Community Forums Scheduled to Help Manistee Update Strategic Plan

MANISTEE, MI - Saturday, January 8, 2011 – Manistee’s City Council and City government leaders are seeking the help of City residents along with all other community interests in updating the City’s Strategic Plan for the next three years. Input is needed from diverse interests in the community, from our youth to seniors to people who represent our schools, businesses and nonprofit organizations, to ensure that the Strategy for the City’s future responds to community priorities.

Three community forums, all open to the general public, are scheduled for January 12, 13, and 17, 2011. The forums will be facilitated by the Alliance for Economic Success on behalf of the City to obtain input for the Strategic Plan update that is scheduled to be adopted by the City by May 4, 2011.

The schedule for the Community Forums is:

Date: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Location: Manistee City Hall, Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, Manistee
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Date: Thursday, January 13, 2011
Location: St. Joseph Civic Club, 900 Vine Street, Manistee
Time: 7:00 p.m.

Date: Monday, January 17, 2011
Location: Jefferson School, 515 Bryant Street, Manistee
Time: 7:00 p.m.

The City’s current Strategic Plan may be viewed by going to www.ci.manistee.mi.us or by obtaining a copy at the City Manager’s Office in Manistee’s City Hall. That plan establishes a vision for the city and the missions for City Council to attain that vision along with strategic goals involving economic development and jobs; city infrastructure; city beaches, parks and recreation area; financial stability; intergovernmental relationships; and housing, homelessness and senior citizens.

“We want people to bring their fresh ideas and suggestions as well as their concerns to these sessions so that they can be considered as we update the City’s Strategic Plan,” said Mayor Richard Mack. “Our strategy can only be meaningfully updated if we have the participation and input of those most affected. We are increasingly challenged by the state and national economy in seeing that the City provides the services that are most vital to our citizens and the long-term growth and development of the community. City Council and city government exist to serve the community and we need the input and ongoing participation of the entire community so that we can fulfill our missions.”