Heart of Wisconsin
Business & Economic Alliance and
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A Joint Initiative Between Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance and Community Foundation of South Wood County |
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Breaking News July 23, 2004 - Meeting, meal about making progress By Antoinette Rahn, Daily Tribune Staff A little food, a cash raffle and a chance to discuss the town's vision is the focus for the Thursday Make It Happen meeting. The Rome meeting is one of four slated for the coming week in Wisconsin Rapids area communities. After 67 people turned out for the initial Community Progress rally in May, the town's department heads decided to do more for the second, working meeting. The rally was part of the introduction of the Community Progress Initiative, a three-year effort to empower the people in south Wood County and the town of Rome to increase economic development and develop endowed charitable assets and leadership. The Community Foundation of South Wood County and the Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance are the agencies that spearheaded the Community Progress Initiative. "I think the idea for this meeting started when David (Buerle, consultant on the initiative) was at the meeting and challenged us to verbally give our ideas," said Terri Anderson, town clerk and lifelong resident of Rome. "Some of the things people were saying were surprising, and other things people suggested were things we'd talked about, so in some ways it confirmed that we're on the right track. "The department heads came up with the idea for the cook out, and we presented it to the town officials." The town staff responsible for organizing the event includes Dave Lockrem, John Frantz, Gary Gronos, Kray Brown, Al Dzierzak, Larry Gillis, Chris Methfessel, Deena Griffin and Anderson. The town is taking a follow-up discussion and turning it into a town get-together, with the chance for everyone to talk about the community's future. Having town employees who put in this extra effort means a lot, said Kathleen Krueger, Rome resident. "It's an absolutely wonderful opportunity to talk about our ideas for the community," Krueger said. "This is a unique opportunity. In all the communities Doug and I have lived in, we have never had the town officials ask their residents for input in this way." Krueger lives on Lake Sherwood with her husband, Doug, and works at the Community Foundation of South Wood County. She first lived in the town after her parents moved out in 1968. The Kruegers became full-time Rome residents in 1992, after having a summer home there since 1987. The Make It Happen vision meetings build on the inspiration and excitement of the rallies and initiative programs, such as industry clusters, entrepreneurial boot camps and the speaker series, said Kelly Lucas, CEO and president of the Community Foundation of South Wood County. "This series is more hands-on in the formation and articulation of ideas," Lucas said. "The initiative is a collective effort and the people involved in the oversight of the town of Rome used it to encourage everyone in the town to have a voice in shaping its future." If you go What: The Rome Make it Happen Community Progress Initiative meeting When: Thursday; cookout from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by the meeting. Where: Rome Municipal Building Reservations: Anyone coming to the cookout prior to the meeting is asked to call the municipal building at 325-8013 by Monday. People coming only for the meeting need not confirm. Where to write: Anyone who has ideas to share, but is unable to attend can send their thoughts to: Town of Rome, 1156 Alpine Drive, Nekoosa WI 54457 You can reach Antoinette Rahn at 422-6726 or arahn@wisconsinrapidstribune.com |
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