New Town, ND

After hard work by many community participants New Town has completed a program sponsored by Northwest Area Foundation to enhance leadership, community and reduce poverty. After being chosen to participate in the program, it started with the Study Circles which discussed poverty, it’s many causes and visions for their town.   After that they conducted the Leadership Plenty training for volunteer community leaders.  Then……..they involved over 200 persons of all income levels, ages, and ethnic backgrounds to develop a comprehensive vision for New Town.   The NDSU Group Decision Center assisted as did the State Horizens program with compiling the serveys.   Then the Horizens participants helped chose goals and strategies.   Cheyanne Erickson, Ft Berthold Extension Agent typed up the final decisions.   All the stages had rigorous time and participation deadlines,  but now the $10,000.00 is on the way and we can use it towards meeting our visions.   Our vision is on our blog site if you with to read it.

Last week community leaders had a chance to hear from USDA Community Development, ND Dept of Transportation, ND Dept of Commerce-community planning, and ND Housing and Finance.   The agencies were interesting and helpful, warned us of the time it takes to go through red tape and encouraged us to work together to access the many programs available.  

Ask any adult from here and they will tell you of the fun of summer rodeos and the dances that went with them.    The Horizens Board , the City and the Blue Buttes Saddle Club have a chance to clean-up and fix-up the neglected area to make it safe and insurable .   If the Saddle Club will help the City with the insurance bill, the Horizens group can help with materials and labor.This is a chance to make a place where local families who have horses can use them in family and neighborly activities.    It can be used for activities like bicycle rodeos, and other youth activities that work best out of doors.     If you get a chance, support us, better yet join us.

This year’s traditional clean-up set precedents.   A record number of different groups planned the effort including the North Segment Community (a Tribal Subdivision), the New Town Chamber, the City, the NT High School, the alternative school. and the Blue Buttes Saddle Club.   Some of the plans are still in the works, but hopes are high.   North Segment had their usual trash pick-up with kids getting bracelets for the State Fair and other prizes, community groups and NS worked together to clean-up designated areas.   The schools were covering graffiti and some classes were on line to make signs.The Saddle club is working with Horizens and the city to pay insurance so it can becovered by the city’s insurance and the Horizens group can sponsor a work day to refurbish it and make it safe again.  The best news about spring clean-up is that folks are working with new groups to get the job done.      

 After repeated  discussion in Horizens Talking Circles and Visioning sessions,  as well as from just over 200 New Town persons who filled out questionnaires about their vision for New Town’s future, be on the look out!  Anyone wishing to particiate in the Neighborhood Watch can help protect their neighborhood and their own belongings by reading the Neighborhood Watch materials and following the advice there.    It is a great way to improve your neighborhood….Keep your eye out for the introductory news and get togethers. Representatives from the city of New Town, Fort Berthold Housing Authority, and the Horizens program are taking the first steps to get it going.     Chuck Gilstad from the city,  Dennis Fox and Scott Eagle from FBHA and Anita Rohde from Horizens  have met several times, have visited with law enforcement and are planning for the famous blue and white Neighborhood Watch signs to go up soon.   Stay tuned for how you can participate.   You can even comment if you click on the tiny blue “no comment” or “comment” below this post.  

New Town Strategic Plan     New Town’s Horizens Steering Committee took input from over 200 people and wrote plans to make our community a welcome and safe  If one of these strategies appeals to you and you want to join in the fun, call the NDSU Extension  Office at 627-3446 or comment at the bottom of the post.      New Town Strategic Planning  Vision Statement  -   New Town is a community:That welcomes everyone in our community and provides a sense of belonging;That embraces the cultural diversity of our community and draws on the strengths and talents of each community member;Where all citizens are safe and secure and have equal access to services and amenities; including education, healthcare, recreation and cultural activities;That looks for opportunity and develops partnerships with government, citizens, business, educational and service communities Supports a diverse and resilient economic baseThat provides ample employment and business opportunity to all community members;Engages community members in public involvement and community improvementResponsible to the needs of its citizens. KEY THEME OR CATEOGORY TO WORK ON :  WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTGOAL 1:  Address the need for vocational trades and provide jobs for community members

  KEY THEME OR CATEOGORY TO WORK ON :  SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND EXPANSIONGOAL 1:  GROW AND DEVELOP ENTREPRENEURS  

 KEY THEME OR CATEGORY TO WORK ON:  HOUSINGGOAL 1:  INCREASE HOME OWNERS   

  GOAL 2: DEVELOP ADEQUATE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES

KEY THEME OR CATEGORY TO WORK ON:  COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATIONGOAL 1: CREATE AESTHETICALLY APPEASING YARDS AND STREETS  

  GOAL 2:  VANDALISM AT AN ALL TIME LOW  

  KEY THEME OR CATEGORY TO WORK ON: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GOAL 1:  PROVIDE MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES, RECREATION AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF ALL AGES  

  KEY THEME OR CATEGORY TO WORK ON:  YOUTH AND ADULT PARTNERSHIPS GOAL 1:  CREATE OPPORUNITIES TO ENGAGE Y OUTH AND ADULTS