Cary Library, RSU 29/70 Adult Education, the town of Houlton and the Houlton Chamber of Commerce are organizing a community-wide conversation as part of “Let’s Talk Local,” a statewide program that encourages citizens to talk about issues important to them. Houlton was one of the towns selected to participate and will host a community discussion titled “Your Voice, Our Future” at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9, at the Houlton Recreation Center.
What makes living in southern Aroostook County special? What needs to change? Do you identify with your neighborhood, local businesses, places of worship, schools or civic organizations and are these meaningful connections working or is there need for improvement? If you were asked what southern Aroostook County’s future looks like, how would you describe it?
These are some challenging questions and there is no right or wrong answer. Take advantage of this opportunity to meet and discuss the community’s future needs, where a person’s opinion counts and where he/she will be heard. There is power and pleasure in joining together with friends, neighbors and community members for having an open discussion, giving voice to possibilities for the future of the local towns.
“Let’s Talk Local” is a one-session, facilitated conversation centered on an issue of local importance and for Houlton; the discussion will center on the town’s future. The session will be facilitated in Houlton by Jan Grieco, local scholar, skilled in facilitating public programs. The goal is to allow participants to voice their opinions and experiences, and to hear and respond to the views of others. This is a chance to voice needs and concerns that are facing the local community. This one-time program may encourage communities to continue the conversation through their own version of the “Let’s Talk Local” model.
“Let’s Talk Local” is offered through a partnership with Cary Library, RSU 29/70 Adult Education, the town of Houlton and the Houlton Chamber of Commerce with support from the Maine Humanities Council. It is being held in 10 communities across the state in 2014. For more information about the statewide program and about the work of the Maine Humanities Council visit www.mainehumanities.org or call the office in Portland at 207-773-5051.
For more information about the Houlton community discussion, call Linda Faucher at Cary Library at 532-1302 or Bernadette Farrar at RSU 29/70 Adult Education at 521-3100, ext. 3150.
