COMMENTARY: Play A Role In The Future Of Rogers

City Leaders Say Results Will Define What Rogers, Lowell Will Be In 2025

Thursday, January 23, 2014

I took the survey — and it was like deja vu all over again.

The survey to which I refer is part of efforts to develop a “community action plan” for Rogers and Lowell.

Survey answers and interviews with focus groups will help determine how the cities look in 2025 — so say officials and the consultants developing the plan, Market Street Services.

I totally swear to you this is what I heard the last time I took the survey that reminded me so much of this survey. That was the survey that led to the rebranding of Rogers.

And just how many of you know what that brand is?

That’s what I thought.

It’s “Rogers — Where Possible Lives,” which is grammatically suspect, but has a nice, positive ring to it.

Anyway, the survey questions are darned similar. As a matter of fact, the topics of those questions are awfully close to the topics we discussed at all the visioning meetings I have attended over the years. You know visioning? It sounds like a lot more fun than it is. You might think a questionable substance is involved, but no, the visions come from all the talking, not from the inhaling.

So here we are, talking about many of the same things we have been talking about for years, only this time we are paying $100,000 for a report about what we think the future should hold and how to get there. The report apparently costs more than that, but there's nothing to compel the Chamber of Commerce to ‘fess up to how much they are kicking in.

I don’t want to spoil the surprise if you haven’t taken the survey, but here are a couple of the questions for you to cogitate on:

My answer was “quality of life” — I stole the phrase from John Sampier, our former mayor, who repeated it so often I threatened to throttle him.

My answer: Lack of an entertainment district; parks which could and should be extraordinary but aren’t; traffic.

This is the answer that convinced me I could indeed seek a job in public relations:

“The city of Rogers will continue to be guided by forward-thinking individuals who make sure the city reaches it fullest potential. The city is diverse in all categories, attractive, clean and meets the needs of all its residents.”

I wrote about the “services/retail” trap, noting that diversification is a must. I wrote about being pro-active and transparent — the current go-to word in government. I said I wanted the downtown community preserved as the area moves forward.

I wasn’t invited to participate in a focus group — I know, shocking isn’t it? However, our reporter John Gore talked to Ed McClure, who did attend one. Ed’s an attorney, man about town and active volunteer with the Rogers Little Theater.

He, too, noted that some of the topics had surfaced previously, specifically making downtown Rogers a go-to entertainment district. And, Ed observed, this wasn’t the city’s first rodeo — my words, not his — when it comes visioning and plans. He said, however, he thinks there's “muscle” enough behind this effort to make sure what needs to happen, happens.

I think he may be right.

The community action plan isn’t all about downtown, but the Northwest Arkansas Council — which swings a mighty big stick — is working with local officials to help revitalize downtowns in the region. And, really, when they say do it, people pretty much do it.

I have no evidence to prove it, but I have to wonder if the council suggested now was the time to take a big picture look, too.

The council is led by people so important they aren’t even listed on the website. Here’s a hint: it does say the council is “actively supported and empowered by high-level executive leaders at homegrown, world-class corporations such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Tyson Foods and J.B. Hunt.”

Walton, Tyson and Hunt.

Yep. Something might just get done this time.

To take the survey go to www.rogerslowellvision.com.

LEEANNA WALKER IS LOCAL EDITOR OF THE ROGERS MORNING NEWS AND THE SPRINGDALE MORNING NEWS. FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER AT WWW.TWITTER.COM/NWALEEANNA