Hot Springs, SD Horizons

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.

I recently wrote a letter to the editor of the Star in answer to the Bixler’s grandiose plan for Hot Springs. I was recently talking with Catherine and the issue of negativity came up. I told her that since I drove into this town and was looking to make this our home, I never, ever felt anything negative here, and I seem to be super-sensitive about a lot of things in this regard that have added much positive direction to our lives.

During my adult life, I have lived in many small towns, and when you live IN town (as opposed to out of town) especially, and if you are involved in any type of interaction w/the townfolk, there will be the whole spectrum of individual thoughts and beliefs, and by God, each of those people are RIGHT!! And since there is a smaller population in these towns, all this becomes quite obvious and appears prevalent, which I suppose a person could misconstrue as negative. It’s just small town stuff - they all have it, it has been and will always be there.

So with this in mind, when we moved here and after having many experiences in small towns, both negative and positive, we find this town to be just as I said in my letter. We both LOVE it, just the way it is, although it would be nice to have those empty storefronts filled, or at least the owners to fix them up to look decent for the time being. It would also be nice to have those old trailers replaced, but that probably won’t happen any time soon, or to have trash picked up in yards, etc. But it is very much a part of what Hot Springs IS, just by virtue that it is there, and has been for many years, I would assume. It is a representation of a cross-cut of America on a small scale.

I certainly resent people who breeze into town, stay a few months, then read in the paper what they just know we “need”, and say such negative things themselves about the way things are, it makes me wonder what it would look like after they do their thing, and then most likely leave to do the same elsewhere. We all have to share this space, and in my experience I can tell this is being done effectively. Who wants another McTown or huge resort anyway??!!! Taxes would go up as well as housing and cost of living in general, people would be displaced, and there would be a snooty type of atmosphere which I guarantee very few would like. I would be looking for another place to live, one such as this is now with a bit of sprucing up.

I read further in the paper, George Kotti’s Chamber View, and was so pleased to read what I already knew! That there are positive things happening, that people really DO care! People who will donate motel rooms to foreign tourists, and the LaRives who put on the Easter egg hunt for the kids when the Chamber or Town could not afford it. I believe we have an awesome little burg here; all we may need to get what we need is a bit more positive attitude; it’s infective, as is negativity. Let’s go for the beautiful vision of what we want Hot Springs to be! Dream it, work for it, and it will be there for everyone.

Oh, and my husband, Ray, this blog’s computer master, had a wonderful idea if anyone would like to spread the word, for a new business in town, one that could be of benefit year-round. Since we are situated so close to the Mickelson Trail, wouldn’t it be great to have one of downtown’s empty buildings transformed into a bicycle store where bikes can be purchased, repaired, and even rented? I think it’s a great thought! Anyone out there “in the know” about bikes, interested in opening a new business?

I hear Stephanie Anise, leader of the “placemat project” to depict and publicize adventure tours in and around Hot Springs, has created an opportunity for our young people to develop competencies ranging from computer graphics to merchandising. She will unveil this when it’s up and running.

Do you want to help make Hot Springs a “destination city” where people come to see our attractions, purchase our services, food and products — but not settle here? Would you like to help plan signage, improve the business district, get involved in a “shop local” campaign, complete the Veterans Memorial, promote the arts community, and grow entrepreneurs?

Come to the Horizons community dinner Feb 21 at the American Legion (6 p.m., lasagne, good food, good people) and sign up for a team, or — if you can’t make it — leave a comment here with your contact information and someone will get in touch with you.
 

Goal 2: Provide opportunity and support for business and economic development and entrepreneurship.

Goal 2 - Objective 1: Promote “destination retail” and attractions. Implementation Step …………………………………………………………. Completion Date

I have been asked, “Why don’t we have more blogs on our site?” In thinking about this, I have come up with several reasons.

1. Signing up as a user and accessing the page to write a blog is difficult.
2. People are uncomfortable writing their thoughts for all to read.
3. People may think that they do not have anything useful to write about.

The answer to the first problem is not too difficult. On the right side of the main screen just below the search bar is a section called pages. In this section are two helpful sets of instructions; How to sign up as a user and How to write a blog. Clicking on either of these will provide you with all the information you need to sign up and to access the page to begin writing your own blog.

The first problem is relatively easy to resolve, but the second problem is a bit more difficult. We all are afraid of criticism and writing our thoughts on the internet for all to see and comment on is a bit daunting. But, this is really no different than a conversation. If you discuss something with a friend or acquaintence, you may receive some criticism in return and you use this to your advantage to change your thoughts or update your ideas. You may also receive encouragement. Some people will really like what you say. Your thoughts and ideas are wanted and criticism and encouragement are part of the process. This blog is a way to make the Horizons Project work and even criticism of an idea can be important to the efforts of this blog.

Third, yes you do have something important to say. Everyone does. The Horizons Project is about community and every one of you are part of this community and everything you have to say is of value. We have several questions to help you get started. You don’t have to write pages. In fact, a good blog note is only a paragraph or two. A sentence or two on one of the topics below would be a good start. Remember, the process is to create a dialog. Your comments may get more people involved and therefore a more successful result for the Horizons Project. Remember, your comment does not have to be positive. The process is to create change and if change is not happening, then everyone needs to know this. Many of the questions below are about changes. If you don’t see any change, then this is an opportunity to let everyone know.

If you are really unsure about what you are writing, type it out first on your word processor and let your family and friends read it first. Take their advice, criticism and encourgagement to refine your comment. Then you can cut and paste it to the blog site or re-type it in, if necessary.

Here are some questions from Cheryl Jacobs that really need to be answered.

Category 6: Building skills and mobilizing around leadership
1. What changes are you seeing in the way community leadership is exercised or carried out? How is it different?
2. How has your community changed after LeadershipPlenty® training?
3. In what ways have leadership skills been improved/enhanced? What is different?
4. What changes are you seeing in the way leadership is carried out? How decisions get made in your community?
5. What difference does the involvement of low income people make in community leadership?

Category 10: Building skills and mobilizing around community
1. How has your community changed since joining Horizons?
2. Is your community more hopeful about the future? How do you know?
3. What evidence do you have that community members see poverty as a community issue?
4. Are more people involved in creating ideas, plans and taking actions on behalf of the community? What difference does this make?
5. What new partnerships have been created (within your community, or between your community and others)?

Horizons takes an “asset-based” approach to alleviating poverty and creating a thriving community. Community development programs of the past started with needs and deficits. Horizons is different because it recognizes that a community’s strengths (assets) provide the best foundation upon which to grow a thriving community that meets the needs of the whole community.

Here is the beginning of a “community asset and leadership map.” Please comment. Which individuals, groups, institutions, and regional partners should be added to this list? Please click on the link below to view the map.

Community Assets Leadership Map

Here is some interesting information from the 2000 Census for Hot Springs. Even though this is almost eight years old, it reveals some startling facts about poverty, housing and income. Let us know what you think.

Hot Springs 2000 Census Data

Here is a draft introduction to the strategic plan. It is an overview of Hot Springs area attractions. What is missing? What is your favorite?

Introduction to the Draft Strategic Plan