Alan has gracefully given me this space in every issue from here forth to write a "letter from the editor" column of sorts (unless, of course, a reader decides they have an opinion-we do love to hear from you).

At first, I was not entirely sure that I should take this on. I am a more behind-the-scenes person-I enjoy reading what our other columnists have to say, but as a journalist, I am usually one to keep my opinions to myself in a public forum. It's simple Ethics 101.

However, since I have been working in the Broad Ripple area, I have noticed many things that I feel should be pointed out and put in the open for neighborhood discussion. These are topics that could be controversial, but I feel that sometimes these questions do need to be asked in order that they be addressed in the first place.

The over-arching theme that has stood out to me the most is this "us vs. them" mentality. "Us" being the younger people of the village and "them" being those who feel we are pretty much the reason for so much destruction in the village (which, sadly, in most cases we ARE).

I know it is easy to place the blame for graffiti, garbage, broken windows, stolen goods and drunken fights on us, but here is the question: What would happen if we shut down all the bars in Broad Ripple? What would happen if we took all the liquor licenses away from the area, as one resident once asked at a meeting?

It seems like simple economics at this point-the area would lose a large portion of its funding and foot traffic. Granted, it may solve the never-ending parking problems that are constantly being discussed, but what would Broad Ripple be like if young people never visited the area?

So. . . basically, the area needs us. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't straighten out how we act sometimes.

If there is one epidemic I have noticed about people in my age range, it's the constant need to complain about the way things are or why certain things happen. An epidemic I have not noticed, though, is the drive to go out and change how things work.

I am guilty of this, and so are you.

I am slowly finding out there are so many ways to help the Broad Ripple Village community-even just by reporting on them.

Here is what I want to tell "kids" in the area (a.k.a., those of you that go out on the weekends or who work in the area or live in the area). Join the Broad Ripple Village Association.

Seriously. I know you may think of joining your neighborhood association as something that your parents might do, but I also know that many of you do love and care a lot about the area, what it has to offer you, and what it could offer others in the future.

The BRVA meets once a month, and there are chances to serve on subcommittees that may cater to your specific interests (beautification, zoning, communications, etc.). Plus, it's only $35 for a year's membership.

Let's bring real graffiti artists back to the village. Let's help clean up the messes we make on the weekends. Let's attempt to make an impact on what is built in the area or what kinds of shops, restaurants and bars find their way into vacant spots. Maybe then we can stop complaining.

         -A