Residents in the greater Boise area are teaming up for a community visioning process they hope will help guide future physical and economic development in the region. It's been tried before, but organizers argue this time will be different.
"Vision for the Valley started as an editorial-page project of the Idaho Statesman but has been handed off to about 80 TreasureValley political, business and community members who formed a steering committee and 10 subcommittees addressing the economy, transportation, culture, environment and neighborhoods, and other topics.
For the first time, such a grass-roots project has embraced both Ada and Canyon counties, inviting people to explore new avenues of cooperation and craft a regional strategic plan.
Such grass-roots efforts can get results. In 2000, city leaders and a citizens group joined forces to preserve open space in the Foothills. The Boise Foothills levy - a two-year, $10 million property tax levy - received about 60 percent voter approval.
But community "visions" also can be fickle undertakings."
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