My Wish for City of Central in 2013

What We’d Like to See This Year

Editor’s Note: The Central City News asked a number of Central leaders what they would like to see Central accomplish this year.  Here are their responses.

David Barrow

Chief Administrative Officer

City of Central

For 2013, I would like to see the City of Central’s new Zoning Code adopted and put into use.  We have been working on this code for the last three years, and it is nearing completion.  This new code will correlate to the Master Plan Land Use Plan by creating matching zoning categories and simplying the zoning process.  Both citizens and landowners will now have a better clarification as to the future uses and densities allowed on their properties and areas around them and will take away a lot of the ambiguity in the decision making process.  It will also provide landscape, architectural, and design guidelines for new commercial construction in critical areas of the city, thereby increasing the beauty and characteristics of new buildings in Central.

Supt. Mike Faulk

Central Community Schools

The most important things in the realm of education we would like to see happen include the following:

1) Building a Ninth Grade Academy wing at the high school.

2) Upgrading technology hardware and networking throughout the school system.

3) Continue to address higher academic performance.

Sharon Browing

School Board Member

Central Community Schools

While living in Central my entire life – and never wanting to live anywhere else, I have a wish for 2013.  That wish is for the citizens of Central to count their unbelievable blessings.  While realizing that with growth come other issues, we still experience wonderful living conditions here.  During this year, our citizens must end the petty divisiveness that threatens to undermine our success as a city and demand that our leaders study the forthcoming master plan, address smart growth, and fully support a wonderfully thriving school system.  God has unbelievably blessed this little corner of the earth.  What we do with these blessings is entirely up to us.  If we can come together as a city, we will be a force to be reckoned with.

Ruby Wattlette Foil

School Board Member

Central Community Schools

I find it difficult to identify the single most important thing that I would like to see happen to improve life in Central because there are so many issues that need to be addressed. We need to improve in the areas of traffic congestion, economic development, activities for young people, and unity in the community, to name a few. Since I am a member of Central Community School Board, one issue that I would like to have resolved this year is how to  effectively use the old Middle School property. This is an area that is very important to many people. My hope is that we can find a solution that will benefit the school system and the entire community.

Jay Coleman, Pastor

Journey Church

Central is a wonderful and caring city and we enjoy being a part of all that God is doing in this community.  As we roll into this brand new year, our prayer is for people to realize that God loves them and has a purpose and plan for their life (Jeremiah 29:11).  When that happens within our lives then we become passionate about following Christ and building His kingdom.  This translates into our daily lives by loving our neighbors as ourselves and looking for ways to serve people no matter where we are (Matthew 22:37-39).  Serving others and showing the love of Christ can be as simple as helping someone change a flat tire or cooking a meal for an elderly neighbor.  It is amazing the impact a simple act of love can have on a person’s life and that in turn builds our city.

Ron Erickson, Sr.

President, CEO

City of Central Chamber of

Commerce

We have many dedicated retailers and service providers in the City of Central.  How great would it be if 2013 was the best year they have ever experienced?  Shopping with the Central Merchants and utilizing our area’s service providers, not only helps the economy of our local commerce but also helps produce revenues for our city and schools.  During 2013, let’s renew our efforts to do as much business as possible with our local merchants, service providers, and chamber members!