DUMFRIES residents have been urged to drop their “destructive negativity” about the town by the local provost.
In an open letter, the south Scotland town’s civic head told locals it was “deeply demoralising” for those trying to carry out improvements in the area, and asked people to be “part of the solution rather than a chorus of frustration”.
Little said there was something special about the town but too often it could go “unspoken, overlooked or quietly taken for granted”.
In addition to her role as provost, Little became deputy leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council earlier this year.
Her plea comes as there are renewed efforts being made to revive Dumfries’ historic town centre.
In December last year, a £68 million flood prevention scheme in the town was given the go ahead after decades of debate.
In the open letter on Facebook, Little said there is “far more” potential in Dumfries than locals give themselves credit for, but argued that “belief” in what the town could become is “missing”.
“Too often, we speak of Dumfries as if its best days are behind it,” she said.
“Too often, we compare rather than create, doubt rather than dare, settle rather than strive.
“There is a quiet acceptance that ‘this is just how things are’ and that is the most limiting story we could ever tell ourselves.
“And alongside that, there is a constant thread of negativity, casual, repeated, almost habitual. It shows up in conversations, online, in passing remarks.
“It chips away, slowly but surely, at pride, at ambition, at hope. That kind of negativity is not harmless. It is destructive. It shapes how we see ourselves, how others see us, and ultimately what we believe is possible.”
Little added that the attitude was “deeply demoralising” for those who are trying to improve things in the town.
“When effort is met not with support but with criticism, when progress is met with dismissal, it drains energy from the very people we most need to encourage,” she added.
“To those who continually focus on what we don’t have, there is another way. Join forces with those who appreciate what we do have. Stand alongside those who are working to build on it. Be part of the solution rather than a chorus of frustration.
“Because complaining and constantly looking backwards does not move us forwards. It does not create jobs, it does not inspire ideas, and it does not build a future. Action does. Belief does. Collaboration does.”
Little argued that Dumfries doesn’t lack potential but “collective confidence” and argued that it could be changed.
Her letter gathered support from many on social media.
“Spot on Tracey. If the whingers stop their constant greetin’ and keep their opinions to themselves less folk would get demoralised,” Hugh Taylor commented.
“Better still, if they got off their soapboxes and started forming or joining groups doing something to improve the situation.”
David Mccormick added: “I totally agree but if there is to be a better future the local council need to listen to the people of Dumfries and help the younger generation achieve what they are capable of.”
Elsewhere, Gilly Fraser said: “Really pleased to see this – Dumfries is a lovely place with so much character and history and warmth – and the potential for so much more. Lovely to read these encouraging and morale-boosting words!”
Dumfries Partnership Action Group also approved of the call, describing it as a “timely and very important message” for those who live and work in the two.
"There are of course challenges but things are changing,” they said. "Imagine if everybody got behind the change."
However, Niall Cowan, who has a jewellers shop in Dumfries responded by saying the town was on its “last legs”.
"Take a walk around our town centre and be honest - look at what you see and it is not pretty," he told the BBC.
"In the coming months we shall be losing more shops which we can ill afford to lose."
