FOLLOW-UP MEETING SCHEDULED
FOR “NEW DAY IN NEWTOWN”

Sarasota, FL: City of Sarasota residents and business owners are invited to attend a follow-up meeting to discuss the “New Day in Newtown” initiative. The meeting will be held Sat., February 23, 2008 9am – noon at Booker Middle School cafeteria, 2250 Myrtle Street. Light refreshments will be served.

The follow-up meeting is the result of the initial “New Day in Newtown” meeting held last week, when more than 150 concerned residents exchanged ideas on how to effect sustainable changes in North Sarasota. Suggestions included reducing crime, increasing job opportunities, launching mentoring programs and encouraging parental involvement. “This was just the first step and we need each and every one of you to stay engaged in the process,” Fredd “Glossie” Atkins, City Commissioner District One, wrote in a letter to participants thanking them for their involvement. “The goal is to develop a plan that is created by and embraced by the community that will be followed up quickly with an aggressive implementation plan,” Atkins said.

John McKnight, a world renowned community development expert, will be at the follow-up forum to help guide the community toward a workable action plan. He will share his experiences as co-founder of the Asset Based Community Development Institute at Northwestern University in Chicago. His concept of empowering and mobilizing residents is known as the “ABCD” principle.

Participants are encouraged to bring a friend, neighbor, relative or colleague to join in the discussion.

 

For more information, please contact:
Jan Thornburg, Public Information Officer (941) 954-2613
jan.thornburg@sarasotagov.com