Wagner, SD

The Horizons Beautification plans are moving ahead. An application for a grant from the South Dakota Community Foundation was filled out, signed, and mailed March 15th. We have applied for funds to purchase concrete blocks to put around the two organization signs on the east and west ends of Wagner. One is by the Armory, and the other one is on the west side of the Gus Stop. We are going to plant perennials and some annuals the first year to get it started. The City workers will assist us in watering and we will take care of the wedding and maintenance. We also plan on applying for a portion of the funds for this project to our Wagner Community Foundation. Deadline for that application is May 1st.

On March 11, 2008 the Wagner Strategic Visioning Committee will meet to discuss our continued efforts and chart progress toward our established goals.  The meeting will be at noon at Two Spurs.

The group met in February with Dave Olson.  The meeting was attended by Linda Soukup, Barb Johannsen, Matt Cerny, Patty Frei, and Dawn Bures.  The major topics covered was Community Beautification committee, and another round of Study Circles.  The community beautification committee decided to meet on Feb 27 @ 7pm at the home of Linda Soukup.  The meeting was set to discuss with the entire committee the ideas of those involved and make a plan for how it will all come together.  Dawn and Linda will continue to lead the committee until it is established.

Patty informed us that the dates for facilitator training for the Study Circle facilitators will need to be moved and the new date for that is April 4 and 5 at the Wagner Fire Hall.  Patty will try to step in while Rita Kocer deals with a family emergency. 

 Dave Olson had some informational items he shared with the group.  There are a couple of training classes and events being held in the near future that might be of interest to our community members.  Matt has expressed interest in going to on that will be held in May in the Mlps area.  I will try to get a list of these and post them on here as there might be others interested in attending. 

 Dawn

We have recently been made aware of a tremendous resource that is FREE to all communities. South Dakota Rural Enterprise. It is a non-profit organization based in Sioux Falls. Beth Davis is the President. Wagner Area Growth (our economic development organization) hosted Beth and her associate about three months ago and the Wagner Rotary Club recently had Beth for a program at their weekly meeting. SDRE has several programs available to South Dakota communitites, one of which is Leadership Plenty. Heard that phrase before? Of course! They have other training opportunities and informational sources such as Growing Opportunities and Resources from Within; Trade Secrets for Development Organizations; and Creating a Value Added Community. Every community in South Dakota and especially those of us who have gone through the Horizons Program should contact the SDRE for a visit to your community. You will be impressed with their knowledge and caring attitude. They can give your community information and direction. All you have to do is call! Here’s hoping Wagner takes advantage of their resources soon! Check out www.sdrei.org

On Tuesday, December 4th, 2007, Wagner voters approved the creation of a city-owned and operated municipal electric system with a vote of 308 to 251. This was a complete reversal of the same issue that was voted on in November of 2002. This approval will allow the City Council to pursue information and applications for power. It will be a lengthy process and one which all residents will watch closely. If at any time the City Council feels that it would not be feasible for Wagner to operate their own utility, the ordinance that allowed them to do this can simply be rescinded. There were strong feelings on both sides of the issue as to the feasibility of this utility; but there are also high hopes that everyone will accept the decision and continue to move forward with the best interests of all residents foremost in their minds.

Contact Dawn Bures @ 491-1370.  I will be glad to help you use this site!

The more involved we all are now the better our community will be each day forward!!

Blog training took place in Tyndall on Thursday night at 7:00.

Blog training in Tyndall tonight. Very exciting!!!!!