Our Future Summit

Local residents met Aug. 10 to talk about a common vision that would embody the values of a diverse cross-section of the community. Hosted by Our Future Summit, a grassroots nonpartisan public policy education organization, the gathering challenged participants to identify and discuss circumstances that would contribute to a better quality of life here in Summit County, a process initiated last February.

Meeting facilitators Jennifer Kermode and Sarah Stokes Alexander asked the audience to define important core values that make Summit County a special place to live. Many people cited environment, community, and quality of life. Growth issues were seen as a challenge. Important goals were affordable housing, sustainability, business diversity, energy independence, a strong middle class, and increased grassroots participation.

A web survey conducted prior to the meeting asked people about their concerns for the county. Affordable housing/cost of living, traffic/transportation, growth and land use and the environment were identified as having the greatest importance. As part of the February meeting, individuals were asked to submit their vision statements for the County. These have been accumulated into a library of vision statements, and are available along with survey results, at www.ourfuturesummit.org.

The next step, according to Our Future Summit president Howard Hallman, is to distribute a draft vision statement drawn from opinions and values identified in meetings and surveys.

Our Future Summit’s next community forum, After the Pine Beetle, Summit County’s Future Forest Landscape?, is set from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 14 at the Community and Senior Center in the County Commons near Frisco.

The draft statement will be available online and as a handout. Our Future Summit is asking for comments on the proposed statements from residents, businesses, and civic organizations prior to presenting the results later this year. All interested individuals are urged to review accounts of the two visioning exercises, examine proposed vision statements, complete the current survey, and comment on a consensus vision statement, once available, at www.ourfuturesummit.org.