A Doug's Life: Sunshine Over the Rural Concrete Jungle

Human nature.

It's a funny thing, isn't it? One's opinions, attitudes and interaction with others is dependent on so many different factors -- one's background, environment, and the trials of everyday life. But even though each person is different, we all seem to fall into one of two groups.

I saw it growing up for most of my life in suburban Los Angeles, during my travels as a sports writer across the country, and now in the vast rural expanse of Menifee. I have come to the conclusion that although it might be possible to switch sides, at the moment you're definitely one or the other.

I'm talking about optimists and pessimists. You know, seeing the glass as half full or half empty. Looking on the sunny side or the dark side of things.

The more I learn about the recent history, culture and diversity of Menifee, the more I am saddened by what appears to be a growing number of people on the dark side.

Now don't get me wrong. I certainly am not always a positive thinker. Lord knows, there's enough pain and suffering in this world to bring even the greatest optimistic down on occasion. But for whatever reason, I tend to see hope in the midst of the gloom, while having the patience to endure the trials in the meantime.

I am reminded of the Serenity Prayer, which says:

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

Spending as much time in the community as I do as editor of Menifee 24/7, I deal with a lot of community issues and the residents affected by current events. One need mention only the words development and traffic to touch a nerve around here.

Some residents seem to believe that because I report on the approval of housing and commercial developments in Menifee, I am pro development. Others who know me well believe that because of my cowboy wannabe tendencies, I am anti development and pro horse.

Actually, I am neither. Or perhaps, just a little of both. Sure, I want to preserve the open spaces that attracted me to this place, but I'd also like to feel like I live in the 21st Century, not the 19th. I happen to believe it's possible for Menifee to add a movie theater complex, a business park and a few more restaurants without becoming a concrete jungle. Even envisioning all the planned projects already being in place, I see so much open land remaining.

That being said, it really isn't difficult for me to endure the frustration of a 15-minute trip across the Newport Road bridge, or sitting through five stop lights at Antelope Road and Scott Road. Is my patience tested at times? Sure. But while others are cursing city officials who really are simply working with developers who have property rights, I survive by imagining what the finished clover-leaf freeway interchanges will look like.

I am willing to look three years down the road, when things will be even more different here -- but not necessarily worse.

It's always amusing to me to see the comments of readers whenever these subjects are reported on Menifee 24/7 -- especially on our Facebook page, where reader interaction is instant. We're guaranteed to get a majority of negative comments from residents who seem to believe Menifee is going to hell in a handbasket. Anything new is bad with these people. More building automatically means less peace and quiet.

That's why, after opening the floodgates this week by posting a reader poll asking for the most aggravating driver misconduct on Menifee streets, I came back the next day with a poll asking readers what they feel is the best thing about Menifee. Sadly, I feared that the second poll might go unanswered, but I was hoping for a sign of optimism in the sea of disgust.

Thus I was thrilled when we received 64 comments -- virtually all positive -- about things people still like about living here. Believe it or not, many still consider Menifee to have a rural feel, as I do. They see the forest through the trees, so to speak.

Of course, the next day we were back to normal. Our report on the Planning Commission's approval of a development to include a hotel and retail sites at Antelope and Newport roads was met with the usual moaning and groaning. I'm sure there are reasons for concern in every such project, but do so many people really believe there is no value in increased amenities and tax revenue?

It's not so much that people exercise their right to complain, but they way they do it and the frequency. After 40 years in the journalism business, I am still amazed by the number of people who work so hard to find something negative in anything that happens.

When I posted a photo of three City of Menifee representatives posing with our area's Assemblywoman in Sacramento this week, I would've bet the house that someone would complain about those individuals "wasting the taxpayer's money." Sure enough, they did. Apparently, there is no good reason for city officials to use taxpayer money budgeted specifically for their training and regional job performance. I guess some would rather these folks be uninformed and have no communications with the lawmakers of the state in which they are elected to represent the people.

All I can really say to these people is, try smiling once in a while. And look more than three days down the road.

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Speaking of complainers, a local resident this week referred to Menifee 24/7 as "that little rag." I would like to set the record straight on that one.

Actually, the phrase "little rag" when used as a derogatory term in reference to a media outlet is only accurate when used to describe a newspaper. In the old days, paper was sometimes made from rags. This led to use of the term "rag" to refer to a newspaper being worth as little as the rags it was made from. In modern times, derogatory analogies have referred to newspapers being best used to line bird cages or wrap fish.

Menifee 24/7, however, is not a newspaper. How do you think a small outfit like ours stays in business? We have no printing bills. So it is incorrect to refer to Menifee 24/7 as a "rag", big or little.

So what should the haters call Menifee 24/7? A big pile of bad megabytes? Misplaced cyberspace? I might not some help on this one.

Meanwhile, please try to have a good day.

Doug Spoon is the editor and co-owner of Menifee 24/7. His column will appear here on Sundays.