SALMON VALLEY VISION IS DIVERSE

By: Katie Hoffman

On April 28^th 325 members of the greater Salmon Community came together at the Salmon Middle School Gymnasium to develop a vision plan for Salmon’s future. The evening began with the singing of the National Anthem by Vickie Harber. David Beurle, managing director of Innovative Leadership Australia, was the facilitator for the evening and began the discussion instructing smaller groups to share what they enjoy about the community. Beurle then explained the power a community vision had on the town of Newton, Iowa. Two years ago Beurle had traveled to Newton and held a vision rally shortly after Maytag, their largest employer, closed their plant in the small town. At the rally the community decided that they wanted to be the leading green energy producing city in the Unites States. Beurle stated that just two years later on April 22^nd, Earth Day, President Obama announced his wind energy plan from the town of Newton that is now leading the nation in wind energy production. The Salmon community then participated in a hands-on activity in which each person attending the rally was able to vote using colored sticker dots on the ten attributes for a successful community. Rated as strengths were evidence of strong community pride and inclusive culture, strong presence of traditional institutions that are integral to community life, and communities are self reliant. Attributes rated as needing improvement were Invest in the future, participatory approach to community decision making, creatively build new economic opportunities, deliberate transition of power to new leaders, and strong belief in and support for education. The remaining attributes, willingness to seek help from the outside and support local businesses, were rated neutral. The rest of the event was spent developing both an economical and community minded vision for the future of the Salmon Valley. A large and diverse community vision was created and distributed at the end of the rally. A few of the topics included in the vision were tourism, natural resources, community pride, hope and agriculture. Community member and event participant Denise Bender commentated that “When I moved to Salmon in 1986, this vision was what I felt this community represented. There was such a wonderful energy in this community and in many places, there still is.” Participants were then encouraged to join action teams to make the vision a reality through the remaining 12 months of the Horizons program by steering committee member Dan Fredrick. Action teams will be meeting at City Hall on May 7^th at 6pm to develop action items to make the vision a reality at the Vision Launch. Anyone interested in participating in action teams is welcome at the Vision Launch. Although the University of Idaho Extension and Horizons support will end in the next 12 months this program is designed to be sustainable and continue in the community for long after the rally. The vision statement is available at the Lemhi County Extension Office at 200 Fulton Suite 202, in this week’s paper or call 756-2815 ext 301 for more information.