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LA FARGE/FEMA COMMUNITY MEETINGS: Where Do We Go From Here? 

 

Meetings were held on 3/16/2019 and 3/20/2019 to discuss ideas regarding future plans for La Farge. Talks included changes made after the 2008 flood, concerns for spring/summer 2019, what makes La Farge special, what wouldn’t you want to lose in La Farge and what is your vision for the future.  Below are notes regarding those conversations.  The conversation was stimulating and as you can see below, ideas were plentiful.  Any and all ideas were accepted - regardless of cost or feasibility.  If you have any additional thoughts, please forward them to the village office for collection.

Changes made after the 2008 flood

  • New Emergency Services building housing the Fire, EMS and Police departments.

  • New apartment building

  • Opening of the Oak Drive addition for development

  • Park/Green space on the south end of town with handicap accessible fishing dock, hiking and disc golf

Concerns for Spring/Summer 2019

  • Map of alternative routes in case of flooding and road closures

  • Communication system

  • Emergency plans - available to the public

  • Adapting flexible policies - national, state and local

  • Up to date flood maps - next one should be available in 2020

  • Utilities is doing a great job

  • Avoid power outages

  • Planning for ALL types of disasters

  • Public Involvement/Communication

  • Emergency communications - public platform

  • Adaptable backup power

  • Nixle Alerts - phone app for alerts at the county level

  • Coordination of community groups

  • Electricity/generator

  • More Flooding

  • Affordable Housing - long term

  • Temporary Housing - gym, school

  • Communication with residents - other than word of mouth

  • Written plan

What makes La Farge Special

  • Sense of community

  • The river

  • Natural beauty

  • Healthy local food

  • Cooperative and civic minded

  • Summer

  • Solid employment opportunities

  • Services - medical clinic, etc.

  • Kickapoo Valley Reserve

  • La Farge Area Partners

  • Home - personal history

  • Broadband - telecommunication opportunities

  • Community support, kindness

  • Local newspaper

  • Feeling of safety

  • Accommodating and inclusive

  • Small town atmosphere

  • Lots of activities

  • Library - activities, kids, librarian etc.

  • School

  • Small businesses

  • Tourist accommodation

  • People - kind and neighborly

  • Low crime

  • Peaceful

  • Clinic

  • Emergency services

  • Library

  • Grocery/Hardware

  • Community organizations

  • Organic Valley Headquarters

  • Reserve

  • Community spirit of togetherness

  • Amish - tourism and support

  • Community center

  • 2 Churches

  • School

  • Parks and ball diamond

  • Driftless area concept

  • Farmers market

  • Motorcycles

  • 4th of July celebration

  • Taverns and restaurants

  • Nature

  • River - canoeing, fishing

  • Outdoor sports

  • Senior facility

  • Salon

What Don’t You Want to Lose

  • Everything in the “What Makes La Farge Special” list

  • Volunteer Fire Department

  • Emergency Services

  • Unique qualities

  • Open atmosphere

  • Businesses

  • School

  • Disability support

  • Helpful community

  • Electricity substation

  • Lumberyard

  • OV Retail store

  • Grocery Store

  • Farmers market

  • Gas station

  • Homes

  • Population

  • West end of downtown

  • Any businesses

  • Tax base

  • Historic buildings

  • Tourist draws

  • People

What Is Your Vision For the Future

  • Housing options - affordable options, rental and home owning

  • Telecommuters

  • Relocated businesses

  • Park

  • Alternate use of floodplains

  • More youth

  • Convenience/General store

  • More restaurants

  • More land

  • Renewable energy - 100% locally generated

  • Better river monitoring system

  • Employment for disabled

  • Proactive mitigation - roads and buildings

  • Holding ponds

  • Levee/flood gates

  • Connecting all trails to Kickapoo Valley Reserve

  • Adaptable architecture

  • Band shell - low key outdoor music venue

  • RV Park

  • Safe place - not anxious over flooding

  • Flood control

  • Levee system

  • Relocation

  • Develop-able land

  • Drainage system

  • Redeveloping abandoned areas

  • Increase tax base

  • Stabilizing utilities

  • More camping - RV park

  • Tourist accommodations

  • Tourism marketing

  • Easy walking and accessibility

  • Activities and jobs for teens

  • Teen town temp agency

  • Youth community involvement and pride

  • Regional cooperation - tourism and economic development

  • Mini mall

  • New business opportunities

  • Improvement/Development assistance

  • Day Care

  • Action oriented strategies

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