One thing that's frequently forgotten about economic change is that is happens S-L-O-W-L-Y.

Unlike the climate of a goldrush where "growth" occurs overnight, sustainable "development" is a long term investment. Perhaps we are remiss to wonder what we should do to prepare our environment for our youth. Instead start asking what we should do to prepare our youth for our environment. Technical expertise, IQs of 180, and entrepreneurial prowess cost much more to develop in our children than does a sense of civic responsibility and participation.

In the near future (ten years) the county's economic picture will be incrementally improved AT BEST, lets put our efforts into massing an army of 20somethings that know how to get involved - not on the latest forum or through some stupid newspaper opinion page - but through their local chamber, civic group, church, library, or whatever.

This occurs at home certainly. but what about cornering a bright education student at SLU or SUCP into assembling the curriculum for a half-year highschool course? An overview of how the county and their local municipality works and where they can interface with it. Heck, I would think that area school boards could easily be persuaded that such a course would be just as vital to life as the half-year health course. (they could be run back-to-back as a full year requirement)

Hello, All -- Thanks for your thoughts and opinions on the future of our county. Very shortly this site will be dismantled and your postings will be compiled into another format to help clarify next steps. Stay tuned for more information. Thanks again, Pat