How Can We Do Better Mount Airy?

.....On Focusing To Improve the Economic Well-Being

and Quality of Life For Our Community

How would you describe Mount Airy? How do you envision Mount Airy in 5 – 10 or even 15 years? The answers to these questions are paramount to the next question – how should Mount Airy pursue economic development and what does that mean for you as a resident, and taxpayer?

I found the best overall description of Economic Development comes from Lane County, Oregon – “A program, a group of policies, and/or activity that seeks to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community. Ideally, it will create and retain jobs and provide a stable tax base.”

Through this description we see the dual role economic development must offer Mount Airy – improved economic well being AND improved quality of life.

Such development had already begun to take place in Mount Airy prior to 2006. Examples include the investments on Main Street, both in the "Town Center” and on South Main Street. Over the past few years, because business has grown, we have seen “local” businesses move to new locations in Town and we have seen plans for Center Street expansion.

In 2006, newly elected Mayor Frank Johnson stated the following:

"We need an economic development plan for the future that builds on our location and assets. I will ask our Economic Development Commission, with local business groups and partners, to create an economic development plan for the future that builds on our location and our assets, and engages our entire community."

Johnson appointed newly elected Town Councilman John Woodhull as liaison to Economic Development to push through his vision. Unfortunately, John Woodhull was unable to successfully lead the commission to establish the goals and objectives set out by the Mayor. In fact, during his two year tenure, he barely attended meetings. When Mayor Johnson appointed newly re-elected councilwoman Wendi Peters as liaison in May of 2008, Woodhull said;

"perhaps it’s for the best, because I haven’t been able to put in as much time into it as it probably deserved.”

It wasn’t until Councilwoman Wendi Peters was appointed as council liaison that the commission started to meet regularly and went right to work on creating a mission and a vision for the commission. In a presentation to the Town Council just two months later, the Economic Development Commission presented their vision and

“The proposed economic development mission focuses on the quality of life in Mount Airy, using some of the town survey done a few years ago to see what people want and measure it against viable options for the town. The commission will be looking to seek businesses that keep with the flavor of the town. The plan encourages a "work where you live concept."

"Councilwoman Wendi Peters, the council liaison to the commission, said the statement is a good start, and is a "living, breathing document" to change as the commission and town progress."

Within one year, with the leadership of Councilwoman Peters, the Economic Development Commission developed a plan of work.

This is how we can do better Mount Airy. Some people talk the talk, and some walk the walk. Councilwoman Wendi Peters walks the walk with every leadership role she takes on and every plan she initiates.

Frank Johnson presented a viable vision when mapping out his game plan for Economic Development in 2006, however he and his team of “we can do better” failed to execute that plan or provide the commitment to follow through.

Mayoral candidate and current Council Woman Wendi Peters understands the dual purpose economic development must serve. She understands that economic development must not only improve the economic well being but it must also improve the quality of life for the Citizens of Mount Airy. That is why she was and is an ardent supporter of Main Street revitalization, why she supports the development of projects that bring desperately needed facilities and services to our Town and more importantly why she fights for all citizens when ideas that will negatively impact the Town are raised.

We all moved to Mount Airy for a reason. Mayoral Candidate Wendi Peters has lived here her entire life. She has served this great Town for over 20 years. Many of the reasons we moved here were initiated and supported by Wendi Peters. Her understanding of Mount Airy and commitment to the vision of Mount Airy is the Town we now love and call home ourselves.

Mayoral Candidate Wendi Peters is the person we need to lead to this Town! We can do better, and we will. Elect Wendi Peters for Mayor on May 3rd.

Contributed by Guest Blogger Chris Decolli