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Tom Kneller Heads the New Vision to 2004 and Far Beyond;
7 Partners Fund $15,000 Plan Program for More Progress

By JIM BARBIERI
YOUR ideas are wanted.
Inserted in the News-Banner recently was a one-page, 8 by 11-inch “Ballot” entitled “Help Plan Wells County’s Future.” More are available at the United way office. Your views are being sought.
Listed as seeking your views are:
-- The United Way of Wells County.
-- Wells County Chamber of Commerce.
-- Wells County Foundation.
-- Bluffton Regional Medical Center.
-- Wells County Government.
-- City of Bluffton.
-- Ossian Development Corporation.
The United Way, with its focus on determining community input on the direction of its annual allocations of campaign-raised funds, has allotted $10,000 to this assessment operation, with the rest of an indicated $14,000 to $15,000 budget coming from the other organizations and governments.
As was reported recently, they have decided as “partners” to extend the Wells County 2004 “five-year plan’’ (which has a year to go) to 2007.
Determined in an a review unfolded at a big meeting last month was a that with about a year to go on the action plans from 1999, Wells County had gone about half way -- actually achieving in full some key goals but barely getting off the starting blocks on a few others.
Rather than wrapping up next yearas scheduled, many at the May meeting favored the more efficient, less costly approach of extending the program to 2007 and beyond, and realigning on the targets based on developments that have made some of the 1999 targets now moot.
But in assembling the extension, the partner agencies and governments want to align it and other efforts to ideas from John Q. Public -- you.
Asked, therefore on this very simple “ballot” are just four questions:
-- What are the ASSETS of Wells County?
-- What are the CHALLENGES of Wells County?
-- What are the OPPORTUNITIES of Wells County?
-- What SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE can make Wells County an even better place?
You are asked then to mail or fax back your answers, sending your reply to United Way of Wells County, 112 South Main Street, Bluffton 46714, or FAX 824-2217
On this “ballot” you can decide whether or not you wish to give your name. It’s optional at the bottom of the form and says so.
If you need another form for your household or have other questions, etc., contact the United Way office, 824-5589.
Asked is that the responses from the public be sent in by July 1. Better yet, send it in today while its fresh in the mind, it was urged.
As was reported recently, the governmental and agency partners in this effort have brought back Jim Dittoe, national consultant, and his Winning Communities program used in the 1999 Wells County 2004 planning.
He is helping organize the current 2003 action for the extension, with Tom Kneller of Ossian Johnson Controls and president of the Wells County United Way board of directors, heading the Wells County “Win for Tomorrow” action -- the implementing of the extension.
Assisting Kneller are vice chairs Bluffton Mayor Ted Ellis and Wells County Commissioner president Randy Plummer.
The new vision planning is on the way!