WHAT WAS SAID AT THE INTERVIEWS
The seven (7)-member Resource Team spent two days interviewing the local residents to hear what they had to say. Those being interviewed were directed to answer four questions:
- What are the major problems/challenges in the community?
- What are the major strengths/assets of the community?
- What projects would you like to see implemented in the short term (12 months or less)?
- What projects would you like to see implemented in the long term (the next two or three years)?
We have listed below, without comment, what we heard from those who volunteered to be interviewed.
CIVIC CLUBS
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY?
- Don't offer enough industry and jobs to support the population
- People leave for jobs and shopping
- Economy needs to be in better shape to retain young people
- Employment opportunities need to be at all levels
- Peanut industry is declining
- Need for more watermelon growers
- Festival needs to expand
- Need to guard against growth bringing problems with it
- Need to work together to bring about improvements
- Need for a long range plan so all groups can work toward the same goals for the future
- Lack of coordinated effort to achieve goals
- Needs to be idea of working together
- Challenge of people working together to accomplish something - De Leon not just a place to come to die
- De Leon does not have to be a dying town - people can come together to work together for community
- Cost prohibits use of city hall
- Lots of poverty in area
- City officials seem to be bearing a grudge and were elected to satisfy their own grudges
- Hard for new people in community to become a part of the various cliques
- Lack of involvement of Hispanic population in community projects
- Lack of Catholic Church priest involvement in community activities
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR STRENGTHS/ASSETS OF THE COMMUNITY?
- Ministerial Alliance runs food pantry as a joint project
- Low crime rate
- Work together well on projects such as the park, street signs
- Small town attitude, very caring citizens
- Good volunteer fire department
- Good hospital
- Good water supply
- Proctor Lake gives community good recreational opportunities
- Good civic clubs for different interests
- Great people
- Best city officials they have had in a long time
- New Family Life Center at First Baptist Church for use for functions other than those sponsored by church
- Ministerial Alliance
- Hispanic Mission sponsored by First Baptist Church
WHAT PROJECTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SHORT TERM (12 MONTHS OR LESS)?
- Festival needs to remain strong, it is a big draw to the community
- Assist farmers in making transition to new crops so that they can continue to farm
- Recruit new industry
- Wineries
- Better marketing for production
- Governmental entities reach mutual goals to address pulling in industry
- Computer industry
- Beautification of area - clean up - make entrances to town more attractive
- Pretty entrance to city park
- Need cultural diversity training in area
WHAT PROJECTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IMPLEMENTED IN THE LONG TERM (THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS)?
- Completion of festival grounds
- Amphitheater, RV Park and Farmers Market included in festival grounds
- Youth recreational center/activities
