Neighborhood Revitalization Action Team sets goals to clean up Fort Scott

Fort Scott -- The Neighborhood Revitalization Action Team from Fort Scott Community Visioning has a working plan to clean up Fort Scott.

The NR team has established three main grassroot goals to improve Fort Scott neighborhoods and the overall community; communication, service projects and coordinating efforts.

The NR will operate as a vehicle to research and communicate information such as common code violations, city and state programs, grants, loans and other information that can empower individuals to clean up and repair their residences and other aspects of the community.

"We want to communicate to people how keeping their yards and streets clean can help with the overall economic development of the town," said Tabatha Goodwin, NR co-convener. "Neighborhoods are only one aspect that a relocating business will look at when considering Fort Scott. We have to take care of every aspect of our community."

The NR team will also initiate a series of service projects across the community such as clean sweeps, neighborhood clean up block parties and painting park equipment.

"We understand that information alone isn't going to fix our problems," Goodwin said. "We have to get out there and help people and empower them to help themselves and others."

The team is looking to establish fun new projects in Fort Scott. "We want to push the envelope of community involvement," Goodwin said. "A neighborhood isn't just a group of houses. It's homes, churches, schools and parks. We want to establish community gardens, artistic murals, neighborhood watches. We want to create projects that when they are done, people will stand back and say, 'I am proud of Fort Scott.'"

The team's third main goal is to coordinate efforts and resources so that the team can operate as a "go to" entity for assistance and information. The team is currently collecting contact information of organizations, businesses and individuals who want to contribute to neighborhood revitalization through labor, resources or financial donations.

The working plan has created enthusiasm among the team.

"We are very excited about this project and strive for this enthusiasm to become infectious in our community," said Debbie Anderson, NR co-convener.

The NR team recently revamped itself after a short hiatus from its inception in 2005. The team's approach is to start with small projects that will lead to a great impact in the community.

"As a committee I know there have been times that we felt this to be a little overwhelming," Anderson said. "But breaking this down piece by piece it is a very doable project. Many areas could simply be helped by a fresh coat of paint, cutting down a bush or fixing a porch. The vital aspect of this project is that it is important for the community to realize that we are not asking people to make repairs beyond their means, but to take pride in what they have."

Those interested in volunteering or donating financial or in-kind resources should contact Anderson or Goodwin at NRfortscott@hotmail.com or visit http://nrfortscott.webs.com/ for more information.