5.0. SR 10-23-2000 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~ lU ur ~ i..... ~~~imilI ! ~ i.J.ij~, di1tn j Il~l~l] I~i -- ~ '~-,.. i'~'n~r.kNltl\t~~"i.J Ii! ~/" , ' --~ iI! I\i~C<-)" ~"," lIflml 1=! · UctoOer I I, LUUU · _ II """"""I.~ ~~I~l' ll~ Community c~nter tops the list Operation ER's Great Conversation attracted about 115 by Jim Boyle Editor A group of 115 citizens inter- ested in the future of Elk River put' a community center at the top of a prioritized list of com- munity goals. This group, which came out last Tuesday night for Operation ER's "Great Conversation" said this center would need to meet recreation- al, educational and cultural needs of the community. "At least in this group of com- mitted citizens who have talked with one another, there is a very strong sentiment for a community center," said Don Bargen, a nationally recognized facilitator who led the event held in the family life center at Central Lutheran Church in Elk River. These citizens discussed the strengths and challenges facing the community, and then came up with 17 desired outcomes. That list was trimmed to six. iorities inlcude: - .stronger les e ween church- es within the community to pro- vide for the needs of the com- munity, building upon' the efforts made to host a communi- ty-wide church service ~upgrading school facilities · Addressing traffic issues, including automobile traffic, commuter rail, bicycle, and Ian · Beautify downtown '. · Raise a s an e ucation to the level of sports "As a friendly outsider, I noticed some really good think- ing going on," Bargen said. "I noticed a theme of cooperation here tonight. People want to see clergy coming together, gov- ernment coming together. "There is a changing power structure. They realize" they will be better off working coop~ eratively." Operation cont'd to page 11 '. Continued from page 1 Members of Operation ER will now take this information and begin assembling key stake- holders, many or whom who are already working toward these goals and link them with citi- zens committed to these causes. Bargen pointed out that the work that goes on at Operation ER is not meant to supplant the great work that is already going on, but rather to build upon and increase the level of effective- ness as achieving community goals. The priorities set last Tuesday are to be worked on over the next three to five years. Bargen got the audience thinking at the start of the event by prodding them with this question" "If this was a Don Bargen, the facilitator, walked 115 people through the process of identifying community strengths, challenges and a prioritized list of goals for the next three to five years. (Photo by Jim Boyle) healthier community, what would be different?" He said we become what we want. "Any community that has 115 people come out for two hours on an evening and be this engaged and enthused, to me, is a great sign of hope for this community," Bargen said. "These people are committed and aware oftheir community. They were able to do a very quick and in-depth assess- ment of the strengths and challenges that they face as a ' community." Operation ER's next meeting , is set for 3 to 5 p.m. next Tuesday at the Sherburne County Government Center. _