Extension involved in determining communities' needs

By MONETTE TAYLOR | South Central Texas Edition

One group of Fayette County citizens put down their thoughts on what services and community issues need to be addressed in the future. The group was just one of many throughout the state that participated in Texas Community Futures Forum, an event facilitated by Texas Cooperative Extension. The results from the meetings will be used by Extension personnel to make long-range plans for educational programs from 2005-2008. -- Staff photo by Taylor

May 13, 2004 -- For the second time in five years, Texas Cooperative Extension offices across the state helped to facilitate Texas Community Futures Forum 2004. The first forums were held in 1999, and the purpose was still the same: "to solicit and prioritize citizens' opinions about the most important needs and concerns."

The results from the meetings will be used by Extension personnel to make long-range plans for educational programs from 2005-2008. Extension programs are open to all citizens of Texas, but with the huge diversity of people, counties, and needs, each county came up with their own agenda for the future.

In Fayette County, Extension agents Larry Nickel and Vi Mueller helped to facilitate the meeting which drew 58 participants from across the county.

As in the other counties across the state, there were two, main issues to be addressed by citizens who attended the meeting: "what are the critical issues facing people in our county over the next five years, and which entities (agencies, organizations, community groups, etc.) are positioned to best address these issues?"

First, participants were divided into several groups and asked to prioritize their needs, with each person voting on 10 issues. Once there was consensus in the smaller groups on the 10 issues, all groups met together, again, to further prioritize the list to the 10 most important issues as per the voting process.

In Fayette County, participants decided the top three issues included preserving the special heritage of the county (Czech and German); economic development; and care for elderly citizens.

Down in South Texas, Atascosa County had 33 participants for the forum, and their top three priorities included working toward a better educated workforce through training; drawing more manufacturing companies and jobs to the area; and enlarging their local library.

Austin County, with a turnout of 74 participants addressed the need of better medical facilities and rural health care; entertainment and recreation for teens; and elimination of the Trans Texas Corridor.

In Bandara County, the issues included better communication between businesses, county offices and city offices; water needs for the future; and more land development in the area.

As the 254 counties decide on their individual needs, Extension personnel will have their work cut out for them, addressing the varied needs across the state. Now that they have their county's key issues in hand, it will be up to the planning committees to decide on the best way to plan for future needs for the people of Texas.