What do you think we should talk about? The weather is something we could talk about, but it is really hot right now because summer is trying to last a little longer. I don’t know what the weather is like where you are as you read this lovely message, but I hope it is beautiful.
We could talk about back-to-school time, which makes both kids and parents feel a range of emotions as they deal with the excitement and stress of a new school year. I kid you not—there are only two feelings.
One reason is that the kids don’t want to get up in the morning and do something other than stare at their phones all day. The second feeling is pure happiness for the parents as they send their kids back to school.
No matter what jokes I make, I hope the kids in your life have a great year at school. As soon as school starts up again, we should pay more attention to kids riding bikes and crossing the street on their way to and from school. Drivers, please slow down and pay attention.
When college students come back, they bring a lot of new energy to our community. They check out our local businesses and make a buzz that is both energizing and touching. Also, they have a big reason to celebrate: this year is UWRF’s 150th birthday.
We might talk about something that makes us angry, like football. The Green Bay Packers’ season has begun, and hope for a new era has come with it. A thrilling thought that makes us come back every season to cheer them on as they beat the other teams and head to another title season. Just hope the quarterback’s knee is okay.
I chose to talk about the environment, natural resources, and fun things to do in the city. The city knows how important our leadership is in these areas because we have very skilled and capable people on staff.
We are taking the time to make a big picture plan for what the future holds for the City of River Falls because of this. The end result will be a broad plan that fits with the Comprehensive plan, which is a record that shows the City’s plans for the next twenty years.
How we approach the sustainability staffing model will be based on the ideas that people have shared with us through the many ways we’ve asked them to help us make that document.
The Outdoor Recreation Plan, the Bike & Pedestrian Plan, and the Kinni Corridor Plan all asked people in the community for feedback to help them figure out what the city should focus on in the future.
When we look at these plans as a whole, they paint a picture of a place where people from the community and tourists can go to enjoy outdoor activities and natural resources. While they’re here, they know that this group cares about the environment and the future.
Regarding sustainability, the City Council passed the sustainability proclamation in 2012. Since then, a sustainability supervisor and dozens of city employees and volunteers have worked on this area to help many programs, projects, and efforts succeed. The story on the Powerful Choices program’s 10th anniversary is a great example of that.
The city’s sustainability projects have been set up over the last 20 years, and everything is still in place and working well. Troy Connolly is coming in as city forester for the time being. He is making sure that our Emerald Ash Borer program and all of the city’s other tree programs are up to date.
The community development, utilities, and facilities teams are keeping us on track with planned projects and programs and looking for new ones through grant funds.
There are still rebates, rewards, and programs for both homes and businesses that help them use energy more efficiently. You can be sure that we will stay on top of this field and more going forward.
Don’t forget that this is your city. Tell everyone how much you love it, then go have fun with it.