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To introduce us as just a nine (9) member
volunteer comprehensive plan steering committee is a gross
understatement. Over the past
fourteen (14) months this group has evolved into a committed, determined,
visionary, respected and opinionated force in Lee County, Iowa.
Throughout this past year this cohesive
group of dedicated citizens have endured personal and family crises, loss of
initial members, very strong differences of opinions, input from very
concerned and frustrated citizens, and last but certainly not least,
approximately 150-200 hours, per member, of our time away from home.
It was clear from the beginning this
project would be very time consuming and thought provoking, but very
necessary for Lee County to become and STAY proactive, progressive and viable
for its future generations. These
clear indications are what drove this committee to develop and implement this
outstanding document, which reflects the wishes of Lee County citizens.
The committee would like to emphasize that
in order for Lee County to progress, and show that its leaders are beginning
to “think outside the box,” several issues need to be seriously considered
and implemented. The committee and
Lee County citizens have discussed these issues, repeatedly.
The committee strongly feels there needs to
be an evaluation/feasibility study done to consolidate countywide services to
eliminate duplication of services.
The committee also believes converting to a five (5) member County
Board of Supervisors would enhance representation. These officials would be districted according to Iowa Code.
Zoning should not be allowed in Lee County,
as the committee and residents of Lee County feel all landowners are best
equipped to buy, sell or develop their property. The committee feels an aggressive economic plan can and must be
developed without the use of zoning.
The current and future Board of Supervisors
must adopt an open and educative approach to informing Lee County residents
of their proceeding, policies, and plans in a timely manner. To assist the Board of Supervisors in
adhering to, and utilizing this comprehensive plan, the committee feels an
immediate selection of an overview group is needed. This group would consist of Lee County volunteers and members
of this steering committee and would meet at least quarterly throughout the
year to report back to the citizens of Lee County.
The Board of Supervisors entrusted this
committee with the development of this plan, which we sincerely thank them
for. Supervisor Matt Mohrfeld has offered
us much needed support and advice and attended many town and committee
meetings with us. This project could
not have been completed without the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning
Commission’s assistance and expertise.
We thank them also for the many long hours they have spent developing
this plan with us. In conclusion, we
thank the residents of Lee County; without their input this plan couldn’t
have been formulated.
NOTE: The historical and
statistical information contained in Chapter 2 was supplied to the Steering
Committee for the first time by SEIRPC at their February 25, 2002
meeting. Although the information has
benefit, it was not a contributing or influencing factor in the preparation,
or conclusions drawn by the Subcommittee Reports contained in Chapter 1.
For this reason the Steering
Committee accepts for inclusion this information based on SEIRPC’s experience
and professional research that this information is correct and does not
conflict with the conclusions of the reports in Chapter 1. Therefore, the Steering Committee accepts
inclusion without review or approval.
Sincerely,
The Lee County Comprehensive Plan Steering
Committee,
Patrick
Breen
Jane Riter
Bob Huffman
Duane Sherwood
Kristin Whitaker
Larry Daggs
Greg Dyer
Steve Newberry
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