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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
CHAPTER TWENTY
"Families - Creating Cycles Of Success"
January 15, 2026
By Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
Governor Jim Edgar of Illinois is a family man. He realized long before he became
governor of Illinois in 1991 that families were important. When he left the office in
January 1999, he still believed the same.
Families are important! Governor Edgar stated that, "By investing in our
families, we are creating cycles of success to end the cycles of despair." This
is a fairly simple statement, but it says volumes about how we think of families. It is
also a key economic statement!
How important is the family to you? What does the City of Roswell, New Mexico think
about the "Family"? How does the State of New Mexico view the
"Family"? What about the Federal Government?
The family has really taken hits in the near past. Whose fault is it? I would venture
to say that it is mostly our fault for allowing it to happen.
As I write this, I am thinking about my family. I am blessed with a lovely wife and
three children. We have tried to raise our children with positive, traditional values.
Why? Because that is the "right" thing to do! A simple answer, yet today the
meaning of what is right and wrong does not necessarily mean the same as it did twenty
years or more ago. This is not right!
As individuals, we know what is right and what is wrong. Why do we ignore the right and
allow the wrong?
We know that the family unit of father, mother and children along with grandparents is
much more stable than any "new" definition of family. Research backs that up. We
also know that exceptions do exist. Sometimes we ignore what is evident and shoot for our
own selfish desires as individuals. The family unit breaks down when we become selfish.
Most of our present day problems can be traced to the disruption of the historical
family unit. The increase in crime and juvenile delinquency is directly proportionate to
the continual breakdown of the traditional family unit.
It would seem logical that by strengthening the family unit, we could begin to see a
reduction in many of our community problems. Funding could then be channeled in the more
positive community ventures, which would see more success. However, the family must be
addressed, first!
If we want this community of ours to become stronger, maybe we should be voicing our
concern over the breakdown of the family. For many years, we seem to have been promoting a
"cycle of despair" that perpetuates despair. We need to develop those programs
that promote a "cycle of success"!
The Roswell Recreation Department has a desire to help strengthen the
"Family". We have a desire to be a part of positive success building in our
community by trying to promote the family and family activities.
The Roswell Recreation Department needs your help to create positive leisure incidents
that will help to strengthen the family unit. The leisure incidents that we provide at the
Roswell Adult Center, Yucca Recreation Center, and through our Special Programs Division
all focus on enhancing the family while also trying to create a positive atmosphere for
individuals to socialize together and learn new skills. New Facilities being planned by
the Department are family oriented.
If you would like to help create these positive cycles of success in Roswell give me a
call at 624-6720. Maybe we can figure out some ways to start our community back on the
right track.
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
