Vision group to conduct public forum

By Brett Dalton

Herald-Tribune

Fort Scott, Kan. -- The Fort Scott Public Square Vision Committee will conduct a community forum at 6:30 on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at the Fort Scott Middle School, to discuss the progress the committee has made towards improving the city.

Event facilitator Terry Woodbury said the public will have a chance to listen and also share more ideas about improving Fort Scott.

"It gives the community an opportunity to learn what's going on," Woodbury said. "They can learn what the plans are."

The committee, formed this past January, is divided into five action teams that work toward a 10-year development and improvement plan with five specific goals. Those goals include outside-in economic development, community-based home and business improvement, Aquatic Center, develop the river as an asset project and the Heritage Park project.

At Tuesday's meeting, Woodbury said each action team will give a presentation describing their specific progress.

The public will then be able to meet for 30 minutes for an in-depth discussion with the action team of their choice, depending on individual interests. That will be followed by another 30 minutes of open-microphone time where the public can respond and also share new ideas and make new suggestions.

"It will be a time for open conversation," Woodbury said.

When the committee, which has 42 members, was formed in January, they developed a mission statement which says, "Fort Scott ... a progressive community, building on a foundation of heritage, pride and prosperity."