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AmeriCorps brings help to small cities By Tony Boom TALENT � Young people learn if they�d like to pursue careers in planning, and the city�s lone planner gets help with tasks that might not otherwise happen, thanks to an AmeriCorps program now in its third year with the city. Meghan MacKenzie, 24, has worked since October on Talent�s application to become a Tree City USA and on development of a Wagner Creek greenway. She�ll also develop a parks master plan and update the energy portion of the city�s comprehensive plan. MacKenzie comes to Talent through the Resource Assistance for Rural Economies program operated by the University of Oregon. She gains a $4,700 educational voucher, a stipend, health coverage and practical experience for a year of service as an AmeriCorps volunteer. "Without enrolling in college, I want to find out if planning works for me. This is a perfect opportunity to see how education is involved in policy and planning," said MacKenzie, who is also considering an environmental education career. MacKenzie�s Tree City project will move forward next week. The Parks Commission will review her application and make a recommendation to the City Council on establishment of a tree committee. Tree City USA designation is granted by the National Arbor Day Foundation. It brings publicity and tourists to towns, said MacKenzie. Citizens have said it would help set a tone for the city. A Wagner Creek greenway has been in the city�s comprehensive plan for 20 years, but the idea has only moved forward since the AmeriCorps program started, according to City Planner Nancy Kincaid. In contrast to the developed Bear Creek Greenway, a mix of paths, outdoor class sites and open space may comprise the Wagner Creek greenway. Natural features and private property may dictate these choices. A draft Natural Resources Inventory for Wagner and Bear creeks, prepared in conjunction with the National Parks Service, will be submitted to a consultant in the near future. Public meetings on the greenways in Talent may come as early as January. "I�m learning about meeting facilitation," said MacKenzie. "That�s where I see my role, being a facilitator, setting up committees and subcommittees (for the greenway)." MacKenzie also will seek private grants for widening or reconstruction of bridges over Wagner Creek on Rapp Road and West Valley View Road to allow pedestrian and vehicle traffic at the same time. MacKenzie and her cohorts in 29 other Oregon cities had a weeklong introduction to grant writing, conflict resolution, project management, budgets and other planning tasks in Eugene in early October. Her father�s service as mayor and city councilman in Newton, Conn., sparked MacKenzie�s interest in civic operations. Like Talent, Newton had undeveloped farmland and a small downtown. MacKenzie�s inquiries about the University of Oregon�s Planning, Public Policy and Management graduate program led to her current position. Last year she served in Southern Oregon University�s REAL Corp AmeriCorps program. Talent�s population has grown from 3,274 in 1990 to 5,065 in 1999, the latest year for which figures are available. Growth from 1987 to 1997 averaged 6.2 percent per year. "Basically I designed the (position) so we could do environmental and recreation work we couldn�t otherwise budget from city resources," said Kincaid. Talent pays $15,000 for the program. Along with the volunteer, the city also receives a computer work station. "I provide them with projects which give them a professional level of planning," said Kincaid. "They are eased into planning so they have real-world experience working with the public." Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.