West Chester Workshops
About 50 people showed up this morning to weigh in on ways the new Planning, Zoning, Business, and Industrial Development (fondly known as PZBID) Committee of Council could enhance communication between elected and appointed Borough officials. All of the department heads were there, including Mayor Dick Yoder and Borough Manager Ernie McNeely.
Carolyn Comitta, Chair of PZBID, put this meeting together. Her husband Tom Comitta, who has 30 years experience as a facilitator, led the discussion for 2 hours and listed speakers’ comments on a large tablet in the front of the room. Fellow committee member, Chuck Christy was also there.
The afternoon session, which ran for nearly another 2 hours, was well attended by many residents. Sharing their visions for the borough, people talked about their concern for a healthier environment, public transportation, and affordable housing. One woman remarked that we need to protect and enhance our "perfect town" by keeping it livable and walkable.
At the end of the workshop, the audience helped prioritize both lists, which then will be emailed to all participants.
Comments
Kudos! This reminds me of the strategic planning sessions that the Pew Trust urges on the boards of nonprofits. It's not always easy to do well and implement but it helps get everyone on the same page and, above all, creates the best kind of activists, people acting out of care and commitment and not from anger or selfish agendas.
Posted by: Sam Young | April 2, 2006 9:43 AM
Congrats to the committee for starting the dialogue. A strong plan is always the key to a solid foundation.
Glad to see you there, Barb. It's refreshing to see our politcal leaders listening to what others are doing and thinking.
Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Jim | April 5, 2006 9:03 AM