IDEAS to ACTION

May12, 2009 "Ideas to Action" meeting was held at the
Tum Tum Community Center.
This was a community forum to let everyone know what has been happening, during our Leadership Plenty training. Public officials were invited to attend the meeting, along with the public. Rep. Shelly Short from the 7th Legislative District along with County Commissioner Larry Guenther were in attendance.

Dana Michie gave a report on Cost Effective Communications for all in the community. During his presentation, it was learned that Ecliptixnet is very interested in bringing Broadband service to the Tum Tum area. They are looking into a USDA Grant for this project. The added benefit, to our community,would be in the form of a new community center or up-dating our existing Tum Tum Community Center. Another benefit would be that once Ecliptixnet tower/s are in place, it could be a jumping off spot for cell phone companies. Ecliptixnet could lease space to interested cellular providers, thus improving the cell phone service, in the Tum Tum area.

Ron Crigger gave a report on Public Transportation. It was learned that if there could be 150 people per day riding an STA bus, they might explorer the possibility of a route out in our area. Another discussion was to look at seeing how we might get a bus for a local route going between the top of Big Sandy Hill out to Ford. So may exciting possibilities came during from Ron's presentation.

Phil Putman gave a report on Events that Create enthusiasm for our Community. Many different ideas have come up from having an outdoor summer movie event, to having our own bowling alley, should there be an entrepreneur who would like to pursue that idea. The main focus right now is the 4th of July event, held at the Lakeside Middle School. A Pancake Breakfast will be held, at the Pizza Factory, on Saturday May 16, as a fund raiser for the 4th of July event. Donations are continuing to come in from private individuals & businesses. Our 4th of July event will have craft/food vendors, a car show, possible parade, live music/entertainment & fire works in the evening. Please come & join us for a fun filled day.

Jim Hayes gave a report on Easier Access to Basic Resources for people in need. One of the exciting ideas, is to have a mobile bus that would go throughout the communities. This bus could provide Internet service to individuals, it could help with tax preparation, it could also provide the means to have individuals from the County Office in Colville come down & be more readily available for residents here in NW Stevens County

Having our elected officials present, along with representatives from the WSU Extension office, made for a great brainstorming evening. Information was exchanged with the Tum Tum/Lake Spokane Horizon group, which will no doubt help them in pursuing the ideas, which the community has addressed, as a need.

Thank you to all who attended the May 12th meeting.

Please come & join us at our meetings, as we move forward into the "Visioning Project". This is your community & there are two paths to choose from. Either you stay the course & do nothing or you move in a different direction, helping to promote & improve your community.