The new community service group Concerned Citizens of Butler could have chosen to stay focused only on issues related to the city’s landlords and rental properties, since the group began as an effort to oppose city council regulations proposed to crack down on negligent landlords. The feeling of those who started the group was that the proposed regulations would punish all landlords for the problems being created by only a few.

But to the credit of the landlords who were responsible for the start-up of the group, Concerned Citizens chose to broaden its efforts, with the hope of helping the city on various fronts.

One of the strong points on which the group will be centered is helping to create cohesion among the city’s various groups and organizations, to improve the chances that efforts designed to benefit the municipality will be successful.

Concerned Citizens is correct that efforts involving more than one community group oftentimes have better prospects for success than something being pushed by a single group or a small number of individuals.

It’s going to take awhile for Concerned Citizens to build its identity and get out its message throughout the city and nearby municipalities. However, the group has gotten off to a notable start, and it should not get discouraged if some of its initial goals are not quickly achieved.

At a meeting Wednesday, it was good to have a city councilman — Richard Schontz — in attendance to become more familiar with what the new group is all about. If Schontz remains a fixture at future Concerned Citizens meetings, he can keep other members of the council informed about the group’s work and objectives.

If the group remains active and strong, in the future the council probably will receive questions and suggestions from it — or be asked to vote on Concerned Citizens proposals needing council action.

Meanwhile, related to its original purpose for organizing, Concerned Citizens wants to create short-term goals for landlords as well as long-term goals for property improvement — which certainly is in the city’s best interests.

About 25 people attended Wednesday’s meeting. It would seem that the group might present a good opportunity for action for community-minded individuals who have not previously become involved in an organization dedicated to Butler’s betterment and renewal.

Butler is facing great challenges, fiscal and otherwise. It needs the energy, determination and vision of as many people as possible — people dedicated to working hard on behalf of the city’s overall future.

The next Concerned Citizens meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5. Information can be found at www.butleracc.com.

Some people might question whether Butler really needs another group, and that’s a valid question.

But the cohesion and coordination between groups toward which Concerned Citizens plans to direct some of its attention is a worthwhile objective.

It is to be hoped that other groups will embrace Concerned Citizens as an ally, not regard it as a competitor. And, it is imperative for Concerned Citizens to make that point in its dealings with other organizations.