The Hardin County Vision Project is becoming more than just a list of potentially helpful ideas. A steering committee made up of community leaders has been formed, and members of the public are invited to a forum this afternoon so they can learn about the project’s goals — which range from unifying school districts to expanding alcohol sales to revitalizing downtown Elizabethtown.
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Public input sought at Vision forum
Discussion to outline goals of project
By John Friedlein
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 7:00 pm
By JOHN FRIEDLEIN jfriedlein@thenewsenterprise.com
The Hardin County Vision Project is becoming more than just a list of potentially helpful ideas.
A steering committee made up of community leaders has been formed, and members of the public are invited to a forum this afternoon so they can learn about the project’s goals — which range from unifying school districts to expanding alcohol sales to revitalizing downtown Elizabethtown.
“All too often when visioning and strategic planning sessions such as this one are conducted, the goals are tucked away in a nice, neat report and placed on a shelf to gather dust,” consultant Luke B. Schmidt said.
Through surveys, brainstorming sessions and examination of similar communities, the Vision project has produced two dozen strategic goals, which fall into categories such as community unification and development, governance, health care and education. The Department of Defense provided money for the initiative.
The new working group, Hardin County United, plans to develop a platform to consider the goals and make recommendations on how to proceed, according to a news release. The group will take into account public feedback from the forum, said Harry Berry, who is the group’s chairman and county judge-executive.
It will be a “springboard to fully examine each of the 24 community strategic goals and to implement those goals which will provide real dividends to the county,” Berry said.
Schmidt said it is too early to say how the group would implement the proposals.
Some ideas could attract investors — including the military — and improve residents’ quality of life, Schmidt said.
Today’s forum is a chance for local residents to express support or concerns for any of the goals — and offer alternatives.
The 4 p.m. meeting is at Hardin County Schools Performing Arts Center at John Hardin High School in Radcliff.
“There will be plenty of time for the public to ask questions and make comments,” Schmidt said.
John Friedlein can be reached at (270) 505-1746