Public input wanted at Dec. 18 meeting
The information under the caption of this photo on the front page of this week's Humboldt Independent is incorrect. The little girl taking part in the Shop with and Elf event last Saturday in downtown Humboldt is in fact Caitlin Vinsand, not Collin Smith, as stated. The Humboldt Independent apologizes for the factual error and will reprint the photo with the correct information in the Dec. 19 Independent. Humboldt Independent photo.
By KENT THOMPSON
Change happening to Humboldt’s downtown and some of its longstanding institutions may have some citizens worried.
Rather than worry about what may or may not come about, why not provide a positive outlook on things you would like to see the city continue, change or add new.
That’s the focus of a community betterment meeting planned for Wednesday, Dec. 18 at the Humboldt Community Center (Senior Citizens Building) at 607 1st Avenue South. Hours of the meeting are 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
According to Humboldt City Administrator Travis Goedken and Humboldt County Economic Development Director Alissa O’Connor, the meeting will be a come and go, open house format. There will be brief presentations at 4 p.m. and again at 5:30 p.m.
“Most of the rest of the time will be spent listening to people’s ideas and answering any questions. We will have large post-it notes that people can put on bulletin boards that will encompass different projects and events members of the community are interested in pursuing,” Goedken said.
“They could be things the Chamber of Commerce has undertaken in the past, but wouldn’t have to be.”
Goedken said discussions can run the gamut from thoughts about the Three Rivers Trail, to Wildcat Wonderland, Polka Fest, the Des Moines River and Reasoner Dam, to new ideas like a festival in the fall.
“We are looking at hosting this meeting to generate new ideas and potential volunteers. We were very pleased with the community outpouring and how a group like the Humota Movie Group was able to take the ball and run with the idea of taking on the theater when we had those meetings in 2018,” Goedken said.
“We will be asking for names and emails of people who are willing to become involved. Maybe someone thinks that Hot Dog Days were a great thing for the town and should be revived. We’d like to hear their ideas.
“Maybe it’s an idea for a young professionals organization, or a way to showcase public art in our downtown,” Goedken said.
He said regional tourism is also part of the mix. The city has had a few efforts, but it hasn’t been coordinated or focused.
“We want to see people with specific passions about things they see as community betterment projects and activities for our community,” the city administrator said.
“Come to the meeting with what you care about for our community, focusing on the positive and not pointing fingers or assessing blame for things that didn’t work in the past.
“Ideally, we will have a group or groups that will want to focus on three or four key things that we can support and grow moving forward,” Goedken said.
Again, the meeting will be Wednesday, Dec. 18, 4-7 p.m. (come and go) at the Humboldt Community Center, 607 1st Ave. S.
