The BIG Picture Arrives at Taylor's Chapel PB Church
Story and photo by Phyllis Jones, Speakin' Out News senior staff writer
(SON photo credit: Phyllis Jones)
The BIG Picture Program Participants (left - right): Robert Bullard, Patricia Lane Bullard, Versey L. Jones, Councilman Devyn Keith, Donovan Gosa, Connie Graham and Elder James Lane.
(SON photo credit: Phyllis Jones)
(HUNTSVILLE, AL) -- For the past year or so, the City of Huntsville has been developing a new comprehensive master plan call The BIG Picture. The BIG Picture is a traveling exhibition that allow the citizens to see "The BIG Picture" of what our community can become over time, with their input.
On November 9, 2016, The BIG Picture exhibition arrived at Taylor's Chapel PB Church. Elder James Lane is the pastor. Both he and Robert Bullard (Chairman - Board of Trustees) extended greetings and made the guest feel welcomed. The opening prayer was prayed by Reverend Versey L. Jones, pastor of Lewis Chapel CPCA and Master Donovan Gosa (Taylor's Chapel youth) lead the guest in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Patricia Lane Bullard, a member of Taylor's Chapel's Board of Trustees and the facilitator of the event, was instrumental in having The BIG Picture on display at her church November 9-13, 2016.
Connie Graham, who wears many hats, is the city's demographer and is also a part of The BIG Picture team. Graham and her team have traveled to all ends of the city, getting ideas to develop a plan for our city's future. Graham stated that this planning process is for people who will be here 20-30 years from now. She encouraged everyone to look at the display and to provide feedback. "When it's time to go before our city council, please be there to support so we can help them make the right decision about things you want to see happen in our city," Graham pleaded.
The BIG Picture is being developed in three phases: (1) Our Study - providing research, demographics and economic data to determine who we are and how we compare with other cities across the nation; (2) Our Vision - engaging citizens in a variety of workshops, lectures and online forums about their ideas, dreams and desires for a better and sustainable Huntsville; and (3) Our Plan - formulating a transparent, breathable plan with the ability to guide funding and policy decisions. This plan will be updated each year to best reflect changing conditions.
Bullard encouraged the attendees to keep the following BIG Picture principles in mind when viewing the display: Principle One - Build a live/work/thrive community; Principle Two - Expand a sustainable resilient economy; Principle Three - Design a mobile and accessible transportation network; Principle Four - Maintain a network of exceptional education; Principle Five - Support local artists and culture; and Principle Six - Develop healthy and active neighborhoods.
Councilman Devyn Keith (District 1) shared his views about growth for District 1. "What North Huntsville needs is growth and that growth should be structured, economical and efficient. You pay the same amount of tax dollars that every other district pays, but a lot of the districts are seeing growth. Not because there isn't opportunity in North Huntsville, but we have to do long range planning and find opportunity that reflects not only our community, but our culture. Some things won't make it in North Huntsville, so we have to find the things that do." Keith went on to say that the long range planning and The BIG Picture is depending upon the citizens to be the voice that the community needs.
