Sept. 30, 2008
Create Huntington Wants to Bridge Gaps, Welcome Diversity, No Politics
By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Comparing the production of “We Are Marshall,” the success of Pullman Square and the university’s own vision statement to a perfect storm, numerous ideas, volunteers and suggestions materialized but occasionally the left side did not know what the right side was envisioning.
Thus, recognizing that for the city to grow, it must find a niche, Marshall President Stephen Kopp and Huntington Mayor David Felinton established a steering committee for the Create Huntington project, which asks, what’s your vision for the city of Huntington?
As part of the steering committee’s search for a livable, progressive, creative community, they learned that the city has a rich cultural history. Prospects for the city seem favorable for attracting the creative class, who can choose where they work and live thanks to communications technology. Specifically, the group wants to connect the dots from missing c omponents to ideas that will increase the city’s uniqueness and livability.
After securing a Benedum Foundation $50,000 grant, the first step is to gather input from four segments that make up the city’s stakeholders: Nonprofits and government, residents, business, and the university.
“The new economy is an economy of ideas, artists and scientists,” explained Anne Durham of Mountainside Media.
Among the city strengths suggested by the initial committee: Place, Family, Health Care, Marshall University, Character and its arts history. By contrast, weakness include crime, deteriorated housing, negative self image and lack of tolerance for diversity.
The group explained Phoebe Randolph of Edward Tucker Architects has three committees --- planning, structural (which includes the formation of the non-profit status and plans) and engaging citizens to participate (volunteer) in beautification and upgrades of the living quality of the city. “We hope to set up a Facebook[page] for projects,” Randolph said, explaining that a volunteer could check the Facebook page, see a calendar of volunteer events for that day, and come down to assist.
“We do not want politics,” added Ostie Mathisen, vice president of First State Bank, “we want a continued flow of ideas… ongoing, new unencumbered ideas.”
Vaughn Grisham, a sociology professor and director of the McLean Community Development Institute at the University of Mississippi, conducts three leadership training sessions Oct 6 & 7 in the Dogwood Room at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. The sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m. on Monday and 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 7.
Each group is limited to 16 participants and space is available on a first come, first served basis. To RSVP, email bjacobs-jones@cityofhuntngton.com or call 304-696-5540.
For further data, visit: http://www.createhuntington.com.
Those who gathered Monday evening at BSSA ranged from political officials, such as Sheriff Kim Wolfe, Mayor David Felinton, and activist Tom McCallister to students from Marshall University and interested community members.
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By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
Huntington, WV (HNN) - Comparing the production of “We Are Marshall,” the success of Pullman Square and the university’s own vision statement to a perfect storm, numerous ideas, volunteers and suggestions materialized but occasionally the left side did not know what the right side was envisioning.
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As part of the steering committee’s search for a livable, progressive, creative community, they learned that the city has a rich cultural history. Prospects for the city seem favorable for attracting the creative class, who can choose where they work and live thanks to communications technology. Specifically, the group wants to connect the dots from missing c omponents to ideas that will increase the city’s uniqueness and livability.
After securing a Benedum Foundation $50,000 grant, the first step is to gather input from four segments that make up the city’s stakeholders: Nonprofits and government, residents, business, and the university.
“The new economy is an economy of ideas, artists and scientists,” explained Anne Durham of Mountainside Media.
Among the city strengths suggested by the initial committee: Place, Family, Health Care, Marshall University, Character and its arts history. By contrast, weakness include crime, deteriorated housing, negative self image and lack of tolerance for diversity.
The group explained Phoebe Randolph of Edward Tucker Architects has three committees --- planning, structural (which includes the formation of the non-profit status and plans) and engaging citizens to participate (volunteer) in beautification and upgrades of the living quality of the city. “We hope to set up a Facebook[page] for projects,” Randolph said, explaining that a volunteer could check the Facebook page, see a calendar of volunteer events for that day, and come down to assist.
“We do not want politics,” added Ostie Mathisen, vice president of First State Bank, “we want a continued flow of ideas… ongoing, new unencumbered ideas.”
Vaughn Grisham, a sociology professor and director of the McLean Community Development Institute at the University of Mississippi, conducts three leadership training sessions Oct 6 & 7 in the Dogwood Room at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. The sessions are from 9 a.m. to noon and 2 to 5 p.m. on Monday and 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 7.
Each group is limited to 16 participants and space is available on a first come, first served basis. To RSVP, email bjacobs-jones@cityofhuntngton.com or call 304-696-5540.
For further data, visit: http://www.createhuntington.com.
Those who gathered Monday evening at BSSA ranged from political officials, such as Sheriff Kim Wolfe, Mayor David Felinton, and activist Tom McCallister to students from Marshall University and interested community members.
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