This last week was very busy and very interesting. Monday was a holiday, so Tuesday was the first day of the week.
The week started off in Nampa with Council Persons Alicia Fowler, Sterling Blackwell and I attending the semi-annual workshop of Associated of Idaho Cities. This session was a hands-on team effort to “re-build” a hypothetical downtown area after a fire. We were given a “map” of a downtown area, which buildings had survived, and, as in real life, a number of competing interests on what was wanted and needed for the present and future of the “new” downtown. It needed to have a mix of business and residential, arts and education, parks, and other amenities. On top of it all financial considerations had to be taken into effect with absorption rates, non-taxable properties, relative tax value for diverse types of property, etc. culminating in a projected return rate for the developer and tax income for the services provided to the area. It was a remarkably interesting and challenging exercise.
Alicia, Sterling, and I were on the same team developing our “city” and benefited from each other’s insights. This exercise is potentially beneficial as the Economic Development Committee begins working with the Main Street America program.
On Wednesday, City Clerk David Tate and I attended the last in-person training for the Blue-Cross of Idaho Foundation’s Community Health Academy in Boise. There were two sessions for the day: one on walking and biking and another on communication. The session on walking/biking was similar to the one held last spring here in the Vendome. However, a gentleman named Mark Fenton, an MIT engineer who is considered the “Michael Jordon” of the walking world, presented this session. The credentials may seem a little arrogant, but Mark was a very down to earth and knew that a one size fits all solution does not work everywhere. Every community is different with unique needs and abilities. David and I came away with several ideas and, just as importantly, possible funding sources.
The communications workshop was centered around telling the city’s “story.” In other words, what makes Weiser Weiser? Why are we unique? Why do we live in Weiser? It was a wonderful way to think in terms of a story instead of just facts.
Overall, the Community Health Academy was a thought provoking and useful experience. There is one more Zoom session this Friday. Then in November, I will have a one-on-one session with the Foundation leaders to discuss a community health project. The foundation will be offering a grant for Weiser’s proposed project of up to $20,000. I have some ideas of my own but would like to also hear from you. So…if you have ideas of projects that could promote healthier living in Weiser, please let me know.
In City news this week, Timbra Long, the librarian, wanted me to let you know the Library will have ANOTHER movie day this Friday, October 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This week’s feature presentation will be “The Bad Guys.”
At first, I was alarmed by this title! Why would we want to show a movie about BAD GUYS to a bunch of kids? But then, I looked it up online and I guess it looks OK. The animated movie is based on a series of children’s books by the same name about bad animal actors who try to go straight. The reviews and audience ratings are high and there appears to be a good moral to the story. So, if you are looking for something to do this Friday while school is out, go on over to the Library for some good movie fun.
Also, Wayne Wallace of the Electrical Department said the electrical crew usually trim trees out of the power lines during the winter months. Winter is the time of year that the leaves are off from the trees and therefore easer for the crew to trim and to see which limbs need to be trimmed. So, if your leaves are starting to touch the lines, please be patient, winter will be here soon.
Well, that’s it for this week. If you have ideas for the community health grant, please let me know. And, have a great week!
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