Residents turn out for Rocky Fork Lake Town Hall forum

More than 90 residents attended the Rocky Fork Lake Town Hall meeting on Nov. 5, held at the AmVets Post 61 conference room.

Community members were asked to discuss proposed crime-reduction strategies in the Rocky Fork Lake area. The development of a list of strategies is the result of one year of intensive planning efforts designed to identify issues and ultimately address crime in “hot spot” neighborhoods.

The panel of local officials included Commissioner Shane Wilkin, Project Manager LuAnn Winkle of Turning Point, Paint Township Trustee Randy Mustard, Sheriff Donnie Barrera and Health Commissioner Jared Warner.

The meeting and project is facilitated by Angela Carl of Planning for Success, which is the planning consultant for the project.

Those in attendance discussed the "Evidence Based Practices" under consideration to address crime and the drivers of criminal elements in the Rocky Fork Lake neighborhoods targeted in the planning grant.

Priority issues include:

• Economic Development;

• Crime and Safety;

• Housing and Property; and,

• Community Services.

“We are committed to ensuring that residents of the target neighborhoods are heard,” Winkle said. “Community engagement is the most important piece of the plan development. This project is about making your community and your neighborhood safe, prosperous and beautiful.”