Approximately half a dozen past city councilors spanning 20 years of community involvement have banded together to form a task force to significantly improve the economic activity in the greater Caribou area.
Looking for ideas, projects, thoughts from the taxpayers to help feed the economic growth, the newly formed group, calling itself TGIHF (The Glass is Half Full) will form sub-committees to work on ideas, investigate their feasibility, and raise start-up monies.
Helping to provide employment opportunities in Caribou is the task force’s main focus, said TGIHF spokesman Dave Corriveau, a past councilor and mayor.
“With new job creation comes a positive attitude from the general population, a new purpose to be involved, welfare programs decrease, taxes begin to stabilize. Our population also begins to stabilize, and outmigration slows down,” he said. “Added revenue enhances the existing businesses that struggle with a stagnant economy and opens the door for entrepreneurs who see a need for a new business ventures. How can you lose?” Corriveau added.
Corriveau said there is a small minority of Caribou citizens working toward betterment, but he knows this has to change in order for Caribou to come out on top. “The minority has to turn into a majority. Can it be done? Absolutely. One needs to get involved to create change,” he said.
Corriveau sees this as a catalyst to invoke a positive change. This task force, he said, has all the ingredients “to be a good strong glue to bind our community together.”
He said it is not fair or practical to expect miracles to happen from a sitting city council. He contends that they have too many distractions and mandated disclosures and transparency issues to deal with.
“The task force has no bias or politics. We are open to all like-minded people with a positive can-do attitude,” Corriveau said.
The group’s first official meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 2 from 6:30-8 p.m. in the multi-purpose room of the Caribou Wellness Center. It is open to the public.
