Earlier this summer, I was in my hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, for a celebration of family that happened to coincide with an outpouring of World Cup excitement. Lawrence was host to the Algerian team and went to great lengths to roll out the red carpet to welcome them. Locals learned basic French and Arabic, offered halal food options in restaurants, and the University of Kansas marching band learned and played the Algerian national anthem during the team’s public practice sessions.

The Algerian team was clearly charmed, and so was I. 

It was the same across America — local communities that hosted World Cup games or teams went out of their way to ensure that visitors felt welcome. And their efforts paid off: Social media and foreign correspondents gushed enthusiastically about how well Americans and our cities embraced visitors who came from all corners of the globe to play and watch soccer.

At a time when our country is so politically polarized, and public discourse can be so shockingly lacking in civility, this is a reminder that the best of who we are is often expressed at the local level. 

This phenomenon was also on display last month as our young country marked its 250th birthday. And while much of the attention was on the national celebration in D.C., the real spirit of the celebration was felt in communities small and large across the U.S., including here in California.

In Grass Valley, city officials transformed the historic Gold Rush-era downtown into a focal point for the 250th celebration that included a parade, pancake breakfast, and live music. Chino Hills focused on how immigrant communities have contributed to the American story. Concord’s celebrations included a 5K run and one of the East Bay’s largest fireworks shows. Lake Forrest featured a Civic Center block party with live music and a fireworks show, as well as a community commemorative photo. 

What makes local celebrations so meaningful is also what makes local government special. People feel so much more connected to their local community than they do to what is happening at the state or federal levels.  Residents see their local officials at the grocery store, at church, in the local library — and, yes, during the 4th of July barbecue.

This close contact fosters trust, the basis for good governance and civility. It is not surprising, then, in poll after poll, people express greater confidence in local government than in other levels of government.

City officials do not take this trust for granted. They understand that their work is the foundation for our high quality of life in this state.

They also understand that whatever differences they have with each other, they need to work together to ensure that potholes are filled, streetlights work, and the trash is picked up on time.

That’s not to say that things don’t get unruly sometimes at the local government level. City council meetings and individual council members are sometimes targets of protests or hateful rhetoric.

But as we head into the thick of another election season, we need to stay focused on our WHY. Public service at the local level matters, not in an abstract way, but in a very real way that literally touches each one of our residents. By modeling civility, we are helping turn the tide on an erosion in basic social norms that are the glue for our communities.

What I saw when I visited home and see when I visit communities throughout California gives me hope for the next 250 years. Thank you for doing the important work you do. I’m proud that Cal Cities is here to support you.