SCC and Macon County graduate first class from Leadership Macon

FRANKLIN - Ten residents of Macon County graduated from the Leadership Macon Institute on Friday, April 27, at the Macon County Courthouse.

Leadership Macon—a 76-hour course funded jointly by SCC and Macon County—resulted from a recommendation of Vision 2025, a team appointed by the Macon County Commissioners to establish priorities in addressing Macon County's needs for the next 25 years.

Macon County residents were chosen based on applications they submitted to Southwestern Community College to attend Leadership Macon. The graduating students included: Susan Erwin, Stacy Guffey, Barbara Keating, Phillip Moore, Kevin Bell, Harvey Krape, Les H. Sintay, Braham Edwards, Scott Thomas and George Stork.

The students divided themselves into three teams and chose topics to assess in Macon County—land-use planning, healthcare and education. The program began with a two-day retreat at The Mountain in Highlands followed by eight Monday session meetings from 2 - 8:30 p.m. every three weeks and covered topics such as: leadership styles, goals, team building, economic development, environment, health care, education, decision models, consensus building, stewardship, county and city government and financing. Throughout the seven-month course, the teams assessed their assigned area as it related to class topics and prepared a presentation based on their learned knowledge. These presentations were given to elected officials and other community leaders at the graduation ceremony held on April 27.

Ervin, Guffey, Keating and Moore made up the first team. Their topic covered the issue of land-use planning in Macon County.

Guffey opened the presentation by defining smart growth and explaining its importance, "We all know that Macon County is experiencing rapid growth and change. It seems that we have reached a consensus that planning for this growth change is necessary and will be beneficial to the community."

Guffey went on to explain nine tools the team developed for "smartgrowth": planned water and sewer extension, urban growth boundaries, traditional neighborhood development, cluster development, impact fees, favorable tax policies, frontage requirements, downtown preservation and revitalization and purchase or donation of development rights.

Team member Moore then shared with the community leaders a program the team was working on with Caterpillar. Caterpillar has been asked to deed or set aside a portion of their property in the Macon County Indutrial Park abutting the Cartoogachaye Creek. As a result of this conservation easement, the Town water supply would be protected, Caterpillar employees would get the use of a new picnic area within the easement, and Catepillar's property tax bill would be reduced,

This portion of the team's project gave the team members an opportunity to do real land planning and gave Caterpillar an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to Franklin and Macon County.

The second team, composed of Bell, Krape and Sintay, assessed Macon County's health care situation. After discovering that Macon County's fastest growing population is the 90 and older age group and that teen pregnancy rate in Macon County is the highest in the state—96 - out of every 1,000 teen girls are pregnant—the health care team was ready to research changes to help the community.

The team set out to do two things: develop a web site and pamphlet educating Macon residents and newcomers on the health care options currently available and to assist in developing a teen center, managed by teens, to provide a safe form of entertainment.

The website, www.maconhealthcare.com, and pamphlets available at all local healthcare agencies and real estate offices were successfully implemented by the team. They provide area residents with information on what medical facilities are currently available in the local area.

The team is currently looking for a sponsor to underwrite the cost of maintaining the web site—approximately $160 a year.

Although the team was graduating, Krape expressed his dedication in seeing the teen center become a reality. "These teens have nothing to do," he said. "A teen center ran by teens would provide these kids entertainment and keep them out of trouble. Speaking for myself, I don't plan on giving up on the teen center."

The final team of Edwards, Thomas and Storke assessed education in Macon County, specifically preschool.

Initially the team wanted to assist middle-income families with childcare costs. Low-income families can acquire subsidized funding, but the team wanted to help families who didn't meet the income requirements for subsidized funding. They discovered that there was already a program in place, SmartStart—a program that assists middle-income families with childcare expenses. This naturally begged the question the team then sought after, "Why aren't these services known?"

Thus began the group's focus on educating the general public about public services available to them. The team went to Premier Marketing of Franklin and asked for their assistance in developing a marketing strategy to implement their idea. Together, they came up with billboards, print ads, Radio PSAs, comprehensive brochures, press releases and direct mail postcards.

To accomplish their goals of educating the public and thanking taxpayers for the monies paid to support these programs, the team developed a "Thank you Macon County for all you do" ad campaign, which spotlights the many public services available.

Visibly impressed by the suggestions and research the three teams invested in their presentations, Vice-Chairman Macon County Commissioner, Janet Greene said, "I want to add my personal congratulations for being the first class to graduate from Leadership Macon. And on behalf of the County Commissioners and the people of Macon County, thank you. You did an incredible job."

SCC President Dr. Cecil Groves added, "These were the finest presentations of leadership actions I've ever heard. I really think Macon County is taking a great initiative in leadership, and like it or not, you're a star."

Chairman of the Macon County Board of Commissioners, Harold Corbin presented the graduates with key chains and a letter opener on behalf of the Commissioners saying, "Determination is the greatest thing you'll ever have to face. I know you're going to do great things."

The graduates were at last presented their diplomas by SCC Macon Center Director and the Leadership Macon Coordinator, Hank Shuler.

For additional information on Leadership Macon, contact Shuler at 369-7331 or visit www.southwesterncc.edu/macon on the Internet. For additional information on the presentations given by the Leadership Macon graduates, contact any Macon County Commissioner.