Help preserve cultural, educational resources

What do clean water, museums and life-long learning opportunities all have in common? They are three things that the citizens of Richland County want, and they will all be discussed at the second annual “State of the Community” County-Wide Conference on Jan. 23, 2009. The issues that affect the quality of life in the communities of Richland County are just as diverse as the county’s residents, which is why the Richland County Health Department, City/County Planner Office and County Planning Board believe that everyone’s input is valued and encouraged at the conference.

This year, the conference will focus on action, and participants will have the chance to comment on community efforts and contribute to community plans affecting a diverse array of issues. In the session on natural resources, community members will have the chance to comment on the progress of the Water Quality Action Group. Since July, this group’s dedicated members have focused on collecting and organizing the information that residents of Richland County need to better understand water quality issues and to make sure that their water is safe through both public and private testing.

They have put together a brochure and a Web site that cover everything from basic water tests to oil drilling regulations and well head protection. Now, they need the community to help them polish these resources and ensure that everyone has the information they need to have safe, clean water. This session will also feature discussions on the importance of natural resources as they relate to agriculture, marketing the county as a site for new business and the Dry-Redwater Regional Water Authority.

Similarly, the session on educational and cultural development will feature a report from the Life-Long Learning Action Group, who will share their progress on creating a virtual hub for learning opportunities in the county as well as their efforts to fine-tune class offerings to make sure they meet the needs of the entire community, from high school students to employees to retired individuals who may be looking to learn a new hobby or other skill.

They will need your help making sure everyone can use these important resources and to make sure that the desires of every county resident in regards to all kinds of learning, from hobbies and music lessons to certifications and college degrees, are represented and met in the future. Richland County also has a 100th anniversary coming up, so now is the time to give your input on how to preserve, restore and use historic buildings and support our area museums and other cultural resources.

The Growth Policy and Strategic Plan reflect the value that residents of Richland County place on the arts and humanities, so now is the time to make sure they are made a part of the county’s vibrant future.

The future of Richland County belongs to its residents, and at the “State of the Community” County-Wide Conference on Jan. 23 at the St. Matthew’s Center, everyone will have a chance to make their voice a part of the community’s plans and actions.

For more information or to register for the conference, please contact Marcy Hamburg at the Richland County Planner Office at 433-6886 or e-mail her at mhamburg@richland.org. Online registration is also available on the planning Web site at http://www.richland.org/planning. Everyone in the community is also welcome to join the action groups. If you would like to attend a meeting or learn more, please contact Becky Hayes at the Richland County Health Department at 433-2207, or e-mail her at rhayes@richland.org.