| Visioning effort begins next phase
Planning groups developing general ideas into tangible community goals By Jennifer Sami Staff Writer The first of four Envision 2030 planning group work sessions was held Tuesday evening, drawing 106 community members to partake in outlining the future of Forsyth County. Having completed more than a dozen initial vision meetings to garner information to create the foundation for the process, the planning meetings will take the hundreds of ideas to improve the community and create a tangible, yet broad, plan of action to achieve the common vision. "The process is not about tactical ideas of the plan," said John Abercrombie, envision team partner for Civic Strategies Inc., which is managing the process. "It's about the bigger ideas." The planning meetings are broken down into four groups, each with their own specific focus. Each group has its own facilitator, along with two co-chairs: # Planning Group 1, charged with 'balancing growth with quality of life.' The group was charged with showing how the community can establish quality of life objectives and how to meet the objectives, both financially and conceptually. The group also is expected to show how the community can balance economic and residential growth while improving quality of life. Facilitator is Michele Vanglider. Co-chairs are John Kieffer and Eric Duncan. # Planning Group 2, will work toward ideas to create a community of lifelong learning. The group will also work on ways to establish arts and cultural institutions, such as fine arts centers, museums and concert venues. Facilitator is Bailey Mitchell. Co-chairs are Kathy Jolly and Everett Bennett. # Planning Group 3 is responsible for establishing new recreation and activities, while maintaining current facilities. Plans should include year-round events and activities to not only keep local residents involved in the community, but to draw visitors to participate in activities. Facilitator is Linda Duncan. Co-chairs are Cindy Mills and Linda Duncan. # Planning Group 4, which has the largest group of participants, is tasked with creating employment, protecting the environment and developing downtown Cumming, to become the heart of the county. Facilitator is Ruth Goode. Co-chairs are Pam Sessions and Keith Morris. Because of its size, Abercrombie said Group 4 will have a challenge. "There may be times during the group meetings where they have to work in smaller segments. But it's not a problem, it's a challenge," said Abercrombie, also noting smaller groups, like Group 3, also have to be cautious. "Where the big group's challenge is where do you condense ideas, the smaller group has to make sure they're bringing in ideas. If they're a smaller group, they will have to work on bringing in more people that have experience and looking harder at what came out of the visioning process," he said. Though the first meeting is over, Otis White, primary consultant for the process, said individuals can change groups whenever they want, though he expects not many will switch. "It has been our experience elsewhere that they get hooked on this really quickly," he said. "It can be late night work for some of them, but they get hooked on this because it's important." During the individual meetings, each group had several speakers, including experts within the field. Matt Pate, outdoor supervisor for the Forsyth County Parks and Recreation Department, gave a comprehensive list of potential projects introduced in past vision meetings. Ideas ranged from aquatic-related activities to hunting and shooting activities. Individuals in Group 2 had already taken preliminary steps, inquiring about contacts who have gone through the process of establishing a four-year college. "I went from group to group and they really are looking at the issue at a very high level. They brought in not only great speakers, but tremendous information from various sources. They have really done their homework," said Brett Berto, Envision 2030 co-chair. "Because of the information that has been generated this evening, it sets a very strong foundation for the future of this whole process." The next work session is set for Feb. 20, followed by a March 15 session and the final work session on March 29. All work sessions are held at Otwell Middle School. For more information, visit the Envision 2030 Web site, www.envision2030.com. |