Jan 9, 2005

INFORMATION RELEASE          

Media Contact: Heather O'Connell
                        (239) 461-2924 or hoconnell@leegov.com

Officials and Residents to Discuss Growth Management at South County Regional Library

FORT MYERS, Fla., (Jan. 9, 2005) When it comes to managing growth, Lee County Commissioner Bob Janes says officials are still looking for answers and hoping this is where some will emerge at public forums this month at the South County Regional Library. 

The National Issues Forum "A Nice Place to Live: Creating Communities, Fighting Sprawl" is a series of three open discussion meetings for residents, county officials, and planners to share ideas, concerns and suggestions about growth and development. 

Janes and Lee County Commission Chairwoman Tammy Hall are scheduled to attend, along with Neal Noetlich from the Estero Planning and Design committees. Organizers are encouraging members of civic organizations and other residents to attend.

The free series is presented by Lee County Library System and the American Democracy Project at Florida Gulf Coast University and moderated by National Issues Facilitator, Margaret Banyan, Ph.D., Florida Gulf Coast University. Banyan's research interests are Public Participation, Citizen Engagement, and Civic Infrastructure Development.  She says the forums won't be panel presentations, but truly open discussions. 

"Everyone is recognized as an expert on his or her community and ideas flow freely. You wouldn't normally get that in a formal committee structure where you don't really get a chance to discuss values. This is really about values, determining what's truly important to us and how do we get there." Banyan said.

Commissioner Janes agrees.

"I always ask people ´Why did you choose to live in Lee County?' When we're managing growth, we want to do it in a way that preserves, as much as possible, the reasons that we moved to this area." Janes said.  

Janes says the forums present an opportunity for the public to become more acquainted with the dynamics of what the community is dealing with in managing growth, to immerse themselves into the subject and come up with some good ideas.

"The planning work that's already done is really a starting point." Janes said.  "Planning experts listen very much to public opinion."

The first program includes a ten minute video presentation that reviews the problems underlying the issue, and briefly examines three or four public policy alternatives. Each program also includes:          
       
       A short booklet for participants, including information for further reading
           
       Open discussion

Librarian Andrea Carter says the booklets are available before each forum.

"Reading the booklet before the program encourages people to think and discuss freely about the options they would like to see. There are questionnaires for before and after the forums, to indicate how participants' ideas broaden as a result of participating." Carter said.

Plenty of seats are available, and residents are encouraged to come and share their ideas.

The forums are being held on Tuesdays, January 17, 24, and 31 from 6:30 8:30 p.m. at the South County Regional Library, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway in Estero. Registration is requested, but not required, by January 14. Please call the library to register or for more information at (239) 390-3200.

A sign language interpreter is available with 48-hour notice. Call the Deaf Service Center at (239) 461-0334 (voice) or (239) 461-0438 (TTY). Assistive listening devices are available upon request.

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