After five years on the Douglas County Commission, I love this community much more than when first elected. Love can be no deeper than knowledge, and to know this place has been a deeply gratifying experience.

Our heritage is one of struggle: from American Indian dislocation, through settlement and Bleeding Kansas, into the era of Langston Hughes and Brown v. Board of Education Some people think we still fight a lot around here and I guess it’s true. What would you expect of a town named for an abolitionist seated in a county named after President Lincoln’s opponent? We do quarrel, but generally for all the right reasons. We are a smart, defined citizenry with diverse visions, some balance in power and a fierce refusal to compromise on matters of faith.

But just as sharp, unyielding facets mark the difference between a diamond and lump of coal, so do they define Lawrence against communities that are less diverse, less caring or more thoroughly dominated by narrow interests. Don’t mind the shouting: A marketplace of ideas should be a noisy — but civil — place and full of life. Struggle is not only our heritage, it is a measure of our vibrancy.

But when it really counts, Douglas County can show remarkable unity of purpose. I recently asked leaders from several other counties about the politics of education. All leaders cited deep divisions among key stakeholders. In Douglas County, however, the school boards, Lawrence and county commissioners, the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce and our bipartisan legislative delegation have all risen, sometimes courageously, in unified support of adequate school funding. One thousand five hundred citizens turned out for a Saturday morning discussion about “Bowling Alone.” Thousands gathered near the Campanile after 9-11 to grieve, to gather comfort from togetherness amid diversity. When it comes to education and children, community, culture and heritage, Douglas County can still find a voice that is singular, strong and demanding of excellence.

It would be foolish to pretend that Douglas County is perfect. We do suffer ignorance and bigotry, incivility and sloth. A dangerous divide grows between those who have too much and those with too little. We are not perfect. We are keenly human. Still, in all, this is a place of fine humanity, of community, of honorable public servants, of remarkable heritage and great physical beauty. This is a place I love.

Charles Jones is chairman of the Douglas County Commission.