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.
YOUTH
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS/CHALLENGES IN THE COMMUNITY?
- Lack of jobs
- Difficult to find part-time jobs for students
- Youth center needed with movies, basketball court
- Needs to be more job opportunities
- Entertainment lacking for youth
- Lack of activities - movies, mall, jobs
- Lack of retail
- Lack of youth activities
- Lack of job opportunities
- Lack of job opps and activities
- More jobs for middle aged people and youth
- Most jobs are for senior citizens
- More retail
- Lack of an arcade or any other entertainment - movies
- Lack of jobs
- Lack of after-school activities
- Churches have stopped doing youth programs and activities
- Need for youth center out of a church environment
- Need for places to shop for clothes
- Need for a skating rink and bowling alley
- Increase in gang and drug activity
- Need input from more of a cross section of people in community
- Need for more security
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR STRENGTHS/ASSETS OF THE COMMUNITY?
- Small town atmosphere
- Good place to raise family
- Feeling of safety
- Lack of violence
- Kids can go places and feel safe
- Communication is easier with teachers and others
- One-on-one attention from teachers
- Festival brings community together
- Everyone knows everyone and is willing to help
- No traffic problems
- Quiet
- Festival
- A lot to offer - kids who move away will eventually come home
- Good athletic programs
- Good family environment
- Not a lot of class distinction, cohesive feeling
- Friendly
- Entire community celebrates together during Festival
WHAT PROJECTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IMPLEMENTED IN THE SHORT TERM (12 MONTHS OR LESS)?
- Implement safety program for kids on bikes. Need for bike trails or sidewalks.
- Adult supervision for community projects - kids are handicapped when they apply for scholarship and they have no community service project experience
- Build additional gym facilities
- Develop promotional events to get people into De Leon
- Sport leagues
- Build a movie theater
- Improve football field and track
- Develop community projects that can involve youth
- Build recreational center for youth
- Community clean-up day
- Install lighting at baseball field
- Improve drainage system and roads
- Expand baseball league system beyond Little League
- Build skating area at city park
WHAT PROJECTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IMPLEMENTED IN THE LONG TERM (THE NEXT TWO OR THREE YEARS)?
- Retain feel and size of the community as it is now
- Develop jobs without bringing in negative effects of growth
- More college-level concurrent classes in high school
- Sports programs for children
- Clean up of lake
- More electives in school - art, drama, computers, languages, leadership training, etc.
- Economic development to attract industry
- Build entertainment type businesses
- Develop mentoring/internship program for high school students
- Develop indoor activities for youth
- Build bowling alley and skating rink
- Develop summer activity programs
- Job training for students
- Purchase more computers for schools
- Have a city-wide youth coordinator
- Recruit people to move to town who might have the expertise to help with community needs
