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Providence speaks out: Residents discuss pressing issues By
Heidi Thueson PROVIDENCE -- In an unprecedented meeting Tuesday the City Council, mayor, city employees and residents came together to openly discuss the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the city. The meeting, given the acronym SWOT (for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) by Councilman Vic Saunders, had the atmosphere of a party. There were jokes, cookies and punch and even singing (happy birthday, Clint). But despite the jovial mood, some serious issues were raised. Citizens invited to attend were chosen randomly from voter registration lists. As a result, the SWOT team consisted of men and women, young and old, some in blue jeans and cowboy hats, others dressed in business casual. All in attendance were asked to list on a paper the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of Providence. Then the papers were turned in and read out loud by Saunders, who planned and presided over the meeting. Finally everyone voted for the five most important issues raised in each category. All voting was done anonymously. First, the strengths of the city were discussed. Among those that received the most votes were city pride, rural atmosphere, forward thinking, accessible city officials and no violence. One person listed Providence's greatest strength as "baseball, baseball, baseball." The process was apparently a learning one as well. One person listed Providence's recycling program as a strength, but many on the team were not aware that the city had such a program. Top weaknesses of the city were lack of a master plan, the need to provide a secondary water system, limited tax base and division in the community, whether it be between city officials and residents or between old and new residents. Better wages for city employees, more elderly assistance programs, a pressurized secondary water system, and professional economic planning by city officials were the top opportunities that the SWOT team felt Providence should take advantage of. Finally, SWOT team members were asked to list the threats they fear Providence will soon face. "Say anything you want to say. This is the time for us to talk about what's worrying us," Saunders told the team. "Don't waffle. Tell us like it is." The issues that received the most votes were too much growth too quickly, loss of green space, loss of rural atmosphere and the threat of being forced into strict water mandates. Overall, the issues that came up many times in multiple categories were secondary water, division in the city and over-development. At the conclusion of the voting, Saunders thanked everyone for participating. "We did this without political rhetoric and I personally truly appreciate that," he told the team. Residents and city employees in attendance were grateful to have the opportunity to voice their opinions, but several were skeptical as to what the council plans to do with the information. "I think the meeting was pretty beneficial, but I've seen our council before," said Shane Hansen, supervisor of Park Maintenance. "I think a lot of our employee requests are not fundable." Resident Lindsay Hedin shared Hansen's skepticism. "I thought it did good [to voice opinion]," Hedin said. "The biggest issue is, is anything going to be done about it?" Saunders acknowledged the limitations of the SWOT meeting. "I can't say we [the council] are going to form a policy, but we can take these [opinions] into account when planning," he said. "As we look back, we'll look at this as a watershed day for Providence."
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