The newly-formed Friends of Schoharie County could be picking up where the Four Partners’ Economic Summit work left off.
Building on President Barack Obama’s call for change—while stressing they’re non-partisan—the loosely-structured grassroots group met Monday to brainstorm where they’re needed most.
The group has already decided to focus on agriculture, climate and sustainability, and economic development—all addressed in some form by the April 2008 Economic Summit.
Monday, about 25 people sat down with Chamber Director Jodie Rutt, Alicia Terry of County Planning, Assemblyman Pete Lopez, and Ron Filmer of Rural Preservation and the County IDA, to figure out how all of those things fit together.
“We’re just a group of people trying to do good things for the county,” said Kathy Catlin of Gallupville.
“We don’t want to go off on our own,” added Bob Smith of Wright. “Tell us how a group of citizens can facilitate” the recommendations in the Economic Summit report.
Though supervisors never formally accepted the Summit report, Ms. Rutt said there’s been considerable progress on some of the recommendations.
A task force is working on bringing in broadband access over the power lines, nearly every municipality has their land use and zoning codes posted on the county website, and in January, the Chamber created BIG, a group of counselors to help incubate and mentor would-be businesses, all things suggested in the report.
Other efforts are addressing the Empire Zone and keeping young people in the county, and the Chamber was successful in getting more money for tourism from supervisors—again all things suggested by the Summit.
Still, Ms. Rutt said, there’s plenty more to do.
“If anyone says, ‘That’s my baby…’ “
Some of the group questioned why the supervisors never adopted the plan; Tom Smith of Schoharie questioned how it could have any “teeth” without it.
Assemblyman Lopez said that doesn’t mean they don’t support the plan, just that they’re too busy.
“Half the battle [of elected office] is being reactive,” he said. “The other part is being pro-active. It’s a question of time.
“This is a place for your group. There’s enough work here for an army of volunteers.”
Ms. Rutt also added that she sees the plan succeeding every time someone takes a suggestion on it and runs with it.
After a couple hours of discussion, the Friends agreed to meet again May 4 as a group at the Schoharie Presbyterian Church at 7pm.
Between now and then, the hope is that the people who signed up Monday to work on ag, climate, economic development, affordable housing—suggested by Ed August of Schoharie--or any other topics they’d like to work on will hold some brainstorming sessions of their own.
“It’s not just the people here,” added Ms. Catlin. “We’re hoping you’ll take these ideas and add on people.”
“Ask, ‘Who are my friends?’, suggested Mr. Smith. “Invite them over. Don’t wait. You have permission to go home and call them tonight.”
For more information on the Friends of Schoharie County, contact Mr. Smith at 872-0518, duvallrs@localnet.com, or Ms. Catlin, 872-2189, kcatlin@nycapp.rr.com.