Chamber Vision October 2016 | Page 6

6 Date October 2016 Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce and Convention & Visitors Bureau Chairman’s Corner I’ve had the opportunity to attend several planning and vision discussions over the last couple of months. Someone commented during one of those meetings that Emporia and Lyon County like their consultants and outside commentators regarding our vision and direction… Interesting. I’ve lived in this area now for more than 32 years. Making a decision apparently is a difficult decision. I’m not sure if that is because we can’t envision the decision Pete Euler Chairman of the Board and need others to help us see or feel how that decision would look. Or is it because a decision to change might impact someone or something and we just can’t do that. We just aren’t the kind of people that will do harm. We want everyone to be happy. Local topics of conversation circa 2016 -17 is housing, work force shortage, infrastructure issues such as sewage, water, or roads, and then the list goes to one of maybe 10 more things. Depending on who is looking and who outside is consulting them how. A former mayor and town leader told me a week ago. The majority of this is nothing new to Emporia and Lyon County we just didn’t have the votes or those in place didn’t want to be the ones to make those decisions. And 20 years later we are still looking for those votes or someone to make those decisions. In closing, We need to gather together (City of Emporia, Lyon County, Emporia Chamber of Commerce and whoever else). Generate great energy from the strength of all of those experiences. Stop the branding of who has a project or an idea. And then we as a community can be confident, we can trust and we will profit as a community from the power of this union. Pete Euler 2016 Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce Chairman Find us on Facebook! • Office Supplies • Furniture & Design • Custom Printing • Specialty Advertising • Promotional Products • Clothing • Custom Embroidery • IT Services 728 Mechanic | Emporia, KS | 620-342-2092 www.navrats.com