Community: Farnam Population: 227
Information: Community Development Process
Contact Person: Ricky Wach
Day/Night Phone: 308-569-2443
Submission Style: Website
If website submission, what is the web address? http://farnamnebraska.blogspot.com
Part I – Overall Planning and Leadership Development Process (40 Points)
With a maximum of five pages (page maximum applies to binder option ONLY), please address the following questions with written responses and supporting documentation, such as news articles and photos.
1. Describe the community or multi-communities planning process.
a) How do citizens participate in the process?
Our community uses a number of procedures that allow citizens to participate in the planning process. In past years we have conducted survey as well as conducted town hall meetings to allow for input from all in the community. In November of 2009, the Farnam Economic Development Committee hosted a volunteer recognition and goals setting banquet. A soup and pie buffet was provided free of charge for all of those in attendance. Volunteer groups and individuals were recognized for their efforts. The Leadership group, which began meeting in August, was pointed out as being an important group of people for the future of Farnam. Following the dinner, all of those in attendance discussed the community and where they would like to see it go over the next year. Andrea McClintic of DED led the process. She first went over accomplishments of past years and then asked for ideas for future goals. The results of the Community Survey conducted by the leadership group were used to help in this process.
This survey was another way that all citizens, rural and village, were asked to help with the planning process for the town. The survey was delivered or mailed to all patrons of the Farnam post office. These were then picked up or returned by mail so the committee could tabulate them.
Dave Jeffries of Paulsen’s Construction gave insight into the remodeling of the old school building and also some of the activities carried out by the village of Oconto.
b) What methods are used to set goals and priorities to build consensus toward a common vision? (Ex: surveys, town hall meetings, etc.)
The methods used to set goals and build a consensus towards a common vision have been described in “part a”. The survey conducted by the leadership group followed by the town hall meeting went a long way toward getting the feelings of the general population and provided a basis for the setting of goals. Many of the goals set in past years, which have not yet been completed, were also included for the current year. Letters from the tree board and the Farnam Economic Development Corporation were sent with water bills to all citizens to explain the tree ordinances and also the nuisance ordinances to help encourage clean up projects.
c) What methods are used to evaluate community progress?
Community progress is evaluated every month at the Farnam Economic Development Corporation meetings. Also, through the development of the annual scrapbook for the NCIP program, the accomplishments completed in the various identified projects are evaluated to see which ones should be entered in the scrapbook. The annual goals setting meeting usually held in the fall, provides another venue for people to look at what has been done over the past year and see what changes need to be made in our projects or our methods of accomplishment for the coming year. The leadership group keeps track of the progress of its Keystone Project at their meetings.
d) Describe the type of plans and strategies that have been developed by the community.
As a result of the Community Goals Setting Meeting in November of 2009, strengths and weaknesses of the community were discussed and two new priorities of the community were identified. They were:
1) Work to find a new site for the post office to help keep it in the community.
2) Help the leadership committee find a use for the old elementary school building
In addition to these two, goals set in prior years were to be continued in the coming year. These included:
3) Work on vacant lot clean-up
4) Removal of substandard buildings
5) Clean up trashy areas in town
6) Replace broken and unsafe sidewalks
7) Continue support of the Tree Board as they remove dead trees and plant new ones
8) Work toward business expansion and recruitment
e) What style/type of community assessment and planning program does your community utilize?
The community hosts a goals setting meeting for all area community members. This gives everyone a chance to have input on past activities, goals and accomplishments as well as help to set goals for the future. We also have a community survey periodically which gives every house the opportunity to offer input about their community.
2. Describe the community’s efforts to develop local leadership and volunteerismThe Leadership Group, which started in August of 2009, is giving anyone that is interested in developing projects in Farnam a chance to do just that. We are always actively recruiting people to take leadership roles in various community projects.
We are actively recruiting people to take leadership roles in various community activities. This past year we have been active in the Nebraska Community Leadership Program. This has brought over 20 people together to work towards community development and give them the tools that they need to take on leadership roles needed throughout the community.
We have a YCIP committee that encourages the youth of the community to take leadership roles with various projects. They have an aluminum-recycling project, set up a booth for the Community Carnival, and take on other projects throughout the year.3. How does your community identify community organizations and their roles?
a) Describe how this information is shared and used in the community.
The community has developed a flow chart that lists all community organizations and how each falls in the scheme of the community. This not only makes people aware of all of the organizations within the community that they can be a part of but also shows if they are responsible to any other umbrella group. This chart is contained in the booklet handed out by the Welcome Wagon Committee to all families new to the community. In this booklet is also contained the names of the various individuals with whom they may come into contact such as the village clerk, librarian, ministers, village maintenance person, etc., as well as the hours their offices are open. Businesses are also listed in the pamphlet and the services that they provide. A copy of the flow chart is located at the conclusion of the information presented here.
b) Describe how various organizations work together to plan and implement projects and maximize resources.
4. Has your community conducted a needs assessment survey in the last three years?Each organization is encouraged to have at least one member attend the goals setting meeting so they can report back what the plans are. Each organization is then encouraged to get involved with one or more projects that they wish to help with.
Yes XX No_____ (If yes, please include the tabulated results in the Appendix)
(Find the tabulated results and comments following Number 7 question on this page.)
If yes, describe how the survey has been used as part of the community planning process. If no, describe other efforts made to compile community input for needs identification.
5. Has your community conducted an inventory of resources or started to enter data into the Location One Information System (LOIS) or the Nebraska Economic Development Info (NEDI online)? Yes XX No ____The results of the survey were used directly by the Leadership Group to select the project that they wished to pursue as their Capstone Project. The survey results are also used at the goals setting meeting to help the members of the community decide what projects they select for the year.
If yes, please include a print out of these pages in the appendix.http://sites.nppd.com/aedc/fastfacts.asp?city=farnam
6. Does your community have a website? Yes XX No_____
Website: http://www.farnamnebraska.com7. Did your community submit a website nomination for the Governor’s Community Spirit Award? Yes XX No_____ (10 points for web submission)
1. How important is it to promote the homes that we have for sale?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
0 0 3-9 19-76 23-115 200 5th
2. How important is it to clean up substandard housing and vacant lots?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
0 0 3-9 8-32 35-175 216 2nd
3. How important is it that all streets are hard surfaced?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
1-1 17-34 10-30 17-68 2-10 143 10th
4. How important is it that current sidewalks are repaired?
(if financial help is available)
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
0 0 5-12 25-100 16-80 192 6th
5. How important is it that current sidewalks are repaired?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
2-2 14-28 8-24 20-80 3-15 149 9th
6. How important is it to find a positive use for the school buildings?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
0 0 2-6 12-48 33-165 219 1st
7. How important is it to attract new businesses to available or new buildings?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
0 0 2-6 19-76 24-120 202 3rd
8. How important is it to create and provide new job opportunities?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
0 0 5-15 14-56 26-130 201 4th
9. How important is it to provide new recreational opportunities?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
0 3-6 17-51 21-84 5-25 166 8th
10.How important is it to update our utilities?
Not at all Not Very No Opinion Somewhat Extremely Total Points Rank
1-1 4-8 11-33 20-80 10-50 172 7th
How important is it to promote the homes we have for sale?
List the housing available on our web site with pictures and DSL link.
How important is it to clean up substandard housing and vacant lots?
Clean up your own. Owners responsibility. Put on back burner for awhile. People are cleaning up. Give it a couple years, a time out. Stop cutting down trees.
How important is it that all streets are hard-surfaced?
Not a big deal. North and south streets at least.
How important is it that current sidewalks are repaired? (if financial help available)
Funds are an issue.
How important is it that all streets have sidewalks?
Main street walks. People walk. Main street only.
How important is it to find a positive use for the school buildings?
Possible apartments or business. Important before you doze it.
How important is it to attract new businesses to available or new buildings?
Parts and maybe a feed store. Important to use available buildings.
Support business. Don't hurt existing businesses. Sell houses.
How important is it to create and provide new job opportunities?
Important for town's survival.
How important is it to provide new recreational opportunities?
Improve camping area and change park playground pebbles to rubber.
How important is it to update our utilities?
Sewer system needs updated. Fix street signs.
General comments:
-Promote area as a good place to retire (retired farmers, etc.) Promote hunting/lodges.
-Clean weeds in alleys and property of citizens. Clean weeds, grass clippings, trash off paved streets. Replace/repair telephone wires, tv, cable, and internet.
-All things marked extremely need to be done to appeal to potentially new community members to keep our town going.
-All these things are good ideas. I'd like to know where everyone was when the school was hurting. Brady fought for theirs and it's going strong. Without a school all the improvements in the world will not bring young families to town. Let alone, there isn't any good employment close by.
-Old buildings are what makes towns have curb appeal. This town has no downtown character like tons of other towns. Slapping up new buildings and putting trailer houses on main street does not add character! Go to other small towns, you see cute, fixed up old buildings, planter boxes, small trees, etc. Farnam's downtown doesn't look "homey". It looks plain and unfinished. Downtown Farnam wouldn't make anyone pull over and drive through like a lot of small towns. Buildings need painted, trees need planted, we have no character at all. The new "trailer house" on main street looks like a "trailer house" on main street, not a library. All the buildings we used to have that gave main street it curb appeal have been torn down.
-Need to see that our laws, by-laws, and ordinances are enforced, what good are your goals, if not obeyed.
-More fundraising activities for community projects, etc., to update town.
-Chamber of Commerce need, linked to phone numbers and web site.
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