Leaders And Residents Discuss Ways To Improve Community During Public Forum

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- Leaders in Columbus and Lowndes County sat down with concerned residents to discuss ways to improve the community during a forum Monday night put on by the Lowndes Community Foundation.

Everyone was paired off into six different groups to talk about issues they believe are plaguing the community.

Some of the key concerns residents talked about were crime, lack of recreational facilities, and improved education.

Now, organizers said their goal is to work on resolving these issues to help get things moving in the right direction.

“To me one of the most important thing about just coming together and having a conversation it’s just that, it’s the conversation,” said Matt Bouge, Co-Chairman of the Lowndes Community Foundation. “We’re having a dialogue and we’re being real with each other, we’re being open with each other, and we’re just talking about those things that are passionate to us. One of the things that I’ve said numerous times is that it’s just as important to hear the tone of what people are saying as it is to hear the words that people are saying.”

This marks the first time that the Lowndes Community Foundation has held a public meeting.

However, after the feedback they received, members are planning to have another one in the future.