Many Paths: Morality in ethical behavior, equitable policy is key to success

A small gathering of Galesburg city officials, parks and recreation staff, citizens and members of the Save Hawthorne Pool group celebrated as Mayor Schwartzman cut the ribbon to open the newly renovated Hawthorne Pool.

The saving of this treasure is a wonderful example of how “we the people" can overcome enormous challenges to arrive at a win-win for the community.

How did this badly needed upgrade happen in an age of divided city government, changing priorities and shrinking budgets? It was civic engagement in action, mutual respect, thoughtful planning, spirited debate within the city council chambers and over a thousand signatures for saving the pool.

More: Indoor pool reopens in Galesburg more than one year after being closed

I feel that the Hawthorne Pool Group viewed the pool as more than just a building housing a cool pool. The saving of the pool initiative was an effort to preserve their physical health but also to improve the quality of life of our community.

I had to join them because I saw it as my moral duty to support the saving of this historic space that was once a valuable lifeline for our troops returning from war. Guess what happened? The previous council listened to the pleas of the citizenry and voted “yes” to renovate the pool.

Today, Galesburg has a beautifully renovated Hawthorne Pool. Why? Simply because a handful of determined swimmers would not accept “we do not have the money."

The valiant effort of the Save Hawthrone Pool Group and the “yes” vote of previous council is a powerful demonstration of how this community can come together and do what’s morally and ethically beneficial for all.

The importance of morality in driving ethical behavior and equitable policy is key to our economic resurgence, future growth and success.

Here is a question for you to ponder: does morality drive ethical behavior which in turn creates a policy that’s equitable to all? I believe that morality sets the stage for ethical behavior and produces equitable policy, but the choice is ours to make.

Let's look at Russia’s war against Ukraine. In the eyes of President Vladimir Putin, Russia is acting morally and ethically in launching this war because he is riding the world of those, he views as undesirables. President Putin’s military is bombing civilian targets not by mistake but on purpose.

Do these actions against a neighboring country represents moral and ethical behavior? Most of you that are reading this article have an answer in mind concerning whether President Putin is acting morally responsible or not, but I encourage you to find a dictionary and look up morality, ethical behavior and equity.

Let's look again at the effort to save Hawthorne Pool. The previous city council listened to the moral and ethical arguments raised by the community.

They weighed both the human and economic impact of their decision upon the entire city and then with moral courage voted their conscience. Keep in mind the tremendous pressure that each of them faced by voting yes.

Despite that pressure, they made the morally and ethically right decision. All Galesburg residents can take pride in the newly renovated Hawthrone Pool.

The April 2023 election brought a huge change but as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “the time is always right to do right." Therefore, I want to say thank you to counsellors Kevin Wallace, Dwight White, Jaclyn Smith-Esters and Sarah Davis for their courage and conviction in voting to save the pool.

We all will be remembered either for our positive contributions to society or the lack thereof. I want to be remembered as a person that stood up morally and ethically for liberty, justice, and truth.

What will you be remembered for? At this pivotal hour in our nation’s history, many are turning a blind eye to morality, ethical behavior and equity to defend the indefensible. The facts still matter, and the truth matters most.

Andrew Jowers is a minister in Galesburg.

This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Many Paths: Renovated Hawthorne Pool step in the right direction for Galesburg