"Hi everyone,

Lately I have heard comments like these from a number of people when I discuss the Boyhood Home of Lyndon Johnson, the importance of LBJ, and his contributions to this town: "Families around here didn't like LBJ." and "Nobody remembers LBJ." There are plenty of anecdotal stories that give weight to this viewpoint parroted as if these tidbits were true. Currently in Johnson City, these stories are used as an excuse not to tie together efforts of city hall or of the LBJ National Historical Park in a serious joint effort to market Johnson City, to create a viable historic district and narrative designed to attract visitors. For at least the last thirteen years the city and LJB National Historical Park have gone about their business on their own, with at least one exception when the city voted into law a Historic Preservation Ordinance which delineated the boundaries of the downtown historic district. Instead of touting the Boyhood Home and the LBJ NHP, it was decided by the vested interests in town to opt for allowing private enterprise to 'flourish' unencumbered, by city ordinance. The thought was business - and businesses alone- would save Johnson City. We could get along without taking advantage of the assets provided to town by the Lyndon Johnson family, thank you anyway, Mr. President. Well, some dozen years later, we can plainly see that the verdict is in. Johnson City is not thriving measured by any economic yard stick. We didn't prosper by ignoring the historical legacy of LBJ.

There is an answer to those who claim that LBJ was not liked here in Johnson City or that nobody remembers LBJ. Earlier this Summer, the 50th anniversary of the 1963 (prior to the assassination of JFK) March on Washington was commemorated. Many speakers and attendees talked about JFK and LBJ's efforts to end racial discrimination. Now many in our nation's youngest generation now know Lyndon Johnson's significance in U.S. history. Just this week, Greta Van Susteren wrote an article on Huffingtonpost arguing more needs to be done about poverty and evokes the name of Lyndon Johnson. Earlier this year, Maureen Dowd lamented the apparent weakness of President Obama compared to Lyndon Johnson. She thought President Obama should act more like Lyndon Johnson. Meanwhile, while we continue our collective denial here in Johnson City, Lyndon Johnson's name lives in the spotlight of American history almost as if today was 1964. These are a few examples of Lyndon Johnson's relevancy today. There are plenty more indications including this one: LBJ Library. In a play named All The Way, Breaking Bad actor Bryan Cranston plays LBJ.

As far as families here not liking Lyndon, few really disliked him. Well, maybe Mr. Ross didn't like Lyndon, but it was because he didn't think the 15 year old was really good enough to be a husband for his daughter, Kitty Clyde, Johnson City High School's future principal. And I know others didn't ... love Lyndon, because...well he might have owed them money. But in 1964 the acting President chartered a bus and took whole families from Johnson City and sent them on a statewide campaign swing to communities all across the state to get out the vote for the President. Bill Casparis was one of those and he loved the experience. And he wasn't alone. Many locals joined the campaign. In the end Lyndon Johnson carried Blanco and Gillespie Counties and the entire state of Texas in a landslide national election. When was the last Democrat able to do that? It wasn't because everyone hated LBJ around here, that's for sure. All of this is not conjecture, but fact. Reality. History.

And it's time to get over it, Johnson City! Just because one may personally not like LBJ is no excuse not to take advantage of the assets and opportunities afforded by him to our town. In fact since the last Economic Development Committee meeting, I have detected a latent feeling in the Johnson City body politic of an understanding and acknowledgement that the focal point of Johnson City's image should be that it of the Boyhood Home of the 36th President of the United States, that we are one of only 45 such possible places in the nation, that we are not just an average small, poor, struggling rural community like tens of thousands of others, that we need a gimmick to get tourists, people relocating their homes, or begging investors to save our town and economy. Ignoring, burying the LBJ story, deliberately altering and denying the historical heritage of Johnson City is not only counter intuitive, but also counter productive. We are a unique small town with more potential than a thousand other small towns. We are a nationally recognized brand name with international appeal. As the LBJ NHP Johnson Ranch web page quoting LJB says, The Whole World is Welcome. The parochial view that this community has to relent and change its history, to cater to the economic demands of those who live in the county - or beyond - need to understand that the LBJ story is a national one, and expansive, bigger than life, huge story with universal appeal. How? By connecting with people in this community who know and understand both the how the LBJ narrative works and how to take advantage of the opportunity it affords.

So this is my effort. To put together an email list of similarly minded persons willing to talk to others - here and around town - and perhaps influence the economic outcome in a more positive direction. The Johnson City LBJ ideas I speak of in this message have always been around, but those who have them in their heads have perhaps not had their voices heard. It's time to change that.

To help make this change I have bought a domain name and am taking Impeckable Aviaries' Unofficial Guide to Johnson City and LBJ Country 'live' on the internet. The new page will include articles, links, documents or letters from anyone who wants to put local issues on the web, perhaps even publish local news that otherwise wouldn't be printed. The possibilities are endless. You can see the results now as we're up and running: Unofficial Guide To Johnson City The page is far from complete, but I have changed the coding for the links to LBJ NHP and added one to a nice Chisolm Trail page - part of the Johnson City story - and I'll add features and links to interesting places as time permits.

One additional thought. Perhaps you don't share these ideas and don't want to participate but know someone who would: send them my way, if you don't mind. But let me know if you want in or out;-) without acrimony. I appreciate everyone's past, present and future efforts to make Johnson City a presidential place to live and work. Let's add LBJ back into the center of our efforts to bring national attention and visitors to town.

Thanks for reading. Remember what George Santayana wrote: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” Let's not repeat our last fifteen years of denial about our place in the nation's history.

Bill Arbon

Editorial - Appointments and Qualifications for Johnson City Board and Commission Members

For many years the City of Johnson City has been filling its boards and commissions with residents from both inside and outside the city. I have questioned the use of non citizens on Johnson City boards for years and felt that citizens of the county who participate on our boards have different interests than those of us who live in the city. Basically, there are two reasons that I see as not good for the common well fare of the citizens of Johnson City.

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Last Updated: 09/18/2013