Can Covington teach Troy a lesson?
The Village of Covington is looking towards the future and bringing citizens along with them.
A couple of weeks ago, I had to spend the day in Covington for work, and I have to say, it's been quite a while since I last visited this community in the northwest part of our county. But when I drove through, I couldn't help but notice the positive changes that have taken place. It seems like things are getting better in Covington.
First off, High Street (State Route 41/48) has recently undergone reconstruction, and there are new developments popping up downtown. I spotted a new restaurant and a Casey's gas station right in the heart of the community. It's impressive to see new growth and development in a town of about 2,600 people. It's definitely something worth noticing and celebrating.
But that's not all. I also came across a quick blurb in the local paper about what the Village Government is up to. The Covington Village Council had their first reading of a resolution to update the strategic plan for 2023. This plan outlines the values that the Village Council aims to follow throughout the year. They include authenticity, transparent government, managed services, and fiscal responsibility. Each value comes with a set of goals for the village to achieve.
The strategic plan is updated annually to reflect completed goals, ongoing goals, and new goals for the village. It also includes a list of specific projects and priorities they want to focus on in 2023. Some of these priorities are finishing the High Street roadway project, the Wastewater Treatment Facility project, the Schoolhouse Park project, trails and bike paths, the Sellman's Warehouse project, the Government Center project, completing unfinished projects, and the economic development project.
The Village of Covington wants to involve the community in the strategic planning process, so they have created a survey where residents can provide feedback on the plan and priorities. If you're interested, you can check out the survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CovingtonStrategicPlan2023
Having a plan is essential for any organization, including local governments. It sets a clear direction for where the organization wants to go and what it wants to achieve. I was particularly impressed by the Village of Covington's plan because it emphasizes their core values: authenticity, transparent government, managed services, and fiscal responsibility. These values are crucial for building trust within the community.
Moreover, Covington has laid out some specific objectives they want to accomplish, as seen in their impressive list of projects. Considering the size of the community, with less than 3,000 residents, it's quite ambitious. It might be challenging to complete everything in 2023, but the point is that they are transparently sharing their goals with the residents. As long as they make significant progress in these areas, the residents will understand that their community is growing and that the local government is working for their benefit.
But what really impressed me was the survey initiative by the Village of Covington. They are actively seeking input from residents regarding the values, vision, and goals of the community. Public participation is essential in the planning process, especially at an early stage. It allows for fresh ideas and enthusiasm about the future of the community. Conversely, involvement at later stages tends to be more critical and less constructive. In the end local government always end up with public participation and it is much better to get it early in the process.
Now, you might be wondering, why is all this planning so important? Well, I believe that communities are dynamic and ever-changing. Behind the scenes, there's a complex network of people and things that continuously shape and define our community, from the busy commercial centers to the quietest neighborhoods. And this evolution is driven by a collective spirit—a spirit of cooperation, a desire to improve our community, and a promise to make it better each day.
That spirit, that drive to improve our community, can only come alive through proper planning. It's not enough to just aim randomly; we need to set our sights higher, farther, and deeper to determine where we want to go and work towards that goal. Planning, discussing, and deciding are what help us understand our aim.
The truth is, we're always aiming for something, but oftentimes, we fail to define exactly what that something is. That's where Covington comes in. They're showing us that they're aiming for something worthwhile. They have a clear vision and goals in mind.
So, can Covington teach something to Troy?
Well, I believe so. When we live in a community that upholds strong values, sets clear goals, and actively seeks public input, the local government can foster more trust between themselves and the citizens they serve.
Covington is setting a standard for how things should be done, and for that, we're grateful. Thank you, Covington, for leading the way.
I think the main difference is that the leaders in Covington are actively engaged with the residents, while there is a real feeling that our leadership in Troy is sitting in their own bubble.
The larger question is, will Troy listen & learn? I fear the current administration is not interested in the citizens, or growth, outside their own narrow purview.