All posts in the topic Does Winona Lack Talent? (Short link)
Summary
- There are 6 posts — by 5 authors — in this topic.
- Latest post made by Steve Kranz at Jun 30 23:00 UTC
My personal opinion is that Winona is NOT lacking in talent. We have access to
some of the brightest people in the world through our Universities and
Technical College. If not at the College itself, then through their contacts.
We have had several groups go through Blandin Foundation Community Development
training, just to name a few reasons we have talented people in the area.
When one looks at the multiple businesses in this community that have a
successful international presence we have to be in awe of the business accumen
there is available.
Where Winona has it's problems, again in my opinion, is pulling it all
together. There are two many folks "satisfied with the way it has always
been". There are a lot of "NIMBY" attitudes that keep us from going forward
and looking forward to what is possible.
Rochester, for example, says we have a problem or here is an idea and everyone
asks "how can we make it work". Some one in Winona has an idea or sees a
problem and immediately it is a negative response. "It won't work here", "we
don't need that", "what we have was good enough for my parents so it's good
enough for my kids" are some of the typical responses.
No Paul, we don't lack talent. We lack strong enough leadership to move people
forward instead of staying stuck in the past. We aren't proactive, we react
instead.
Joliene Olson
I really had no intention of wading in on this one, but as Joliene has
picked up the ball and run with it I thought I would add my two cents worth.
I am a member of this committee...but that is the only possible sign from
the group's makeup that Winona might not have enough talent.
I asked the City Manager seven months ago if it was approriate to appoint
non-city residents to this group. He told me that it was a mayoral adisory
committee...created by him alone and not by council action. As such,
according to Eric, Jerry is free to appoint anyone from anywhere that he
thinks will have the expertise to help the effort succeed. I know he told
me he was trying to obtain input from a variety of perspectives and skill
sets (my forte being heritage preservation...others came from fields such as
landscape architecture, river ecology and the fine arts, among others).
The reason I asked Eric about the mayor's selections back in December was
that I knew someone would notice the presence of nonresidents on the
committee and question it. Paul does not disappoint. That is no surprise
as Paul, to the best of my knowledge, has never met a government agency or
commission (or government for that matter) of which he approves. Having
said that Paul is a terrific guy...he is simply tremendously misguided and
challenged politically and philosophically :-) He also sponsors the 7:00
am news so I should shut up now! LOL
Let's talk about the bridge some more...I'm less likely to get into trouble
FYI...The Downtown Revitalization Committee will, as I understand it, hear
brief final oral reports from our group and the Wilkie Group and formally
recieve the two sets of written recommendations on July 15 at 7:30am in
Council Chambers. The DRC will present their recommendation to the council
on August 4. The DRC can, again as I understand it, do whatever they want
with both reports...including throwing both out. When a hired landscape
architect (which I think is already a fait accompli) comes on the scene in
this process and who they work with (DRC?)I don't know.
Bob Sebo
As mentioned before, the question of talent in Winona starts at the top with
the leadership of the town.
Now there is talent... Talent to screw things up and chase away the tourist
dollar.
Miller and his lackeys are doing whatever they can to chase away the best
form of economic stimulation this town has... Tourism....
Their lack of leadership in all areas is what keeps the talent this town
has, hidden.
Their lack foresight, ability to keep to their word and ability to develop a
real plan of action, will keep great people from getting involved in
anything this town does.
Locals will take their talent and their ideas to other towns, events and
places where they are appreciated. Leaving their money elsewhere.
This also drives people away from here. Planning an event? a trip? Skip
Winona and go to ____ Fill in the blank _____, where tourists are wanted
and appreciated.
Winona has a lot of talented people who want to get involved. Who want to
bring new ideas and new events to Winona... But nobody in their right mind
will do it if the leadership of the community (Mayor and city hall) can not
be trusted to support and back them up 100%
Add to that the people who follow blindly, the elected leaders and bury
their heads in the sand right along with the leadership.... Wanting to live
on past glories and past memories... Not wanting to rock the boat or live in
the present.
Since there were no specific comments in Paul posting I thought that Paul was
just throwing out a topic for discussion. I apologize if he was referring to
the selection of specific committees and non-resident members. I was referring
to talent in general in the Winona Area!
I agree with Bob that we have several new venues that have been added to the
activities in our area recently and they are fine additions. I think Linda is
correct however that we should broaden our options and include some activities
that appeal to different types of people. Much of what we have is
theater/music etc and not everyone is interested in that. It takes hard work
to organize these events however and just wishing won't make it happen.
Joliene Olson
Greetings Everyone,
Just a reminder that all posts must be signed with your full actual name.
Please make sure to do that with each message you send.
And a second, friendly, reminder that while no one has said anything that
breaks the rules - just remember that it is helpful to keep the discussion
focused on issues and avoid general "critiques" of individuals. The
discussion is much more productive that way and it encourages maximum
participation by everyone.
Thanks,
Steve Kranz,
List Manager.