WWW arkcity.net

Photo by Donita Clausen click image to enlarge

By DAKOTAH M. DAVIS
Winfield Publishing Co.

Last month local residents were asked to lend their voices to a plan for improving economic opportunities and the quality of life throughout Cowley County.

Called focus groups, the discussions took place during 24 private sessions held in restaurant conference rooms and community centers across the county. This week, Vision 20/20 -- a branch of the county's economic development organization, Cowley First -- released a summary of what was said during the focus groups. The summary is now available online.

Vision 20/20 volunteers, along with a professional consultant, led the focus group process. At least 160 county residents participated, suggesting ideas for improving the area and increasing opportunities for the future. Participants were encouraged to speak freely about which social and community issues were important to them, both personally and on a larger scale. Areas of concern included topics such as the need for more affordable housing, beautifying city entryways and creating better educational and recreational opportunities for both children and adults.

The completed summary can be viewed on the web at www.cowleyfirst.com. A copy can also be obtained by calling 221-9951.

Vision 20/20 used the focus group input to create a three-page opinion survey that will be distributed to a random sample of 4,000 registered voters later this month. The surveys will be distributed through the mail starting July 25. Organizers need to receive the surveys back by Aug. 5 so statistics can be compiled. Respondents will be provided with a self-addressed, stamped envelope for returning the surveys, which are completely anonymous.

Survey questions touch on a variety of topics. For example, survey creators are interested in whether residents feel there is a shortage of good jobs or a shortage of good restaurants in Cowley County. They also want to know whether community government or other leaders should support agritourism businesses or historic preservation in downtown business districts.

To encourage survey participation, Vision 20/20 is including with the surveys a drawing for valuable prizes. Only those who fill out their surveys and return them by the due date will be eligible. An entry form for the drawing will be included in each of the mailed surveys, returnable in the envelope provided. Prizes include a 35-inch TV with a DVD/VCR player valued at $450 and a digital camera valued at $399.

A separate set of surveys will be distributed through local newspapers. Surveys can also be picked up and returned at city offices, grocery stores, banks and libraries. Specific drop box locations are indicated on the back of each survey. Results of the surveys will be compiled for the purposes of additional information.

Vision 20/20 is a committee formed under the economic development group, Cowley First. Vision 20/20's job is to gather information from the public during this special visioning and planning process. The information gathered from community opinion will help guide the actions of the Cowley First team in deciding which public and private programs could best serve residents in the future. Cowley First is a partnership of local government bodies including the Cowley County Commission and the cities of Winfield and Arkansas City, as well as Cowley County Community College.

The focus group summary was compiled by Marla Flentje, senior consultant with the Austin Peters Group Inc., an independent Overland Park consulting firm assisting in the visioning process. Flentje and county administrator Leroy Alsup wrote and designed the opinion survey which was edited by Vision 20/20 members.

Two dozen local volunteers comprise the Vision 20/20 group which is chaired by Winfield's Dave Galliart, loan officer for Stonegate Mortgage in Winfield.

Above: Danny Jones and Denise Noonan were just part of a crew of workers that were busy Wednesday setting up the Key Ingredients: America by Food exhibit down at 110 South Summit in Arkansas City.