiser to harness such success, and put it to good use? Does it not make sense to pool our talents? Lend a hand? If we don't back our own city, who will?

Consider Spokane's chamber.

During the past year it: Helped win an empowerment zone designation to encourage small business start-ups in impoverished local neighborhoods. Secured millions in state and federal funds to construct higher education facilities, cultural facilities and local freeways. United the area's college and university presidents, who have replaced rivalry with collaboration. Challenged city and county governments to do the same. Lobbied federal agencies in a continuing battle to save jobs at Kaiser Aluminum. Pushed visionary plans to locate a medical research institute here.

Finally, perhaps to the surprise of author Lewis, were he here to observe, Spokane's chamber made poverty relief one of its top concerns. The chamber's outgoing chairman, Bill Robinson, is the president of Whitworth College, a nationally respected Christian liberal arts institution. The chamber's incoming chairman, Don Barbieri, is likewise a man of faith and conscience, as well as being a man of business, and each aims to make Spokane a place of opportunity for all. Under Robinson's leadership, his college next spring will host a summit focused on ways to replace local poverty with opportunity.

Chambers of commerce, not only here, have worked for local opportunity for a long time, in good times and bad. They deserve respect and participation.

Copyright 2001 Cowles Publishing Company
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