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Creating a Vision for Easthampton The Easthampton Development and Industrial Commission has been working on a variety of issues and projects which it believes will positively effect the town's image and economic well-being. In the process of doing so, it has become apparent to the Commission that the town has a wide range of events, activities, natural resources, and citizen-driven initiatives that have the potential to "put the town on the map." If these efforts are better leveraged through coordinated planning they will benefit all of our residents and businesses. The Commission's explorations along those lines have led to the conclusion that such leveraging is best achieved through informed, voluntary citizen input. To that end, the Commission has explored possible approaches to developing a shared outlook and sense of direction for the town that will encompass all of Easthampton's key constituencies: industry, small business, downtown merchants, restaurateurs, schools, human services and social organizations, municipal services, residents of all ages and income brackets, etc. The Commission has concluded that the best possibilities lie in a broad-based "community visioning process" led by an experienced, professional facilitator. An increasing number of cities and towns in our area have embarked on this type of process in their efforts to "redirect" or rejuvenate economic bases and downtowns that have suffered severe displacements from shifting markets and labor distributions. Many have been successful, some dramatically although these transformations take time, usually 5 - 10 years or more. Experienced facilitators have developed methodologies which maximize input and a sense of joint ownership within reasonably condensed time-frames. Similar "visioning" exercises are in different stages of activation and implementation in neighboring Holyoke, Northampton, and Amherst. Easthampton, with its storied past, change-oriented present, and uncertain future, is classically positioned to benefit from such a broad-based visioning process. It has both resource/locational advantages and an inherent energy which are keeping the town and economy going -- and which, linked together, have potential for tremendous synergies and community benefit. With approval from Town Government, the Commission has engaged Walter Cudnohufsky Associates to lead Easthampton in a shared visioning process. Return to Top Joining together to shape Easthampton. "The best way to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker Creating a vision for Easthampton Community Visioning - Walter Cudnohufsky What is it? Vision: An articulated, encompassing set of goals and priorities that is easily imagined and represents collective community intent. Visioning is planning with the people. Why do it? "Visioning" assures citizens a voice in guiding inevitable community change. Once established, a new form of government, as well as the community can benefit from extending a listening ear to citizen interest and intent. There is the potential to accelerate promising evident trends of self improvement. Because they are fragile and precious, a community needs to nurture citizen hope, intent, and initiative. A focused community with priorities can seize and/or make opportunity happen. Broad consensus, whether existing or crafted, is the basis of community progress and a prime aim of community visioning efforts. Properly orchestrated the process will raise the aims and what can be achieved by making it safe for people to share their secret ultimate dreams for the community and for honest acknowledgment of the specific points of contention/disagreement. "Failing to plan" equates to "planning to fail "! Change is the only constant and there are just two types of change in a community: Community guided and accepted change & change which comes as a surprise and with community resignation. How does it work?
Return to Top You're invited to join us in creating the vision for Easthampton. We need your input and ideas for the future of our Town! Mark these dates in your calendar.
Together let's clarify our communities needs and values. Where is Easthampton heading? Who should determine the direction? If you want to take charge of the community's future then please join this town-wide process in collaborative vsioning to:
Tired of watching the future happen? "The best wau to predict the future is to create it." - Peter Drucker Return to Top For more information regarding the visioning process, contact any member of the Commission:
The visioning process allows us to predict the future by taking the time to create it! Return to Top |
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