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Help build the future Aug. 23. Now's the time to speak up!
It's been my observation that Wood Countians take for granted the easy access they have to local government. We can walk into a County Commission meeting, for example, and expect to be welcomed and treated with respect by our commissioners whether we're on the agenda or not, every Monday and Thursday morning. The Commission is showing its leadership in service to the community by the decision to hold at least one public forum to hear what citizens have suffered because of the pandemic, and what ideas people have to address the needs of those disproportionately affected by the COVID emergency of the past 18 months.
Most people know that the federal government has stepped up in a big way to provide assistance to citizens. The American Rescue Plan approved by Congress is pouring millions into our county and is a once in a generation opportunity for our communities to reimagine themselves. The $16,000,000 going to the County Commission and the $22,000,000 going to the City of Parkersburg, for example, can be used for a wide variety of purposes, including public health, support for impacted households and small businesses, services to underserved adversely affected groups and low-income workers, and water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure.
Did you know that the U.S. Treasury Department requires projects to be "designed with equity in mind?" Treasury Guidance asks: Who are the historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely affected groups that will be served? How are those residents and businesses being made aware of the funding opportunities? Are there differences in levels of access to benefits and service across groups in our community? Do we intend "to focus on closing gaps and reaching universal levels of service?" Treasury asks of community plans how those most affected economically from the pandemic will be helped, especially in providing healthy childhood environments and strong neighborhoods. How can we change the way our systems worked, or didn't work, for us so we can become a more resilient community in future pandemics?
The Treasury Guidance gives us a place to start on this endeavor, inviting us to consider how we will incorporate "input that captures diverse feedback from constituents, community-based organizations, and the communities themselves." In response to this opportunity our County Commission is welcoming all voices to a community forum scheduled at the Judge Black Annex Aug. 23 at 5:30 pm.
We cannot afford a business-as-usual mindset, with this opportunity to hit new benchmarks so our community can thrive. The burden of decision making cannot be placed only on county commissioners or city council members. Furthermore, it's impossible for them to know all the needs of the diverse groups in the Mid-Ohio Valley. This special funding is the community's money, and the Commission recognizes that by reaching out to the community for input.
At the community forum, we'll learn about what the funding can be used for and have time to to share our ideas with our fellow citizens, our circumstances, and our experiences of the past year. What have we learned? What should we do going forward, in a world that may have the threat of COVID for a long time?
What's Next facilitators are working with the County Commission to collaborate with the community, especially those most impacted by the past eighteen months. We invite all citizens to attend the Aug. 23 forum and hopefully to continue the conversation in more forums aimed at building a Mid-Ohio Valley that is more resilient, thriving, and always looking forward to what's next.
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Jean Ambrose lives in Walker and is co chair of What's Next MOV.