Alternatives: Proposals For Local Governments Struggling With Limited Resources
Alternatives: Proposals For Local Governments Struggling With Limited Resources
In the fall of 1994, the Harry Singer Foundation invited a limited number, of mostly small-town schools, to take part in a pilot program. Students were required to find ways to stretch the resources of local government and make services more responsive to the desires of citizens. The Foundation hopes to gradually add larger communities, and offer categories for innovative state and national projects.
Volunteers at the Foundation narrowed the entries to 22. They were then edited and sent to the National Center for Financial Education in San Francisco, California, where they were reduced to five. These five were then forwarded to a consultant and former-public official in Minnesota who has been in the forefront of the reinventing government movement; the innovative mayors of Indianapolis and Houston, 12 governors, two former-governors and two members of the United States Congress. Many had the help of staff, but all read the proposals and expressed an interest in what these young people had to say.
The final entries are reproduced on the following pages, just as they were seen by the reviewers at the National Center for Financial Education in San Francisco. Across from each paper we reveal the school and participants, information that was kept from judges.
This project was a logical extension of our continuing Responsibility and White Hat programs. Over the years, through student submissions and other sources, we have collected stories of good-things going on around the country, in both the public and private sectors. These inspirational examples have been accessible to anyone with a computer and a modem since the fall of 1993.
Fifth PlaceTeacher
Students
Nikki Bowen
Deanna Blucker
Angie Lundy
Julia Murray
Melissa York
Tabitha Stanfast
S.N. Ball
Melissa Burrow
Derek Dickemann
Jeff Brooks
Carolyn Asher
Jonathan Thomas
Youth/Civic Center
The future of this nation, and the local communities on which it is based, lies with our youth. This is why it is inevitable that our attention be shifted to today's young people. If you were to ask any teenager about the organized activities, "things to do", in the Salem area, you would discover that the possibilities are limited at best.
"Sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll"; they were the three most important entities in the lives of teens thirty years ago and unfortunately, at least the first two, are still a major part of life for many teens today.
The Activity
Sixty-two percent of Salem's adults said that they were in favor of a youth center. Most of them would favor a bond issue or tax levy to raise money for the youth/civic center. Over sixty percent of the teens and young people who answered the Community Betterment Survey said that recreation is inadequate in and around Salem. The young people of Dent County do not really have a place set aside for recreation. They spend their time cruising, drinking, going to surrounding towns, and in the summer, going to the river. When youth go to surrounding towns the money they spend goes to support those towns and not their own.
In a recent survey of Salem High School, results showed that a large portion of today's students take part in alcohol abuse and promiscuous sexual activity. More alarmingly, these activities are progressively occurring in younger age groups. We believe there would be a decrease in violence, teen pregnancies, drinking and accidents if there were some kind of supervised recreation for teens in our area. Many teens say that if our chosen alternative were a reality, they would go to the center instead of going out and getting drunk. Hopefully, through the formation of a youth/civic center, we can present alternate activities to local youth.
The Project
This brings us to our class proposal: we propose a committee to spearhead the construction of a community youth/civic center.
Aside from giving our local teenagers a substitute for some of their less desirable social activities, the civic center could have many other benefits for the entire community. There is a civic center in [a nearby town] and it is used by people of all ages. They bring in top music artists for concerts and have all sorts of functions ranging from Christian to sports.
One of the first steps would be to establish a planning committee which should represent both adults and teenager from the Salem area. The input of local youth would be essential to the success of the civic enter. Teenage representatives could come from high school organizations like STUCO, a division of the National Honor Society. This committee could consist of representatives from local service clubs like the Rotary, Elks, Moose and Lions clubs. The local Chamber of Commerce has already stated that they would be glad to assist in the project. The mayor's office has also expressed its willingness to help. This could be an important ally in preventing unwelcome litigation. The local real estate agents might help with funding as well as finding a location for the center. Banks could contribute valuable professional guidance by having an official attend planning committee meetings.
Although contributions from local businesses and individuals will be a very important part of the funding, there are still other potential sources of revenue. Fund raising programs through city and high school organizations will be a crucial part of funding for the center. Programs may range from taking donations at the intersections in town, to bake sales.
Incentives and Disincentives
Activities at our center would bring back the money we now take to other towns. Many of the existing programs for community service could be merged in the formation of the civic center. For example, local youth could volunteer a predetermined number of hours helping Salem's handicapped and elderly citizens, or they might participate in a literacy program. As an incentive, youth could be rewarded with a certain number of free hours at the center's sports and recreational facilities.
If there were something for teens to do to keep their minds off what hurts them mentally and physically, then many negative acts might disappear or at least decrease. The youth center could have tutors to help those who need help in school and a computer library and regular library for further reference. Also, support groups could be set up for people who need them to help them gain self-esteem in order to overcome their problems.
However, construction of a civic center would be a very costly endeavor. This is most likely the first thing that comes to mind as a major complication.
Funding isn't, however, the only complication. Other problems include getting permits, finding the proper location and locating dedicated people to oversee the project.
Conclusion
It is important to remember in approaching this project that raising funds is not going to be easy. It is definitely not going to be an overnight project. However, it is also important to remember than no matter how difficult the process may be, it isn't impossible. Funding for the program may take several years, but with a lot of work, dedication and sacrifice, we can bring a youth/civic center to Salem.
Now is the time to act! It is not enough to simply acknowledge a problem. In the past, the citizens of Salem have overcome problems such as the need for improved facilities for our handicapped citizens, through the Dent County Developmental Disability Center, and in the same way, we can overcome this. Caring citizens must take this step in preparation for tomorrow. It may be trite to say this, but it is oh so true--our youth are our future. Back