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City Council plans town hall meeting to review final strategic plan

By David W. Shelton | July 28, 2007 |

Ward 2 City Councilwoman Deanna McLaughlin has released the final version of the Strategic Plan which was discussed at the summit during the weekend of June 10. Immediately after the summit, officials released a 21-point strategy. The document Councilwoman McLaughlin released is a much more detailed version of the initial report.

Areas of major focus were identified as Economic development and job creation, Infrastructure planning and development, Operations and communications, Public safety, Recreation and parks, and Standards and beautification. Each of the 21 points of the strategy touches at least one of these areas.

Opportunities and threats were also discussed. Opportunities for development include planning for more green space, building a better relationship with Fort Campbell, promoting tourism, and constructing a possible juvenile detention center. Also on the list of opportunities is the now-defunct events center planning.

City of Clarksville Strategic Plan - Final - Includes goals and Objectives listed by strategic initiatives

McLaughlin said that this document would be discussed at a town hall meeting on Tuesday, July 31st from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Park Lane church of the Nazarene. Ward 3 City Councilman James Lewis will also be available to discuss the Strategic Plan. It is not yet known if other members will be present. McLaughlin encourages anyone interested to attend.

For those who are unable to read the PDF file, a free copy of the Adobe reader can be obtained at www.adobe.com. Councilwoman McLaughlin also said that there would be printed copies of the document available at the town hall meeting.

Twenty Threats to the city’s strategic plan were listed as well. They include: lawsuits from city employees, the possible failure of Wolf Creek Dam, gang activity, a strained infrastructure, a poor reputation of the city in general, and an apparent lack of qualified candidates for some council wards. These items and a lack of well-paying jobs in the area increased stress on the city’s infrastructure and its leadership. A “north and south” division is also somewhat apparent, as indicated in the ‘threat’ column.

Internal strengths and weaknesses were discussed as well.

Details of the 21-point strategic plan are listed one item per page. Some of the more nebulous goals are better described in the document, which outlines specific bullet points to help accomplish each goal. Goal four, the Capital Projects Revenue Districts is listed succinctly enough with a single notation: “Pass final council vote: complete.” Other items are discussed in greater detail.

Projects number eight and fifteen, which calls for the city to optimize efficiency of current roadways and intersections, identifies four major intersections which will be impacted. Two are on Madison Street; Madison at Richview Road and Madison at Martin Luther King Blvd (Highway 76 Connector). The other intersections are at Highways 41 and 13 (near the Fairgrounds) and the intersection of Wilma Rudolph Blvd. and Dunbar Cave. A timing phase plan for 19 intersections will be implemented by the end of next year.

A committee to review the Charter will also be established. Red light cameras will be studied. Commuter rail service and community recreation needs will also be addressed. Blighted buildings and crime watch enhancements round out the list.

About David W. Shelton

Posts by David W. Shelton are copyright (c)2006, 2007, 2008 by the author. All rights reserved. David W. Shelton is a writer, speaker and activist in Clarksville, and serves on the Clarksville Human Relations Commission. His passions include film and complete equality for all people, and he has worked in various capacities to work toward this goal. He is currently an illustrator, graphic designer, trainer, and is the owner of Imagine Media Solutions. He is an Adobe® Certified Instructor in Photoshop®.

Web Site: http://www.skippingtothepiccolo.com/

Email: dwshelton@charter.net

Sections: Politics
Topics: City Council, Clarksville TN, Deanna McLaughlin, James Lewis, Tennessee, Wolf Creek Dam

2 Responses to “City Council plans town hall meeting to review final strategic plan”

1. Mike Says:
   July 30th, 2007 at 7:00 pm

   The document is a start given the fact that several years ago the city council had conducted such meets with MTAS and much of the same thing was reported in the LC but there was not a plan (either good or bad) published about the final end goals or results. One major plus is that there are end-dates to reach some of the stated goals, and with this we as a community can hold the city leaders accountable, and to measure thier worth and progress. However, there are some goals that I feel will not be met due to the fact that it will rock the boat of some hidden power-brokers, read developers and builders. Sidewalks are mentioned but this has been an on-going and often losing battle and still is. We have an on-going struggle with over-development in some areas that place a burden on the school system and traffic problems, and when the problem is addressed by John and Jane Public it is the developers that win out. This is the sad state of affairs in Clarksville. (Just look at the desire for underground utilities, or that a certain developer wants to build apartments in the historical section). I highly encourge people to read it and form your own thoughts about it. After all– it is YOUR city. Mike

2. David W. Shelton Says:
   July 30th, 2007 at 8:33 pm

   Mike, you’re absolutely right. We as citizens MUST get involved in order to improve the infrastructure of the entire city. Sadly, the Northeast High School district is only now seeing signs of impending relief with the ubiquitous road construction in the area and the construction of West Creek Middle and High schools. Let’s stay on it, my friends. I really don’t think anything will be done unless we all get involved somehow. Mike, you’re right. It is OUR city. Let’s keep it that way.

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