Buchanan sets goals

BUCHANAN — The Buchanan City Commission has established its goals for 2012-2013.

After a planning session earlier this month, the commissioners Monday unanimously approved their list of priorities in the areas of administrative services, public safety, recreation, economic and community development and public services.

City Manager Bill Marx called the list of goals “pretty aggressive.”

Commissioner Joe Scanlon agreed but said they are “all achievable.”

“I’m proud of these goals,” he said. “We have a lot going on this year.”

In the area of public safety, the main goal is to look into adding security webcams at city parks, the cemetery, the historic district and the Common.

Among the public services goals are supplying water to the Rynearson Apartment area, resurfacing Front Street, replacing water tanks at the wastewater treatment plant and collaborating with other municipalities about sharing equipment.

In the area of economic and community development, the city hopes to promote the sale of abandoned homes by a holding a real estate expo, plant Redbud trees on all streets coming into the city and increase code enforcement efforts relating to property maintenance to improve the appearance of the city.

To improve recreation and cultural opportunities in the city, commissioners plan to use Hubbard Park as a dog park, increase the number of events at the Common and install an ice skating rink at the Common.

Commissioners aim to work toward establishing a Buchanan medical facility in cooperation with Lakeland Regional Health Care in 2012.

For a full list of the city’s priorities this year, visit the city’s website at www.cityofbuchanan.com.

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