Longtime resident and assembly member Tresham Gregg said the topic of Saturday’s community dialogue should resonate with residents.
“The Haines Economy: Where Are We at Risk? Where Are Opportunities?” begins 7 p.m. at the Chilkat Center.
“The economy is a pressing issue as budget cuts come down. Haines has been through booms and busts and solutions always seem to be coming from somewhere else. There’s no reason they can’t come from us; we’re the ones who are going to benefit from the enhancement,” Gregg said this week.
The public forum is an outgrowth of a talking session Gregg and others launched in January, where participants emphasized the need for open-ended community discussions outside of assembly meetings.
Gregg said he’s hoping to break down the discussion into topics for smaller group discussions and presentations, ending with a plan of action, even if the plan is just to talk more about different opportunities.
The discussion could lead to ideas to take to the borough or Haines Chamber of Commerce, he said. “We’re hoping people speak their minds about their ideas and their concerns.”
Gregg is hoping the talks become a monthly routine. “Why not give ourselves the opportunity to get to know each other, if nothing else? Maybe we have some power, just as members of the public.”