Contacts: Mitch Deisch
231-398-2801
or
Cyndy Fuller
231-723-0070
Issued by the Alliance for Economic Success as a
Service to the City of Manistee
For Immediate Release
“…the community of choice on the northwest Michigan coastline…”
CITY OF MANISTEE TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUM ON STRATEGIC PLAN
Manistee, Michigan – “Manistee will be the community of choice on the northwest Michigan coastline with strong, diversified economy, providing opportunities for all…”
Those words frame the vision for the City of Manistee’s current strategic plan.
All interests are invited to join in a community forum to provide input on the vision and other elements of the City’s Strategic Plan as Manistee’s City Council kicks off the process to complete the 2009 Strategy update.
The Community Forum is scheduled for Tuesday, February 10, 2009 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Hardy Hall on the Third Floor of the Ramsdell Theatre, 101 Maple Street, Manistee. It will include a brief review of the current Strategic Plan by Manistee Mayor Cyndy Fuller, to be followed by breakout sessions to obtain feedback on the City’s vision and priorities. The City’s 2008 Strategic Plan Update can be obtained on line at www.ci.manistee.mi.us.
“We want the ideas, aspirations and participation of all interests as we continue to refine the strategic direction for the City of Manistee,” said City Mayor Cyndy Fuller. “Our current strategy establishes one mission for City Council – that being to position the City as the community of choice and destination for businesses, industry, tourists and families. We are seeking input on that as well as opinions on what the City can and should be doing to attain our mission. If we can all unify around a vision and strategy for the future, we can work as a community to determine priorities, roles and responsibilities for achieving our aspirations.”
Input received at the Community Forum will be used by Manistee’s City Council and City Government leaders to help update their current strategic plan. It will also be used to launch a special project to be completed in 2009 that will examine all City services.
“We have created a team that includes a representative group of staff and City Council as well as citizen and business interests, who are working together to select a firm to help us review and assess all City services,” said City Manager Mitch Deisch. “We want to determine if there are ways to get the job done more efficiently, including possible partnerships with other municipal governments or outsourcing. It is also important for us to understand what services are of highest priority and of most value to City stakeholders and how our services relate to attaining our strategic vision. The February 10 Community Forum will give us important feedback on community goals and priorities that will be considered as the study of City services begins later this year.”
“We’ll also be using the February 10 Forum to announce and receive advice on new ways that we can keep all stakeholders involved and informed,” said Mayor Fuller. “And that will include encouraging participants, including our youth, to consider participating on the several boards and committees of the City. We hope everyone will mark their calendars and join us on February 10.”