Horizons group moves on to survey and community plans for the future
Horizons group moves on to survey and community plans for the future
By ALLAN TINKER
The end of August is the deadline for submission of the application that will show the plans for McClusky’s action against poverty in the community. Horizons Coach Kayla Effertz was present on Thursday, June 18, as Larry Gessner took over the Horizons’ reins from Robin Silbernagel, who is leaving the community because of career changes.
The program, which drew local media attention last year when reports from the other cities that tried the Northwest Area Foundation program surfaced, started in McClusky with a meeting called by Sheridan County Extension Agent Crystal Schaunaman.
The program, designed to address all aspects of poverty, quickly resulted in four study circle groups that learned about these poverty issues, listed the assets of the community and plans of action for the future. A community newsletter that is published every two weeks and the planting of the trees near the McClusky Merchant’s sign on Main Street have been two of the most visible results of these committees.
With a cold and snow-filled winter to add to the challenge, the committees and the Leadership Plenty trainers, Dan Klemisch, Robin Bauer and Aaron Pakome, presented nine modules to other Horizons participants in early evening and afternoon sessions at the McClusky City Community room.
Now, it is time to go back and find out what is important for the future of the community, said Effertz. The input from a percentage of the people in the community is needed, at least 44 persons. “Young and old need to tell us what’s going on.”
“Status quo” complacency will not help the community the group decided and most of the current meeting’s members were excited for the next phase.
Kelly Gessner started a scrapbook of the Horizons project and passed around the book for the audience to see. She also volunteered to collect survey results within the city for the plan’s creation.
$1,500 will be presented to the Horizons group when the plan is submitted. If the plan is approved and the goals are met as specified from within the plan, then the remaining money $10,000 will be given to the Horizons group for a speci
