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> Discussion Forum > Kick-Off Event Questions > 3/24 Kickoff: What if anything did you learn?
3/24 Kickoff: What if anything did you learn?| Author | | kip
3/25/2009
10:05:32 AM | | chriscasey
3/25/2009
12:50:21 PM | I learned that if people are engaged, they will share their opinions and ideas. I learned that everyone had something valuable to add.
| barbaragarvinkester
3/25/2009
3:17:54 PM | I learned about some of the great work that is already underway to bring green technology, better education programs, and improved transportation to the City. | ssweeney
3/26/2009
6:21:07 PM | I learned that many residents have a genuine desire to make a diverse population all feel that they "belong". However, today, it is very hard for "new comers" to make friends and singles of all ages say that they are dissatisfied with the Stamford "singles scene". How do we change this?
| ckreeder
3/27/2009
11:33:11 AM | Students in the Stamford school system are not required to study a second language!
How can we expect to close cultural and development gaps without establishing a fundamental understanding of other cultures and languages. How can we expect our young people, and the city itself, to survive in a "global" economy if we don't foster inter-cultural learning? | kscott
3/29/2009
9:28:59 PM | The following is a list of discrete, somewhat mutually exclusive things to do, each of which will contribute to making the city a better place to be. The fact that they are not dependent on one another, but together are interconnected and supportive of one another, is their advantage.
Does Stamford welcome its visitors and embrace its residence to the highest level? Do Stamford residents and the greater region perceive Stamford as the safest CT city with a population of over 100,000 (as CT data supports)? Are the streets well-lit, and are the signs clear, attractive and instructive? Are there public raingardens or art dispersed openly around town? Are unused sidewalks converted to running tracks for neighboring school s students or shared community/ school parks like SPARK? Is vacant land used as tree nurseries to grow future plantings for the city like street trees, gardens, or shaded parks? Are programs like Adopt-A-Block organized for neighborhood clean-ups? Are shops windows clear as not to eliminate the sense of a true window s openness by being blocked with inventory or signage? Is new construction not limited to old design guidelines promoting a view to the past in lieu of one toward the future? Are there entirely car-free streets or lanes to promote walking or bike riding? Are bike paths named and maintained year round equal to streets to promote a green wave similar to Copenhagen where cycling is more the norm than driving? Are there incentives for investors and builders to incorporate higher upfront costs for sustainable design/ systems in order to reap the long term financial and ecological benefits? Are community open houses staged to invite residents to engage in their future by transforming vacant stores temporarily into exhibitions of planning processes? Are codes enforced to ensure housing owners, renters and businesses cooperate and take pride in their environment? Does Stamford take full advantage of its distinctive and admirable location in relation to I-95, NYC and Boston, and the water s edge? Has the CT horticulture society (city plantings), University of CT (business school), CT Power and Energy Society (sustainability aspects), CT Business Network (commercial opportunities) and others been incited to be included in a revitalization effort that would be mutually beneficial?
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