Irony of Hopkins City Council Meeting: Skipping “Good Neighbor Week” While Wrestling with Neighbor Woes

At a glance, the Aug. 4, 2025, meeting of the Hopkins City Council looked like business as usual for a small Missouri town. But under the surface, it was filled with the kind of neighbor-to-neighbor tension that makes local governance both essential and difficult. In a twist dripping with irony, the council concluded the meeting by voting not to participate in Missouri Good Neighbor Week—after spending most of their time dealing with… neighbor issues.

It’s hard to ignore the contradiction.

Consider the concerns raised: One resident complained about a neighbor’s overgrown lawn, prompting the city to dust off its nuisance ordinance and send a warning letter. Another resident worried about a neighbor’s newly built privacy fence that obstructs their view of traffic—a legitimate safety issue. 

A more pressing concern was about a homeless man sleeping in the park and people allegedly smoking marijuana there—complex issues that again land squarely in the realm of public space, community responsibility, and yes, neighborliness.

What ties all of these together? They’re all about how neighbors live next to each other—and what the city can or should do to mediate when relationships break down. In this context, the council’s decision to opt out of Missouri Good Neighbor Week becomes more than a missed PR opportunity. It’s symbolic.

Missouri Good Neighbor Week is designed to promote acts of kindness, encourage civic responsibility, grow trust between neighbors and support stronger communities. There is no cost to participate. Best of all, participation doesn’t require grand gestures—it could be as simple as organizing a clean-up day, sharing a message on the city’s website, or publicly acknowledging residents who go above and beyond to help others. At the very least, it could have sent a community message: We see the problems, and we care about solving them together.

Instead, the vote to opt out is a missed chance to lean into the issues. 

Regardless of the city vote, residents of Hopkins can participate in Missouri Good Neighbor Week on their own by lending a hand to a neighbor or just connecting with a neighbor, and reporting their actions at the Missouri Good Neighbor Week website at https://missourigoodneighborweek.com  to be entered in a massive drawing. Or nominate someone in Hopkins who is an engaged neighbor already for recognition.

A little intentional neighborliness might just make the work in the City of Hopkins a whole lot easier. 

Written by David L. Burton

MORE INFORMATION

Take the Engaged Neighbor pledge and become part of a movement! The pledge outlines five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge at https://nomoregoodneighbors.com. Individuals who take the pledge do get special invitations to future events online and in person. Contact the blog author, David L. Burton via email at dburton541@yahoo.com or burtond@missouri.edu. You can also visit his website at https://engagedneighbor.com.