A public workshop held by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen Wednesday in the General Morgan Inn allowed the public to take part in the planning of Greeneville's future.

City Administer Todd Smith presided at the event that not only educated the public on the strategic plan the board had outlined at their September retreat but also encouraged public feedback and additional ideas.

It is called Greeneville's "20/20 Vision," and is broken into five strategies.

Smith introduced each strategy and named the facilitator who will lead discussion in coming days with interested citizens to create plans for implementation of each of the five strategies.

Mayor W.T. Daniels said the purpose is to utilize many of the resources Greeneville and Greene County already has.

"This is a first for Greeneville," Daniels said.

"If anyone has ideas, we have an open door policy at town hall."

"People have great ideas, but they don't know how to make it become a reality."

"Are we going to increase taxes? Absolutely not. It's basically trying to utilize the resources we have here in Greeneville."

Daniels also said that this is not merely an initiative for Greeneville or town residents.

In order for the "20/20 Vision" to be successful, he said, its implementation and scope must extend to include Greene County.

"People forget that Greeneville is the county seat for Greene County," Alderman Sarah Webster added.

The "20/20 Vision" is a product of the Town Strategic Planning retreat held earlier in September.

"These are some of the things that we have talked about and we want to bring it to the people to see what we're doing," Daniels said.

Smith took the ideas presented at the all-day session and created the five-strategy outline for planning Greeneville's future, which is called "20/20 Vision."

"People can have a direct impact on local government here," Smith said.

Smith said that the next steps include the development of working groups and action plans for each of the five strategies, with periodic reports made to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

Those in attendance had the opportunity to sign up to join a strategy group that interested them.

Each strategy will have an action group to create goals and to brainstorm implementation. He plans for action groups to begin meeting possibly once before Christmas, but to really begin with the new year.

He said that each strategy needs a point of contact, needs to have a timeline, be achievable, and be measurable.

Smith said others that are interested in joining the strategy action groups may contact him at Town Hall to find out how. The number is 639-7105.

Alternatively, he can be reached through e-mail at (toddsmith@greenevilletn.gov)

"When we start achieving those goals, that's when this really becomes exciting," Smith said.

These are the five overall strategies:

1) Downtown revitalization

The action group will be facilitated by Andy Daniels, wife of Mayor Daniels and a former president of Main Street: Greeneville.

The strategy includes the following points:

* enhance retail, residential, and entrepreneurial opportunities downtown;

* support the Walters State Community College expansion project downtown;

* identify events that bring customers downtown on a periodic basis;

* develop long-range land use plans maximizing the business, residential, and educational potential downtown.

2) Maximize organizational effectiveness

The action group will be facilitated by Town Administrator Smith.

The strategy includes the following points:

* revise town ordinances and charter to allow for improved efficiencies;

* ensure the town maintains an effective website and other communication tools;

* develop budget strategies that anticipate future challenges and opportunities to include capital projects;

* look at the structure of town departments, joint ventures, and utility partners to strengthen service delivery and reduce costs;

* focus on customer service; and

* identify a process to capture additional grant opportunities.

3) Promote a healthy Greeneville

Action group facilitators will be Chuck Whitfield, Laughlin Memorial Hospital president and CEO, and Daniel Wolcott, Takoma Regional Hospital president and CEO.

The strategy has the following points:

* complete a community health assessment;

* work with healthcare providers to maximize the delivery of health services, and identify gaps in the existing services provided in Greeneville; and

* develop a plan to enhance sports/outdoor activities in Greeneville.

4) Prepare Greeneville's Infrastructure for tomorrow's development.

The action group facilitator will be Brad Peters, Town of Greeneville Engineer and Public Works Director.

The strategy has the following points:

* identify long-range capital infrstructure needs -- develop capital budget;

* identify potential revenue options for capital improvements;

* develop a replacement plan for existing utility infrastructure; and

* create a plan to bridge technology infrastructure gaps.

5) Keep Greeneville's Educational System at the Front

Dr. Linda Stroud, director of Greeneville City Schools, will facilitate.

The strategy has the following points:

* secure a longe-range facilities plan to include funding options;

* identify industry needs for technical workforce skills -- work with Walters State Community College, Tusculum College, and the Greene Technology Center to meet industry needs.