About 40 persons gathered Thursday to give input on a strategic plan to guide Houston during the next few years. Additional opinions are sought before a May 9 deadline.
Steve Hutcheson, former longtime mayor of Houston, guided the discussion during the community planning meeting last Thursday at the Houston Storm Shelter. Hutcheson discussed the results of an earlier questionnaire, highlighted talks by a Houston planning and zoning panel and gathered input from those attending the one-hour meeting last Thursday evening.
Ranking high on the wish list were:
• Development of jobs — with more retail and manufacturing opportunities, including working with existing ones. This includes working on the community’s demographic profile — including gathering data on such things as shoppers who come to Houston. The data would be used in recruitment.
• Creation of a community center that could include recreation. Partnerships between the Houston Optimist Club, Texas County Memorial Hospital and Houston Storm Shelter facilities will be explored.
• Education, including construction of a new high school and/or gymnasium. The work schedule related to a newly passed bond issue was highlighted by Charlie Malam, high school principal. Roof repairs will receive top priority. College classes offered by Drury University will start this fall in Houston.
• Successful recruitment of assisted living housing. A Springfield firm is considering constructing one in Houston, and the city continues to make its case using various data.
• A new water well and storage, as well as recruitment of a natural gas provider. Both are viewed as important to manufacturing recruitment and improved fire protection. As the country moves to more natural gas consumption, it might be possible for the city to look at electric power generation, Hutcheson said.
A survey to allow residents the opportunity to express their opinions in included in today’s Messenger.