Current
Issues P-6
Everyone
knows where the shoe pinches.
We have already
discussed a technique for identifying community issues, the nominal
group process (module E-5). This technique works well for community
meetings of 15 or more individuals. For smaller groups, and for
individual work, you need another way to identify current issues.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the time you finish
this module you should be able to:
1. Identify issues
which are currently important to your community.
2. Use other resources to identify "future" issues which
may affect your group, organization or community.
A CHECKLIST FOR COMMUNITY
ISSUES*
Use the following checklist
to determine issues which may be important to members of your
community. For this checklist "community" is defined
as a geographic area where people live. This may be a small town,
a city, a neighborhood, or a rural area with an identifiable shopping
center. Not all of the items on the list will be relevant to your
community.
Need
to Improve
Now --- In the Future
Community Appearance
Entrance(s) into town
are attractive.
Business district is
clean & attractive;
landscaping,
attractive street signs.
signs to points of interest,
attractive window displays,
program for eliminating "blighted areas,"
recommended architectural "theme,"
trash disposal containers.
Public parks are adequate
(number & size),
generally attractive
and clean,
landscaped,
painted, attractive play equipment,
attractive benches,
clean, attractive bathrooms.
Public buildings are
attractive & clean,
attractively landscaped,
painted and identified,
recommended architectural theme is used.
Streets & sidewalks
- adequate amount,
attractively landscaped,
clean & maintained,
well lighted,
attractive fire hydrants,
dying & diseased trees are replaced.
Residential areas have
clean yards,
nicely landscaped
homes,
homes painted & maintained,
house numbers visible from street,
generally attractive neighborhoods.
Ordinances or programs
for dust control,
control of litter,
junk cars, shacks, etc.,
maintain clean vacant lots,
recycling center,
placement of utility lines & signs.
Community Facilities
& Services
Public water.
Gas service.
Telephone.
Electricity.
Sewer.
Fire Department -- Fire house.
Police Department.
Garbage collection
Trash pick-up.
Civil Defense.
Community center.
Courthouse -- City hall.
Jail.
Water works.
Flood control.
Street cleaning.
Drains & gutters.
Park maintenance.
Cemetery.
Public land fill or dump.
Public library.
Planning & Zoning.
Newspaper.
Radio -- TV.
Bus.
Railroad access.
Airport access.
Stop lights.
Crosswalks.
This checklist can
be expanded for items related to:
Health Services personnel,
Health Services facilities,
Health Services equipment,
Health Programs (immunizations, AA, insect control, etc.),
Housing Options (including finance, building codes, rentals),
Industrial Development (sites, buildings),
Services for Industrial Development (electricity, security,
access to highways, waste disposal, etc.),Labor Force for Industrial
Development,Promotion & Financing for Industrial Development,
Outdoor Recreation facilities,
Indoor Recreation facilities,
Recreation programs (personnel, funding, organizations),
Retail Services (variety, organizations, cooperation, sales
tax, training programs),
Shopping (parking, quality merchandise, competitive prices,
sales),
Tourism (promotion, lodging, food choices, special events).
*This checklist was
developed by Eldon E. Moore and Edward A. Parmee, Community Development
Specialists, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Arizona,
1976.
FUTURE ISSUES
To be effective a community
leader, whether educator or community development worker, needs
to be aware of future trends, projections and predictions. Many
community issues can be anticipated and planned for before they
become problems or concerns of local citizens. Some of the long
term predictions are in the realm of science fiction. Other short
term projections are as certain as death and taxes.
A variety of sources
will help you to keep aware of wild predictions and solid projections
based on current trends.
The Futurist magazine
can be found in many local libraries.
In late December and
early January many news magazines focus on national and international
trends that will affect people in the coming year.
American Renaissance:
Our Life at the Turn of the 21st Century, by Marvin Cetron and
Owen Davies (second edition, 1994), St. Martin's Press,describes
74 trends that will affect America's future. Reprints of the 74
trends can be ordered from the World Future Society, 7910 Woodmont
Avenue, Suite 450, Bethesda, MD, 20814.
Libraries have a variety
of books on future trends. Check under "future." |
