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Vol. 44, No. 50
State of the ...
Communities Roann Clerk-Treasurer Bob Ferguson addresses the attendees of the annual State of the Communities breakfast Feb. 17. Photos by Phil Smith
Area leaders discuss triumphs, challenges of past 12 months during annual event By Joseph Slacian jslacian@thepaperofwabash.com Government officials from around Wabash County talked about their successes from the past year and their hopes for the coming year during the 5th annual State of the Communities breakfast Thursday, Feb. 17. About 200 people were on hand at the Honeywell Center’s Legacy Hall for the event, sponsored by Grow Wabash County. All in all, the various officials said, the communities struggled at times with problems caused by the global pandemic. But, they added, their communities continued trying to improve the quality of life for residents, in spite of those problems. Wabash County Commissioner president Barry Eppley, LaFontaine Town Board member John Krhin, Lagro Clerk-Treasurer Kristie Bone, North Manchester Town Board president Jim Smith, Roann Clerk-Treasurer Bob Ferguson and Wabash Mayor Scott Long addressed the audience during the nearly 2-hour long event. Grow Wabash County vice president Tennille
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From left are North Manchester Town Board President Jim Smith, Wabash County Commissioners President Barry Eppley and Wabash Mayor Scott Long. Zartman was the program emcee, and noted that the final Imagine One report should be issued in the near future. The program seeks to halt the declining population trend that has plagued the county in recent years. “While the pandemic slowed us down slightly, we were able to move forward, thanks to the passion and engagement of the people of Wabash County,” she said. “After several Focus on the Future workshops throughout 2020 and 2021, the Imagine One 85 steering committee was able to hold a growth summit on the Honeywell Plaza outside on a warm summer evening last July. There, residents from around the county heard inspiring stories from fellow residents and contributed dozens of catalytic mighty ideas, is what we called them.” Key issues that have emerged during the plan-
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ning process include: Economic growth and prosperity. Increasing quality of life. More growth in arts and cultural amenities Invest in and embrace diversity of all kinds Improving housing and infrastructure Excellent in education. Walking the talk, promoting the communities. “The comprehensive plan will include a series of technical documents that will illustrate the needs of the county, along with an action agenda to bring about change,” Zartman said. Wabash County “The year just passed was good,” Eppley said. “The kind of good like going through a meat grinder, standing up, shaking it off, ready and looking forward to moving ahead.” Continued on Page 4
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