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Editor's note: The letter below is in response to a July 19 Daily Press editorial titled "No Easy Answers."

To the editor:

There is absolutely, positively, without a doubt, an easy answer.

The culture and society are complex, the community is complicated, but the citizens ultimately are responsible for the solution.

I have been involved with this community in my capacity as a teacher/coach for more than 10 years. I moved my family to Craig from Arizona via North Dakota via Canada. I'm confident in explaining to the citizens of Craig that as much as we worry, lose sleep, or panic about our community problems, it's the same everywhere.

Now, that being said, not all communities deal with the problems the same way. We, as has been my experience, tend to point fingers (that's the easiest way to deal with problems).

However, we can overcomplicate the problems and underestimate the difference we make individually.

I prefer to rally.

I'm just one man, and I can't solve every problem, but I can do the very best I can to make a difference in the area of influence I find myself in each and every day.

Craig, we have to rally. It really is about you and what you are willing to do to make an impact in your own special way within the community.

I get frustrated that we don't have sidewalks out to Ridgeview for the many who walk along the side of the highway each day. But I'm having faith that the city is trying to figure all this out.

I get frustrated that people complain about public education (my kids are challenged academically every day at school). But I have faith that schools are doing their very best!

I get frustrated that some parents yell, scream, and accuse first, and listen second. But, I have faith that we disagree out of care for our children.

I am not unique. You may get frustrated about other aspects of our culture or community - these frustrations are the particular world I live in - but I say rally.

Rally around those you may not agree with and give them a chance so you can earn the right to be heard on an issue.

Rally around the school system even if you don't agree with how something is being done, and find out if there is anything you can do to make a positive change.

Rally around our newest principals, assistant principals and teachers who will be faced with problems beyond what you, or I, can imagine and let them know how much you appreciate their sacrifice and service.

Rally around the people in this community who try their very best each and every day to make a difference in their own area of influence.

Rally, Craig, rally.

We can spend all of our time expecting to be served, but I know from experience that serving is much more rewarding. I look at people in the community who, "take it on the chin" each and every day to make a difference, and I applaud their effort.

They rally.

I've heard people complain and who think that, "the grass is greener on the other side." But I know many people who just keep on watering this side and make it as green as they can by their willingness to sacrifice time to serve on committees, boards and councils.

They rally.

Craig's best days are ahead, and we offer an attractive community to be a part of (but we can still improve). So it is my hope and prayer that people will get involved, find a spot to serve, make a difference, help others, stop being self-absorbed, don't worry about failing, and rally.

The definition of rally - to come together, uniting for a common purpose or in a common cause, or to call on people to come together and unite.

Lance Scranton