I get tired of hearing complaints some people have about Vicksburg. They grumble about this, and they gripe about that. It just seems like they need to complain about something.

I know Vicksburg isn’t a utopia, or paradise, or a Shangri-La. We certainly have our warts, but to publicly plaster negativism on Facebook or other social media outlets about your hometown, especially one that relies on visitors, just seems, well, stupid.

O.K., maybe stupid is too harsh a word, but certainly criticizing where you live is not the smartest thing you can do. It’s well, unproductive.

I personally would hate to live in a city, or state for that matter, that I had issue with. My understanding is that there is no perfect place, as well as no place like home.

The latter caught my attention this week when I went out for an interview with four locals who are proud of where they live. And instead of picking Vicksburg apart, they decided to lend a hand at making it better.

For the past three years, Bertram and Carol Hayes Davis, Tully Hall and Thad Pratt have been instrumental in constructing a cave that replicates those used during the Siege of Vicksburg, with the aim of giving visitors and added attraction.

And when I asked why they have dedicated so much time to the project — they actually came up with the idea seven years ago — Carol said, for she and Bertram, they have been passionate about the idea because having an added attraction is a plus in bringing people here for their business, Vicksburg Old Town Tours. For Tully and Thad, Carol said they were enthusiastic about the project because they were passionate about Vicksburg.

I just love it. People passionate about Vicksburg.  Can I get an Amen!

Seriously, folks. I think if you truly care about your community, you have to be honest with yourself and ask, “Self, I see so-and-so going on and I don’t like it. What do you think I could do to improve the situation aside from complaining publicly?”

There are lots of people that post about the trash in town. I just wonder how many of these “keyboard warriors” have ever considered pitching in and picking up themselves.

Maybe they have; I don’t know. But my thoughts are, if you honk on about things you don’t like, you are more than likely not going to put forth the effort to be part of the solution.

I have no doubt Bertram, Carol, Tully and Thad could make a list of goings on they would like to see changed or improved in Vicksburg, but instead of whining, they decided to do something positive and proactive. They erred on the side of being optimistic instead of pessimistic.

What an example and asset these four folks are to our town. They are undoubtedly in the positive category for Vicksburg.

Terri Cowart Frazier writes features for The Vicksburg Post. She can be reached at terri.frazier@vicksburgpost.com.