By JOHN WHITTAKER
Strategic Planning and Partnerships Commission members are planning to hold a public forum Oct. 15 at the Robert H. Jackson Center to hear public reaction to the group's short-term action plan.
The commission hosted its first public forum at the center to gather information about its short-term action plan. Those attending the meeting had the opportunity to make suggestions about the plan and volunteer to serve on the action teams overseeing its implementation.
Carolyn Bloomquist, R-Ward 1 and commission member, said the turnout for the first public forum and the progress made by the action teams makes a second public forum a good idea. Mrs. Bloomquist said the best way to keep the community involved is by having public forums and continuing to invite public participation.
''Some of their ideas have worked out very well,'' she said. ''If this is going to be a habit and a continuing effort on everyone's part to get the community involved then I think it's a good idea. Maybe they didn't want to come to the first one or two and then they realize this is an honest effort to get people's ideas.''
Much of the discussion on Oct. 15 will focus on report cards the group released in April and July. At least part of the meeting will focus on the progress made during the first part of the year and to hear what the community wants to see done during the six months remaining in the short-term action plan.
''I think doing this in October would be terrific,'' said Dr. Lillian Vitanza Ney, R-At Large and commission co-chairwoman. ''If Russ (Linden, a consultant hired by the commission) can help facilitate it like he did the last time then we can be the organizers of the breakout sessions again. The word got out because of this last time and people got excited about what could happen.''
The short-term action plan that was approved shortly after the first public session created nine action teams to carry out the recommendations made by the commission and the public. Many of the teams are reporting progress in their assigned duties.
Dr. Ney said the report card will appear in the next Board of Public Utilities bill as well as today's edition of The Post-Journal (see chart above). The following are some of the action teams that are nearing completion of their assigned tasks:
The Appearance of the City action team has finished two of its suggested action items while reporting progress in its efforts to work with city officials to waive the city's encroachment fees in favor of a set of design guidelines. City Council members already were briefed on research completed by the Taxes action team that will help the city complete a property reassessment without waiting several years while the city saves the money to pay for the process.
Members of the Coordination and Effective Government team, meanwhile, consolidated its two goals into one and are planning to make its recommendation to the City Council in August to establish a system of results-based government.
The Development and Jobs action team is nearly finished developing an Internet site that will market economic development opportunities in Jamestown and is also working to streamline the development process by creating a central clearinghouse to make the process easier for potential developers.