A visioning exercise at another community meeting in Edmonds called for a new community-focused group serving the area at large.
A followup to the Edmonds town hall meeting saw 40 people attend Edmonds Community School on March 26, and most were in favour of creating a new community organization.
"Creating community can be done if there's a will for people to set aside some time and see the immense value of getting involved in their community," said Joyce Rostron, the former president of the Edmonds Business and Community Association. "It brings about a sense of belonging and pride and paves the way for a better future."
The idea of developing a new community-focused group to serve the needs and wants of the Edmonds area at large was a popular one proposed by Lindy McQueen, one of the meeting's facilitators.
She said she envisioned a community group organizing special events to put Edmonds on the map, including individual ethnic celebrations, clean sweeps, Friday night music events and encouraging all levels of government to participate in the discussions and activities.
The attendees were more in favour of that idea rather than revitalizing the 11year-old Edmonds Business and Community Association that has experienced a huge dip in interest in the last two years, as was proposed by Rostron.
The business association will have its annual general meeting and hold elections for five new directors on April 12 at the Tommy Douglas Library from 6: 30 to 8: 30 p.m.
At the meeting last week, the attendees were split into groups to discuss one topic. Six main issues were raised such as gathering places, housing/services, business, atmosphere and recreation.
Each group chose a topic to discuss and was tasked to brainstorm solutions. Then a facilitator at each table reported the group's findings to everyone.
"It was amazing what happened," McQueen said about the brainstorming session. "Everyone had suggestions as to how to bring the topic that they were discussing to life."
There are more events scheduled involving community-building opportunities, according to Rostron.
On April 9 there is another community group meeting at Southside Community Church, from 6 to 8 p.m.
A spring clean sweep is scheduled on May 4 between 9: 45 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the parking lot of Gordon Presbyterian Church on 7457 Edmonds St. Lunch is provided for all participants.
