On August 4th, 2009 the citizens of Monroe City, MO met to discuss the future of our community. The meeting was diverse and the ideas broad on what direction our town should take. Certainly, there is no one path that will rebuild this once thriving and still proud community.
Our days as the die-casting capital of North America may very well be coming to an end. However, there is still some hope that we can preserve a small portion of the nearly 2,000 die-casting jobs that Diemakers and Khulmans were once responsible for. That fate, we are sure, is mostly out of our hands.
What we know for certain is that collectively we have the brain power, ambition and motivation to save ourselves. But, it's going to take a community effort. Who's going to be there to assist that young entreprenuer while they turn their idea into a viable business? Who's going to ensure that recreational opportunities exist for both current citizens and newcomers? Who's going to keep our town beautiful and visually appealing? Who's going to reach out to the next generation of business owners and community leaders?
We will! And if we think that someone else is going to step in and throw us a lifeline then we've already accepted our current reality as our fate.
The showing at the town-hall forum on the 4th was promising. I ask that everyone who attended stay involved and at the next meeting, bring a guest.
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I attended the August 4 meeting and one of the topics mentioned was starting a community garden program. I have found a university extension person qualified to do an educational program on organizing a community garden. A site is also available on land owned by the Spalding Foundation. Of course there are many details to be worked out, one of which is whether or not there is enough interest. I would like to schedule a program for mid September for interested persons to attend. Would anyone like to suggest some good dates for this program? Steve Yates
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