George lovers to discuss town's economic development

Leavenworth tourist town documentary to screen at meeting

GEORGE — The residents of this small town located alongside Interstate 90 will soon turn their eyes toward the future.

Members of the city's Growth Management Steering Committee will host "I Love George" Night at the George Community Hall Monday.

Chair Debby Kooy explained that the steering committee is required to have public input for its comprehensive plan, "so we thought we'd make a fun evening out of it, instead of a dull drudgery meeting six people show up to. We thought we'd make it kind of interesting and fun."

The group intends to survey attendees regarding what area residents think is important to the city in terms of infrastructure, parks and recreational developments, housing needs and public safety.

"We would just like to see what the general population is thinking in terms of what they hope the town would become if it does have the chance to develop, what they think is important," Kooy said. "(That will) help the steering committee set some priorities."

The documentary "Miracle Town," the story of Leavenworth's development as a Bavarian theme town will be shown. In the past, Kooy has been vocal about her desire to see George become an American history-themed tourist attraction town, and she said she has always found Leavenworth "interesting and inspiring."

When several George residents went to speak with the mayor of Leavenworth, Kooy asked him to outline how the idea for the Bavarian theme town got started, and asked at what point a developer became involved. The mayor, Kooy said, shook his head and replied, "Never."

"The business owners just got together, decided a Bavarian theme was right for the town," and decided to go for it, Kooy said. "I thought that was really interesting. Rather than sitting back, hoping, wishing and waiting for a well-funded developer, they just did it."

The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Feb. 13 in George Community Hall, at 403 W. Montmorency Blvd., with "Miracle Town" being shown on a large screen. A presentation of remodeling plans for George Community Hall will follow, along with a question and answer session and time to fill out the survey. Spanish translation will be available, and all are welcome.

"I'd be happy with 25, but thrilled with 75," Kooy said when asked how many attendees she expected. "I would hope that as many people as can come would make the effort to come out."