Gina Genet: Grrl in the lead

 

Have you heard of a small town in West Virginia called Moreland? Probably not, but Moreland might just represent the wave of the future; planned communities that are working to balance sustainable living values with the benefits of modern technology. grrl-e-grrl took a little road trip recently to take a look at this amazing example of “putting your money where your mouth is”, and we stopped to chat with the very likable new Council Leader of Moreland, Gina Genet over coffee and apple muffins (which were to die for, but probably dripping with calories...oh, the sacrifices grrl-e-grrl reporters make for ya’ll!)


grrl-e-grrl (g-e-g):
So how do the politics of Moreland differ from your average town?

Gina Genet (GG):
Well, Moreland, as you know, is a very special community. Everyone in the village has chosen to live there, they are committed to the values of communication and involvement which make a town like Moreland possible. People work together, talk together, play together, and that creates a unique environment. It is the job of the community council to make sure that everyone has a chance to be heard, and that people have a secure forum to voice their concerns.

g-e-g:
I’ve heard that Moreland is a beautiful town, with a very friendly atmosphere. It sounds almost too good to be true!

GG:
*laughs*
Well, I can assure you that Moreland isn’t a dream, we’ve spent far too long building it to have it vanish into the clouds like some Brigadoon! Don’t get me wrong, we have our problems, and those problems might grow in the future...I couldn’t say. But I know that the residents of Moreland are strong, capable people, many of them coming from a consulting background, and they’re used to reaching their goals by any means available. It might be frustrating in the short term as people debate the best path to follow and no one seems to listen to the council, but in the long run, we’re here to help people focus on their goals and to reach the ends they choose. I really see my role here as a public servant...someone who serves her public!

g-e-g:
Wow, that isn’t such a common attitude among politicians these days. It seems like every time you turn on the TV another scandal is being exposed, or another unethical mess is being dug up.

GG:
You’re right, and that’s one thing Moreland has worked to avoid. As a planned community, Moreland strives to maintain a balance between man and nature, between the needs of individuals for privacy and the needs of the community for right action, between the government and the governed. Everyone in Moreland has a say in the way the community is run, and as you can see for our amazing voter turn out, everyone has something to say! I think that as a woman living in a so-called “modern rural community”, where I can walk safely after dark, where I know my neighbors, where I have the chance to make a difference on both a personal and a professional level...well, I wake up each morning thinking about how lucky I am to live in such a wonderful place. Yes, there are sacrifices I had to make to get where I am today, but they were worth it.

g-e-g:
Sacrifices?

GG:
*laughs*
Oh, you know, choosing to live in Moreland meant moving, leaving behind familiar things. And of course, working for the good of the community as I’ve been elected to do, well, it’s a big responsibility, even if it doesn’t seem like much! Not that I regret a moment of it of course, Moreland, and the balance between man and nature that it provides, well, it’s simply the best place to live and I’m so honored that my fellow residents have chosen me to represent their interests!

g-e-g:
Well, you’ve sold me...when can I move?

GG:
*laughs*
Oh, come and visit us anytime, and I’ll let you know when the community decides to expand!

Kelly Spencer grrl-e-grrl.com contributor