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Build
a Good People Climate
This climate
is characterized by individuals and organized groups working together
to build community and solve problems. A good climate provides basic
amenities that all citizens need. What do we need?
One, we need
to assure the provision of health care, childcare and elder care.
WSU Stevens County Extension provides educational programs on
significant health care issues. We participate in the annual Hospice
satellite program and have conducted health forums on Hormone Replacement
Therapy and cancer prevention. We work closely with the Area Health
Education Center in Spokane in designing and offering these programs.
Second, we need
to invest in educational opportunities and lifelong learning.
Educational opportunity is essential in creating and supporting
family-wage jobs that rural communities need in today's changing
economic climate. WSU has long been in the forefront in providing
education for local citizens. The WSU Distance Degree Program offers
four Bachelors Degree options that can be completed here in Stevens
County. We provide life skill education for K-12 youth in our community
through the 4-H program that involves nearly 150 adult volunteers.
We have trained more than 50 Master Gardener and Food Safety Advisor
volunteers to work with local citizens in their gardening and food
preservation efforts.
Third, we need
to build trust between county government and its citizens. County
government provides many of the essential services that make our
community a good place to live. County government can also provide
leadership in building community and promoting economic development.
We have been working with the county commissioners on ways to engage
citizens in the governance of their county. This effort has included
composing brochures on how our property tax dollar is distributed,
a letter from the commissioners and a web-based survey on public
safety.
Fourth, we need
to invest in the cultural life of our community. Communities
are stronger when art galleries, musical events and theater are
supported and readily available. Studies show that children who
receive arts training do better in reading, writing and math, and
that the arts contribute to the well-being and happiness of local
citizens. An expressive community attracts entrepreneurs and helps
them to become more innovative. Our Foreign Film series is one of
these events. We show a foreign film each Friday for a month (e.g.,
October) and at each film a professor from WSU Pullman comes to
Colville to discuss the film and the culture of the country where
the film was produced.
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