Residents share creative hopes at town forum Sept. 19

Pressing issues in La Conner, much like a jigsaw puzzle, rarely lack for complexity.

They also require patience, which along with creative problem-solving skills, was much in evidence during the latest in a series of public forum events last Monday at Maple Hall.

About three dozen attendees used the 90-minute session to brainstorm many key community pieces, from how best to preserve La Conner's envied quality of life to developing strategies for fostering improved communication between residents and Town leaders.

Town council members MaryLee Chamberlain and Rick Dole, communications committee members, coordinated a jigsaw format with participants divided into five groups, each with a primary spokesperson and scribe. At night's end, ideas and points of concern generated at each table were shared with the whole group.

Facilitator Gail Bruce laid down the ground rules, which were readily accepted, stressing use of positive language and showing respect for differing opinions.

It proved a winning formula.

Longtime La Conner resident Bob Raymond was still singing its praises at the following night's town planning commission meeting.

"Last night, here in Maple Hall, the communications committee held the third of its community outreach events," Raymond said during the public comments segment of the commission agenda.

"The 30 or so townspeople who attended were divided and sat at separate tables with five or six at each," he continued, "I believe there were valuable takeaways.

"The first takeaway," Raymond noted, "is how that format led to open, enthusiastic, intelligent exchanges about what the attendees liked, preferred, loved about the community and their concerns for the future. It was not constrained by three minutes or a process that stifles open and creative discussion. Each participant was heard by the others. There were follow-up questions and attempts to capture community preferences on paper. There was enthusiasm. Laughter. Appreciation. Good ideas. It was fun and productive. And a model for public input.

"Such a process, repeated over a few weeks, months, or even a year should be the foundation of important policy, the (Town) Comprehensive Plan and/or code reviews," Raymond said. "I hope the council and commission would find them useful."

Bruce said at the outset of the forum that its primary goal was to generate new and creative ideas that could be forwarded to Town officials.

Gretchen McCauley, spokesperson for one of the five tables, noted that Town Administrator Scott Thomas was a member of her group and took "copious notes."

The overarching theme, Bruce said near the close of the forum, was "What is La Conner and what can it be?"

"The Town and its people," added former Skagit Leadership Director Kate Bennett, another of the main spokespersons, "need to determine what they want."

Flow sheets on easels around the room provided plenty of insight. Among priorities listed were: What to do with the Moore-Clark property? Clean energy. Green space. Affordable housing for families. Preserving economic and cultural diversity. Farmland preservation. Transparency in government. Communication. Public safety. Valuing the local agricultural community. Meeting the needs of citizens of all age groups. Creating balance between what the public expects of the planning commission and the town planning staff. Ensuring peoples' voices are heard and respected. Increasing children's play areas. Establishing more safe cycling and pedestrian-friendly spaces. Maintaining respect for La Conner's historical context and expanding community engagement, especially with young families.

Open dialogue was encouraged by allowing participants to comment, list concerns and areas of growth and cite reasons that make La Conner such a desirable community in which to live.

Bruce invited attendees to add their thoughts to flow sheets developed at other tables prior to adjournment.

"This is all about sharing," Bruce said. "It's about tapping creative juices. Everything that is discussed will be recorded and forwarded to Town officials.

"This," she stressed, "isn't over. It's a process."