Hot Springs, SD Horizons

When you look at the income producing families in Hot Springs, we have an inordinate number of people who earn their living off of government in one way or another. Although I don’t have any official statistics, I have heard percentages as high as 70%. But, regardless of the percentage, given all the govenmental agencies — State Home, VA, HS school system, city and county government and various other state and federal agencies — the percentage is unusually high for our community. These people, assured of their income do not have to rely on a successful, vibrant business community and economic growth. Thus, they have a less than vested interest toward insuring that local business succeed. As a result, our hard working business men and women continually struggle to survive and we are threatened with more closed businesses and lack of economic development. These government people (many of them leaders in the drive to stifle economic initiatives and the negativity that pervades our community) must be conviced that a thriving business community and accelerated enhanced economic development is good for everyone.

It appears that this sub group is doing great things to get a club here in HS. Without really kicking off a fund drive, they have pledges of at least $6000. They are now working with the Hill City B&G to finalize the roadmap which will help insure success. This is a vital investment in the community’s youth — our future leaders and we must promote this as a Horizon’s success story.

We have got to do a much better job in HS in suppressing the negativity. There seems to be a very small group of people who are opposed to virtually every new change and, as a result we have a hard time gaining traction in moving ahead on major initiatives. There is a cadre of folks who do take a leadership position in making good things happen for the welfare of the community but, as is so often the case, the “silent majority” reigns. We have got to find ways to empower this silent group to move to the front in making their voices heard as they are the people who are wishing things could move forward without constant fighting and contention. They seem to be unwilling to take a public stand for fear of some kind of retribution.

Bloggers and Springers — Please read these questions and consider your answers. Our Horizons sponsors want to gain valid and reliable information about each Horizons community. The more you write, the better sense they can get about us, our strengths and weakness, and how they can support us through education, training and so on. HERE ARE THE APRIL QUESTIONS:

Please choose one or two questions in EACH category to address on your blog:

8. Sustaining action and creating structural change around leadership

What is your community’s plan for maintaining a strong community leadership system?

How can your community sustain the changes it has already made in its leadership?

What structural changes have been made in how the community does its work/makes decisions?

What structural changes have been made so that your community leadership sustains partnerships with others?

12. Sustaining action and creating structural change around community

How will your community make decisions about seeking further resources to support its plans?

Is a system in place to seek, receive, monitor and report on new resources to support community work?

Is a system in place to maintain contact with, or to continue to work with other communities? With your Delivery Organization? In other partnerships?

What new resources have been secured to assist the work of the community?