Towns come together for mutual benefit
Towns come together for mutual benefit
By William Johnson • wjohnson@dailyworld.com • April 30, 2010
Regionalism is an important topic now. At its root is the belief that we can do more together than any of us can do alone.
Toward that goal, the communities of Arnaudville, Cankton, Grand Coteau, Leonville and Sunset are coming together to form the South St. Landry Community Development Coalition.
Sunset Alderman Charles A. James, who has been a driving force in the effort, said the mayors and representatives of these communities have been meeting informally for about a year but will soon start a major coordinated effort to involve the region’s citizens as well.
“We are ready to start surveying. Louisiana Economic Development has agreed to supply us with a Web site where the results can be tabulated electronically,” James said.
He said that website should be up in the next 30 days, but since many people in the area don’t have access to computers, copies of the survey will be made available in print form as well.
“These will be distributed to individuals, some will be mailed out, others placed in businesses,” James said.
The survey asks residents to rank a number of items in one of three categories — either strong, neutral or weak.
Questions range from availability of jobs and affordable housing to police and fire protection and includes such factors as local health care facilities, volunteer opportunities, schools and more.
“We want to look at all our assets and all our weaknesses so we can foster community development,” James said. “We are going to have to engage as much of the community as possible in these surveys.”
Once the surveys are complete, they will be evaluated and the group will develop a joint plan.
“We will hold community gatherings to discuss the issues that have come up in the survey,” James said. “Hopefully we can use this information to go forward. I’m excited about this.”
At a minimum, the results of these surveys can be used to apply for grants to improve the communities collectively.
“Maybe the people want walking trails for seniors. Some may want things that will benefit children,” James said. “Our grant requests will carry more weight if we apply as a group.”
He said the regional approach makes good sense for these communities.
They are all grouped within a few miles of one another, are among the fastest growing communities in the parish and James said they are already cooperating on many levels.
“We share citizens, fire protection, police protection. We are already involved in this. Let’s see if there are other things we can do together,” James said.
He said the idea is part of the Smart Growth movement, which is designed to help communities plan their growth rather than simply reacting to it as it happens.
“We believe a new approach is needed, a regional approach. We want to look at our economy, our culture, the whole thing,” James said.
