Residents who participate in their local government not only get the opportunity to bring their ideas to the table, but the participation also fosters great working relationships between them and their local leaders. That relationship is what the Firestone Board of Trustees is seeking from local residents who are able to be a part of a process to look at the Town’s streets and parks sustainability initiative.
The town has organized two community outreach meetings in March 2013 to start discussions regarding the streets and parks sustainability initiative and Firestone’s needs for the future. Each of the meetings will discuss and highlight the same topics, so residents are encouraged to attend the one that best fits their schedule. The meetings are set for March 16 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., and on March 19 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Both meetings will be at Firestone Town Hall, 151 Grant Ave.
The town also recently completed a community survey that asked for feedback regarding the most recent ballot initiative that failed in the November 2012 election. Ballot question 2A was a tax initiative proposing a 1 percent sales tax increase for 15 years to address capital improvement and maintenance projects, fund street improvements and provide critical infrastructure. The temporary component of the tax would have allowed voters to re-address the issue when the time limit was met.
Currently, there are no sales tax revenues dedicated to streets operations and maintenance. As a result, many of the streets have begun to deteriorate sooner than they should.
The survey results have been tallied and the Board of Trustees is thankful for the great response. The results will allow them to weigh in on the details of what the public views as important when it comes to Firestone’s future.
Since the November election, the Board of Trustees has spent numerous work sessions reviewing options for a sustainability plan for streets and parks. While they are reviewing several scenarios, the community outreach meetings will allow them to visit with residents and garner further ideas on the best steps forward.