Moving Forward, Not Backward: Rising Above the CAVE People

Recently, I attended a conference where one of the speakers introduced a term that immediately caught my attention: CAVE people—short for Citizens Against Virtually Everything. These are the people in every community who resist change, question progress, and sometimes stand in the way of projects designed to improve life for all of us.

I was already familiar with the term NIMBYs, “Not In My Backyard”, from one of my favorite books on community development, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community by Doug Griffiths. Both terms describe the same type of thinking: fear of change and unwillingness to take ownership of your community’s future.

The voices of the CAVE people can be loud—sometimes so loud that they drown out the quiet supporters who simply appreciate progress and want to see their community grow.

Griffiths says it best:

“The greatest threat to a community’s success is not outside forces, but internal attitudes.”  And “If you don’t believe in your community, why should anyone else?”

Negativity Holds Communities Back

Every community has its critics, and criticism can be healthy when it leads to better ideas. But when that loud group opposes everything, without offering solutions, they create an atmosphere where nothing can grow.

In our communities, we’ve seen this firsthand. Projects like the Clay Center Aquatic Park, the new USD 379 Stadium, and the Short Stop gas station at Highways 24 and 15 are transforming our local economy and quality of life. Yet some people loudly questioned the need for these projects, without recognizing their long-term benefits:

• The aquatic park is now a destination for hundreds of families each summer.

• The stadium provides a safe, modern space for athletes, families, and community pride.

• The Short Stop generates valuable sales tax revenue that supports our streets, parks, and public services, without raising property taxes.

And now the Clay Center Multi-Generational Life Center, a project designed to serve every resident of Clay County, from birth to 100 years old. This facility will provide childcare, senior services, health and wellness programs, community gathering spaces, and more, filling long-identified gaps in our county’s quality of life and infrastructure.

These projects don’t just benefit a few, they improve our whole community and make Clay County a more attractive place to live, work, and visit.

To quote Doug Griffiths again, “Change is inevitable. Progress is a choice.”

Choosing Responsibility Over Resistance

What I learned at that conference—and what Griffiths emphasizes in his book—is that strong communities are built by people who say, “How can I help?” instead of spreading doubt and discouragement. Every one of us has a role to play in shaping the future we want for our kids, our businesses, and our neighbors.

Yes, questions should be asked. Yes, transparency matters. But so does stepping up, supporting progress, and celebrating the good happening all around us.

Let’s Keep Building

Clay County’s story isn’t about those who try to stop every new idea. It’s about the people who keep moving forward, even when it’s hard. The ones who raise their hands, offer solutions, and invest in our future.

If you’ve enjoyed the aquatic park, cheered on a student at the stadium, filled up at Short Stop, or believe in the vision of the Multi-Generational Life Center, you’ve seen firsthand how these projects add value to our community.

Let your voice be heard. If you support progress, speak up. Share your support at public meetings, on social media, or in conversations with your neighbors. Positive voices build strong communities—and Clay County’s future depends on people like you.

Let’s keep growing together and leave the negativity behind.