Becky and I are working in Lander County, Nevada, on an Intensive Idea Friendly Project. I visited in August, and as I was preparing my follow-up presentation, I noticed something important.
People said they wanted certain things, and I found out many of those things were already available in their county!
People asked if they could get funding for façade improvements.
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The planning coordinator said, “We have the Business Improvement Program, which is a 50/50 match grant that is available for business signage and façade improvements. We currently have $50,000 in the current Fiscal Year Budget; we have allocated $24,525 of the budgeted funds and have pending applications for an additional $50,000 in grants.”
People complained that the Comfort Inn’s parking lot desperately needed fixing and wondered why nothing was being done.
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I was staying there, so I asked the manager about it. She shared that their corporate office was already making plans to repair it!
Weed and trash abatement is a problem.
But is it?
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If you buy a product to control your weeds, county conservation will reimburse you the cost.
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The county manager told me, “We do yearly community cleanups. Trash bins are placed throughout the community, and the landfill is free. The county will also pick up anything brought to the curbside and even go into the property to assist, with the approval of the Public Works Director.”
Have you figured out the one thing missing?
COMMUNICATION!
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Lander County is also working on that. They have an electronic newsletter that shares stories and discusses their work.
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They recently started printing hard copies and placing them around town for people to read. Not everyone checks their email, but many of those complaining do have coffee together often or visit the senior center and the library. You can now find the newsletter in print at those locations.
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They are also putting up a booth at events to help get their message out and answer questions.
How can you address the issue of communication in your town?
Officials – meet and talk with your residents.
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Ask them what they want. Answer their questions and write more about it to share on social media, in your newsletter, and in public meetings.
Residents – don’t assume nothing is being done.
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Call or email your officials and ask them what they are doing. Find out if there is a place they regularly share answers – in the e-newsletter, in a newspaper column, or in posted public notices.
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Why not try it monthly in a chair in an empty lot downtown? Lyons, Nebraska, put furniture in an empty lot as an art project so people could talk to each other. I think it’s a great idea to put your mayor or an official somewhere, like an empty lot, to visit with the residents! In Webster City, Iowa, one of the city councilmen regularly sets hours at the local coffee shop.
Let’s find ways to talk to each other comfortably and without fear of being ridiculed. If you don’t know something, don’t be afraid to ask!