June 11, 2009

editorial

Innovative development best

Village Council members have proposed two different strategies for local economic development and will decide soon which to pursue.

The more innovative strategy suggests that a Council-appointed task force of villagers knowledgeable about economic development oversee local efforts. This approach, proposed by Judith Hempfling and villagers Benji Maruyama and Dimi Reber, would ensure diverse perspectives on this vital topic. Because the task force members are volunteer, this strategy would free up Village funds for creative approaches to attracting new businesses, such as competitions with cash prizes for green energy startups.

Recent citizen task forces have proven amazingly valuable in both their expertise and commitment. The Energy Task Force not only saved the Village $3.5 million by showing we don’t need a new substation, but is also leading the way toward more conservation practices. The Visioning/Planning task force recommended an excellent firm to lead the upcoming visioning effort. The villagers who sit on these groups bring to the table not only experience but also a deep knowledge of local values. That knowledge is critical in choosing appropriate ways to sustain ourselves economically.

The second, more traditional, strategy, proposed by Council member Kathryn Van der Heiden, suggests that the Village hire a staff person to oversee development efforts. The Village needs a single point person rather than a group to move ahead quickly, Van der Heiden has said, and Community Resources already provides economic advice to Council. Also, according to Van der Heiden and Karen Wintrow, who has expressed support for this approach, weary volunteers should not have to shoulder this significant effort.

These arguments have merit. Clearly, a point person is needed, but Village Manager Mark Cundiff has expressed interest in filling that role, if his already-full plate of responsibilities could be trimmed. Secondly, the villagers proposing the new task force have themselves led the other volunteer efforts, and they don’t think they’re too tired. Those who are overextended will drop out; Yellow Springs has a wealth of engaged citizens to take their place. And Community Resources, which has contributed greatly to local development by overseeing the Center for Business and Education, is not the appropriate advisory body until all of its meetings are open to the public.

The overwhelming argument against this approach is expense. According to a draft budget by Cundiff, hiring even a part-time employee would cost the Village over $100,000. As the Village has only $150,000 to move forward at this time, hiring a staff person will quickly suck up valuable funds and limit other strategies. According to local economist Frank Goetzke at a recent Council meeting, the traditional approach of hiring an economic development staff person often results in a poor financial payoff for everyone except the person hired.

It’s exciting that Council is addressing this longtime need, and interested villagers are encouraged to attend the discussion at Council’s next meeting on Monday, June 15, at 7 p.m. Overall, as is often the case, the innovative approach seems best suited to meet the unique needs of Yellow Springs.

—Diane Chiddister