For Our City-Maricopa calls for community leaders to get involved

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CARE, Inc. held its second meeting Tuesday to solidify the action plan for the citywide initiative called For Our City-Maricopa.

Residents from the business, government, volunteer and faith-based sectors of the community met to discuss some of the city’s needs and how to respond to them in a collaborative, cohesive manner

The mission of For Our City-Maricopa is built on the following question: What can we do together than we cannot do separately?

A collaborative effort will first address identifiable needs in the community. “I hear about those needs every day,” said Mayor Anthony Smith.

“It is our intention to support existing programs in the city,” said For Our City director Ernest Whitehead. “We want to create a neutral ground for people to express themselves freely because this is not political, not faith-based. We want to create a level field for leaders to come together for the benefit of the city.”

Smith noted that the growth in Maricopa is not over. “We have issues coming, unmet needs as a function of a larger city with continuing challenges. We have to develop the fabric that binds this community together.”

Some of the issues mentioned by the various community leaders in attendance were a need for increased communication from leadership, collaboration in terms of providing services like food, clothing and shelter for those in need, a greater sense of unity and community, more activities for youth and support for local schools.

“We need to make sure we include everyone in the community,” said Inez Ramirez.

Republican Club treasurer Jerry Hunt shared his experiences with a Sedona initiative to aid the homeless in that city, which provided services that included education, occupational support, housing, transportation and legal assistance.

For Our City-Maricopa will meet for breakfast on Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 7 a.m. The site has yet to be determined. All community members interested in being a part of this initiative should contact Whitehead at [email protected] or by phone at 520-705-9100.

“I love this town; I love the people of this town,” said First Baptist pastor Jim Johnson. “I want it to be a community that’s worth what the community wants it to be.”

Photo by Joyce Hollis