By JAMES BELL
Hays Post
VICTORIA — It has been said,it's the little things that make all the difference. That attitude was on full display during the second of three Imagine Ellis County town hall events that looked to explore the future of Ellis County.
The meeting took place Thursday at the VFW Hall in Victoria, giving area residents another opportunity to share, develop and discuss the future of Ellis County and its municipalities.
Participants, including local leaders and business owners, shared their thoughts on life in Ellis County and in Victoria — from the good to the bad — with many small and relatively quick community goals suggested along with more major projects, including the development of an already proposed Greenway Trail and redevelopment of the former rest home in the heart of the city.
While many of the typical topics that affect area economies, such as lacking retail options, a shortage of child care and workforce concerns, were addressed, the conversations cited a lack of organized communication methods and community leadership, as specific concerns within the city.
After opening remarks from Hays City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, Heartland Community Foundation Executive Director Sarah Meitner and Grow Hays Executive Director Doug Williams and Dane G. Hansen Foundation consultant Betty Johnson began the event breaking the participants into four groups of eight to 10.
Each group then considered topics discussed during the event, with a purposefully open dialogue.
“Whatever you want it to be is what we want to hear,” Johnson said. “Nothing’s off the table.
“We've had some amazing ideas come out of these kinds of sessions and these kinds of processes,” she said. “So, you know, money is always an issue down the road. But tonight, we're here for ideas and to really see what we can come up with. It's your county. It's your community. It's your part of the world. And whatever you want it to be is what we want to hear tonight, whether you think it's crazy or insane, put it out there.”
The groups first considered what was going well in Ellis County.
Events such as the Wild West Festival and Herzogfest were listed as beneficial to area residents, along with parks, health care and educational organizations.
But a central location, safety, including above-average emergency medical services and law enforcement agencies engaged in the county and communities, also were top benefits named.
Expanded affordable shopping, including a grocery or dollar-type store in Victoria, county-wide public transportation, and small business development were listed as needs by the groups. But community communication was cited by several groups as a concern in the city.
“We have a city Facebook page, but a lot of people don't know or use that,” said Victoria Utilities Clerk Nancy Piatt. “Our city newsletter only comes out quarterly. If you don't go to church and get the bulletins, which is a good resource of information, but if you're a Catholic, you don't get that information.”
Along with large needs and proposed projects, the groups also outlined a number of smaller desires that could be implemented fairly quickly and easily.
One idea was a countywide trail that would connect Ellis County communities.
Johnson said she has seen communities build trails a little bit at a time, and said overall it could be “very, very doable.”
Another; more tree throughout the county.
“You could do a tree and honor and memory of somebody or in honor of your family,” Johnson said.
Flower pots lining Main Street in Victoria, a community garden and enhanced signs around town were also discussed.
“Those are things that can happen quickly and easily. Those are things that we could ramp up pretty quickly,” Johnson said.
But she said ongoing projects, including the proposed Greenway Trail and rest home redevelopment, and the engagement of the community at the event shows the dedication to grow Victoria and Ellis County.
“I like it," Johnson said. "You're building community and getting people together, and I think that's what's important and that's how you'll continue to grow and make things happen."
The third Imagine Ellis County town hall is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 7 at Gigi's Cafe, 814 Washington, Ellis.
