September 20, 2011
, Minot Daily News
Minoters took advantage of Monday night's opportunity to offer their suggestions for the future of the city. There was a large turnout at the Community Recovery Open House at Jim Hill Middle School.
Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel welcomed hundreds of written comments that will be used to determine the direction of long-range planning as the city works to recover from massive flooding that ripped through the heart of Minot earlier this year.
"This evening is about the citizens of Minot coming out and talking about their long-term recovery ideas," explained Timothy Gelston, FEMA. "We are seeking comments on topics relating in some way to various facets of the community."
Citizens concerned about flood recovery were given several "post-it" notes upon arrival to what is referred to as an Emergency Support Function 14 session. Attendees were encouraged to write their concerns or visions for the future of the city and attach the notes to an appropriate poster board in the cafeteria area at Jim Hill.
Many of the written comments expressed concern about the lack of answers regarding the whereabouts and extent of future flood control projects within the city. Several homeowners commented that they have been waiting much too long to hear about future flood control plans that will help them determine whether they should rebuild or move out of flooded areas. The lack of housing, particularly affordable housing, also appeared to be one of the hot topics of the evening.
"There's a wide range of projects we can identify in an evening like this," said Gelston. "These kinds of events really focus attention."
Another ESF-14 input session is scheduled for Burlington Elementary School Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. A third meeting, one for all citizens of Ward County, is set for Jim Hill Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone who did not attend one of the earlier meetings is invited to submit their comments during the Saturday session.
All of the comments received at the three meetings will be scrutinized by FEMA officials for the purpose of identifying what citizens consider the most important visions for the future. Some of the ideas will be carried forward to a series of meetings which will be held in October. At those meetings citizens will be asked to choose from a list of suggestions for the long-term future of the city and determine an order of priority.
Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel welcomed hundreds of written comments that will be used to determine the direction of long-range planning as the city works to recover from massive flooding that ripped through the heart of Minot earlier this year.
"This evening is about the citizens of Minot coming out and talking about their long-term recovery ideas," explained Timothy Gelston, FEMA. "We are seeking comments on topics relating in some way to various facets of the community."
Citizens concerned about flood recovery were given several "post-it" notes upon arrival to what is referred to as an Emergency Support Function 14 session. Attendees were encouraged to write their concerns or visions for the future of the city and attach the notes to an appropriate poster board in the cafeteria area at Jim Hill.
Many of the written comments expressed concern about the lack of answers regarding the whereabouts and extent of future flood control projects within the city. Several homeowners commented that they have been waiting much too long to hear about future flood control plans that will help them determine whether they should rebuild or move out of flooded areas. The lack of housing, particularly affordable housing, also appeared to be one of the hot topics of the evening.
"There's a wide range of projects we can identify in an evening like this," said Gelston. "These kinds of events really focus attention."
Another ESF-14 input session is scheduled for Burlington Elementary School Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. A third meeting, one for all citizens of Ward County, is set for Jim Hill Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anyone who did not attend one of the earlier meetings is invited to submit their comments during the Saturday session.
All of the comments received at the three meetings will be scrutinized by FEMA officials for the purpose of identifying what citizens consider the most important visions for the future. Some of the ideas will be carried forward to a series of meetings which will be held in October. At those meetings citizens will be asked to choose from a list of suggestions for the long-term future of the city and determine an order of priority.
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