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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News July 30, 2004 - Residents gauge future of Rome; Rally attendees agree on vision statement By Karen Madden, Daily Tribune Staff More than 200 people who attended the Make It Happen Rally on Thursday in the town of Rome overwhelming supported a single statement for the community's future. "The town of Rome is a unique community-village that maintains a healthy balance among: Planned business development; environmental protection; outdoor recreational opportunities; and residential life." The statement was the result of looking at what residents saw as the community's strengths and weaknesses. Then sharing what they saw as its future. The number of people who showed up for the rally shows a lot about the community, said town Chairman Steve Nowicki. "We'll see a whole bunch of great ideas," Nowicki said. There is no such thing as a best community, said David Beurle, rural leadership and development expert. However, the number of people attending Thursday's meeting does make it the best. It is important for everyone to participate in the community's future. "What's the future you want to create for the town of Rome?" Beurle asked. The residents attending Thursday's meeting saw the town's community pride and inclusive nature, along with its investment in its future as its strengths. The deliberate transition of power to new leaders was seen as a weakness. "That's a good thing," Beurle said. "Now you know you need to work on that." Most people said they moved to Rome because of its peaceful atmosphere and outdoor recreation. Any future development in the community must maintain the beauty of the area and respect the environment. The solution most attending the meeting seemed to agree on was to create a village area that would be kept separate from residences. The village would be a gathering place for the community and have family-type businesses that would provide needed services. The group did not want large commercial chain stores in Rome. When the vision statement, developed from the comments, was read to the group, it drew a round of applause. The vision statement can provide a focus for the community and keep it moving in the same direction, Beurle said. People at the rally were asked to share what brought them to the community, what they like about it and what they'd like to see in its future. Some responses include: Mary Bolcskey, 76, of Rome What brought you to the community? I grew up in Hancock. I was working in Illinois and picked up the paper. I don't know why, but I picked up the real estate section and saw land for sale on Lake Sherwood. We drove up here that weekend and put a payment on the land. It wasn't even a lake yet. What do you like about your community? I like the peacefulness. What would you like to see in your community's future? One thing for sure we need is a post office. We might have to have a school here if it keeps growing. Nancy Christensen, 43, of Rome What brought you to the community? We had a vacation home here. We sold our home and now we're living here. What do you like about your community? It's nice and small with not too much built up. I like that. What would you like to see in your community's future? I think Rome needs a restaurant, especially a breakfast place. And, a laundry mat. Leonard Harvey, 65, of Rome What brought you to the community? A guy offered a free meal in south Chicago suburbs and introduced Lake Camelot. Then, he said if you'd drive up to Rome to the lakes, he'd give you a free tank of gas. That was in 1972. In 1977, we opened the Shermalot Hotel and we've been here ever since. What do you like about your community? I like that you can do most everything for yourself. You can take the garbage to the dump yourself. You can go for a walk around the lake. I like the simple life. What would you like to see in your community's future? I'm probably different from the rest of the people here. I'd like it not to change. But, I'd like to see taxes cut in half, although if you did that, all the people in Wisconsin Rapids would move here and it would double in size. You can reach reporter Karen Madden at 422-6729 or kmadden@wisconsinrapidstribune.com.
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