Connecting the community dots

Editor:

OK, what exactly is the connection between, community, business, and government leaders? How are they linked? And how do these groups come together, to make your community work?

Well, we can begin, by connecting the dots, creating an image in our mind's eye, that allows us to visualize and understand the connect-the-dot process for our community. The '09 Forecast theme this year is "The Upside of a Down Economy," and these are some of the questions, asked and answered, during the program on Wednesday, March 25, at the Carson Valley Inn in Minden.

Each panel discussion identifies specific fields of high performance synergy as well as recognizes the official decision-makers and winning forces behind the scenes at work in your neighborhoods, cities, towns and county. Community transportation, safety, education, health, medical, emergency, water, sewer, sanitation, waste-management services, financial budgeting, planning, economic development, recreation and cultural events don't just magically emerge. There are no "Aha!" moments here, or shouts of eureka! It's just plain hard work " from the people who show up every day attending meetings, developing and sharing information, ideas and resources, studying plans to accomplish and oversee community managing, organizing, and administering responsibilities necessary, to produce the most excellent results possible for the citizens in Douglas County.

Each Forecast panelist plays a significant, valuable role, representing an influential dot that forms Douglas County's configuration and profile. Dots that once they are connected, have the ability to achieve successful collaboration and cooperative overall goals for the community. The secret is to collectively find qualified, passionate, dedicated people, willing to work this hard for their community. But, I think you'll find that Douglas County has done just that. And this is definitely an upside to a down economy for the citizens of Douglas County. Come and connect the dots with us, at the Douglas County Forecast '09. We hope to see you there.

Carole Thompson

Executive Director

Douglas County Building Industry Association