And because first impressions are formed quickly, people have little time to ensure that the impression they’re making is a good one.

The same is true of communities. People passing through Tonganoxie and other Southern Leavenworth County communities will have little opportunity to form an opinion. But that opinion will stay with them. It will shape their thoughts about our communities. And it will guide their decisions, such as whether they want to live in our communities, whether they want to work in our communities and whether they want to start or relocate a business in our communities.

That is why it’s so important that city council members last week decided to aggressively enforce an ordinance banning junk cars in Tonganoxie. The ordinance, in part, stipulates that it is illegal to park in the city limits a vehicle that is not registered or tagged, is incapable of moving under its own power or is in junked, wrecked or inoperable condition.

City workers will notify property owners, by mail, of any violations of the law. If an owner does not remove a junked vehicle, that owner could face a fine of up to $100 and up to 30 days in jail.

As council member Ray Usher told fellow council members, urging them to take a strong stand: “If we want Tonganoxie to look like a clean town, we have to pursue it.”

Why chance making a bad first impression?