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Last Updated January 4, 2010 The Town of St. Marys is undertaking a Community Based Strategic Plan. The ultimate purpose of this initiative is to help shape the community's future, provide structure for mutually accepted goals and a common agenda, define the purpose of the community at large and its role in achieving stated goals and balance community goals with realistic local resources. What we’re doing and why: A cornerstone to developing an effective strategic plan is to understand a community or region in terms of its assets (business base, labour force, quality of life etc.), as well as its potential emerging industries, presence of entrepreneurs and it?s capacity for innovation. But a community based strategic plan goes beyond basic economic development statistics to explore sustainability, health and wellness, infrastructure requirements, service levels, governance, and the quality of life of a community. To this end the Town of St. Marys has embarked on the development of a Community Based Strategic Plan that encompasses all aspects of our community structure. Millier Dickinson Blais was contracted by the Town of St Marys to prepare an innovative plan for the future development of St. Marys. This plan will:
Where we’re at: The Town of St. Marys? Community Strategic Plan has been developed using a combination of data and statistical information to inform the planning process, along with the opinions and perspectives of local residents, business leaders, community stakeholders, politicians and municipal staff. Community consultation was considered a vital component in the overall development of the planning process as it enabled relevant and current assessment of the town?s strengths and weaknesses, and gathered a broader understanding of goals and priorities of the community as a whole. A comprehensive consultation process with the community was conducted between August and November 2009 that included stakeholder interviews, 3 community focus groups, including one directed at the youth of the community, and an online community survey that attracted more than 250 responses across all age groups. In all more than 350 members of the community provided their opinions and observations on a vision for their community, the perceived strengths and weaknesses associated with living and working in St. Marys, as well as priorities they believe will sustain the viability of the community over the longer term. In completing this consultation process participants were asked to comment on:
How we’re moving forward: We would like to extend an invitation to all residents of the Town of St Marys to a Town Hall Meeting where the findings of the draft strategy will be shared with all those in attendance. The purpose of the meeting will be to allow community members to learn more about the findings of the draft strategy and allow them to provide feedback the office staff. Click here to read the Draft Final Report.
The St. Marys Community Strategic Plan ? Town Hall Meeting For further information or questions about the Town of St. Marys Community Based Strategic Plan, the upcoming Town Hall Meeting or to share any other comments or questions about this initiative please contact Robert Brindley |
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