Planning for the future: Lind town hall creates dialogue, new ideas

After some self-examination, the Lind Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors wanted to establish a priority list.

Of themselves, they asked, how can they make Lind better? How can they bring new businesses, more residents and more visitors to the town?

While considering the possibilities amongst themselves, and searching for the right first step, the nonprofit group’s leadership agreed the best first step was to ask the town’s current residents what their priorities were.

To tackle the task, the chamber called a town hall meeting in mid-April and welcomed 30-plus people to the visioning session.

John Claypool, a former town council member and the visionary behind the Lind Community Garden project, served as moderator.

“Some people care and want change. Other people are opposed to change,” he said during his opening remarks. “The vast majority does not care either way. It’s our job to change that. We have to have something for you to get involved in.”

Claypool quickly posed a couple of questions. What would you like to see? How can we make the town better?

“An attractive, welcoming community, that’s what we want,” Claypool surmised. “This is just step one. Whatever you do, celebrate your success. Celebrate your harvest. Even if it’s just one bean, celebrate your harvest.”

Even before Claypool opened the meeting, attendees had started answering those questions by writing their ideas on a large piece of paper.

Throughout the discussion, those items were discussed.

Early in the discussion, Pastor Steve Schofstoll joined the dialogue and shared a project he had undertaken.

“For 19 years I have been a part of this community. We see people trying to do what they can, but I never saw a combined conversation so I invited people from those different areas,” Schofstoll explained. “Once a month we are getting together and just throwing ideas out there, to start a conversation.”

Anyone in Lind is welcome to attend those meetings, which are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

“I have no plans,” Schofstoll said. “I want to see what would happen.”

Claypool encouraged people to speak up and share their hopes and dreams.

Jerry Anderson was the first to brave the waters.

“I’ve dreamed about, thought about what would happen if we really utilized the John Wayne Trail, had a western theme and became horse friendly,” Anderson said.

Mayor Jamie Schmunk noted that there is some action in that area when a group of mounted riders will visit on May 30. The annual pilgrimage on the John Wayne Trail, she said will be hosted by Chris Olson for a barbecue, something Olson started doing on his own.

It was noted that when Esther Ware was in town and working to renovate the building she once owned, that includes the former Empire Theater, she had dreamed of making Lind the Cowboy Wedding Capital.

Schmunk praised the conversation and acknowledged that growth will take some doing.

“The lack of housing is ultimately at the forefront of everything,” she said. “There’s no where to rent, some are abandoned and there are only a few available for purchase.”

Claypool, citing the quality of the school system, said more available housing would make it possible to attract more families.

PJ Jacobson shared her efforts to stimulate the town’s economy.

“We have been working for nine years making a quilters’ retreat,” she said. “We will be bringing people to town every weekend.”

Another citizen said there’s an effort underway to establish a day care center with the assistance of Catholic Social services.

Another suggestion was to convert the defunct tennis courts into a skateboard park.

Carol Kelly raised a question about the town’s young adults.

“We have wonderful young people and they have a lot to offer,” she said. “I would like to know why they aren’t involved.”

While there was now solid response to the question, the group agreed the town needs to find things that appeal to younger generations and inspire them to step forward.

One of those younger members of the community who has taken on a leadership role is Josh Knodel. He has already served as the president of the Lind Lions Club and has long been a major volunteer for the club’s Combine Demolition Derby.

“The main reason I’m here is that I am pretty much vested here for the rest of my life,” he said. “I want to raise a family here. I do care about what goes on here and I work to help the town through the Lions Club. We’re always at capacity there, (derby). As long as we can keep having a place for people to come, the club can continue to help. I also realize there are other aspects of the town that need help too.”

Claypool encouraged everyone to help the chamber “get pointed in the right direction.”

The following is a list of the recommendations submitted by the citizens during the town hall meeting. The list is in no particular order.

1. Digital reader board to announce community events and advertise local businesses.

2. Incentives for businesses in order to encourage them to locate in Lind.

3. Clean up the entrance to town.

4. Street improvements.

5. Recruit other industry to the area including large firms such as Boeing and Microsoft.

6. Open a nice sports bar and restaurant.

7. Get the Adams County Museum complete and open.

8. A large clock in the center of town.

9. A new rodeo.

10. State funded and maintained bathrooms.

11. Updated freeway signs on U.S. 395.

12. Freeway businesses.

13. A farmers’ market.

14. An effort to encourage residents to clean up their properties.

15. Community potlucks with music or a street dance.

16. A café or restaurant.

17. A bank.

18. Demolition of old, unsafe and abandoned homes.