NORTH MANCHESTER - Twenty-six North Manchester community members discussed the town's 20-year, comprehensive plan Tuesday with Dean Rundell, from Rundell, Ernstberger & Associates, Muncie, at North Manchester Public Library.

"The comprehensive plan is a physical manifestation of whatever our hopes and plans are for the community. The perception you have about the community is very important," said Rundell, who led the discussion.

Local officials "have taken the initiative to bring this up to date," he said. The completed plan is not law, but it could lead to updated ordinances as a legislative means of carrying out the plan.

"Opinions might be different," said Rundell, starting the discussion. "We are trying to develop an overall perspective."

Rundell asked for North Manchester's strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.

Attendees identified strengths as: schools' "sound facility package," the park system, Manchester College and college community, the Victorian architecture in town, old and well-kept homes and the public library, among others.

Members named weaknesses as: the lack of jobs "to attract young couples," lack of industry in North Manchester, workers commuting outside of North Manchester for jobs and large tax-free retirement communities.

Rundell shared information from building commission year-end reports about what he called a "significant continual decrease."

Only two new home permits were filed in 2000, while 17 permits were filed in 1999. Last year's numbers were not available.

North Manchester's retirement communities and Manchester College are "absorbing" residential property, said Bill Meinert, North Manchester. He moved from Florida when his first-grader's elementary school had students going through metal detectors.

"We're slowly stepping down to ... a commuter community," said Meinert.

With little residential property available, "we're all fighting for the few morsels that are available," he said.

Attendees listed the advertising of North Manchester's tourism and shopping environment as opportunities to build the town.

"The ideal isn't always feasible," said one woman. "We should focus on what we have instead of dreaming."

Meinert said advertising North Manchester's industrial park would be an opportunity.

"That has been a complaint here for - how long have I been here? Nine years?" said Meinert turning to Don Rinearson, town council president, for the answer.

"How do you allow for growth without threatening?" said Rundell. He said residents would differ on where growth begins to threaten the community.

Threats were named as: the chance to lose the town's historical buildings and no new business or industry.

Remembering the 1980 comprehensive plan, one woman said the way to wreck the downtown area is to have another downtown on the outskirts of town.

"Its a quandary," said Rundell.

Rundell was pleased with the attendance numbers, saying it was "going to be a good start" to forming the comprehensive plan.

No one attended the last public forum he held concerning the park and recreation department's five-year plan. Indiana and Purdue universities were playing basketball on television, Rundell said.

The next public meeting will be in early February. Information will be brought to the residents for their reaction, said Rundell. [[In-content Ad]]