Nimby.

As an acronym it stands for ‘Not In My Backyard’—a reference to those who prefer to keep any new construction or development away from their own property. And during the seemingly endless debate over public funding for High Point Motor Speedway, certain people chose to employ this concept against Kimball and its residents.

Actually, words were a little more, shall we say, well-chosen than that.

Some residents take it as a matter of faith that at least one influential set of locals refuses to listen when ideas promoting change are introduced to the public. They argue that the area could progress if not for the naysaying of these recalcitrant sorts.

Yet in my still brief travels through the county, I’ve never really encountered anyone so set in their ways they dug in their heels and refused to acknowledge the value of growth, of progress. Indeed, lost in the HPMS rancor was the simple notion that most county residents approved the construction of a drag strip, just not on the taxpayer’s additional dime.

On Saturday night at the Kimball-Banner County Chamber of Commerce banquet, I saw dozens of people who believe in this community’s future. Though they may disagree on its shape, each and every one present at the event has a stake in a small but thriving town. Castronics has upped its ante when it comes to the local economy, adding 60 new recent positions, with more on the way. Several entrepreneurs echoed this confidence by opening shops in town. Jamie Carpenter established Sisters Grimm bookstore in Bushnell with hopes the little red barn would eventually draw other artistic businesses into the community.

It’s the same with organizations like Kimball Area Foundation and Keep Kimball Beautiful--progress is not only something to be discussed, but also to be risked and supported with funds or programs. The city signaled as much when they filled the Economic Development Director position.

So why is it taken as a matter of faith that locals fiercely oppose growth?

Perhaps it stems from basic human nature. Just a glance at television talk shows will illustrate our natural impulse to dismiss those with differing opinions as stubborn or uninformed. Instead of seeking understanding, we tend to fall into the “with us or against us” fallacy.

Maybe it has something to do with modern short attention spans. People often need a little time to see the long term benefit of a certain idea. They play devil’s advocate along the way, throwing up verbal obstacles--not hoping to forestall progress, just waiting to be swayed in its favor. Advocates of change lack the patience to see this through and almost instantly slap on the “NIMBY” label.

Initial hesitance is normal, however. It is also fortunate--not every idea is a good one, after all.

Of course, I’m probably searching in the wrong place for an answer. Social Psychologists have rarely--if ever--sat in the midst of a good old fashioned Kimball coffee conversation. If so, they might come to believe almost anything about anyone.

I know of Kimball residents who join in coffee groups in hopes that their presence will keep their names out of the rumor mill.

Others don’t mind being attached to a little dubious gossip. There’s no such thing as bad publicity.

Or so they say. I’m pretty sure Rick Santorum’s gaffe about a national language didn’t serve him well in the Puerto Rican primary.

But that’s an aside.

In short, there is no evidence to support the belief that area residents simply refuse to engage new ideas or new economic development projects. Most old timers lived through the boom and bust heyday, after all. They’ve welcomed the expansion caused by oil, missiles and whatever. They’ve bemoaned the loss of jobs and population in the wake of such events.

Really, they just need to know that these things will, in fact, improve Kimball as a whole.