A report from the Texas Community Futures Forum

By Daniel Muñoa

Webb County recently sponsored the Texas Community Futures Forum. The forum had been assembled previously, in spring 1999. Once again, the emphasis was for those in attendance to discuss issues and concerns with their community.

The audience of about 60 was divided into five groups to brainstorm on the concept, "What are the critical issues facing people in our community over the next five years?" Richard Perez was acting facilitator for our group. He explained our goal as he handed out blank sheets of paper and a marker to each of us. I addressed water quality and availability issues as well as the need for environmental conservation. Other issues listed included health care, traffic flow, housing costs, drug abuse, and domestic violence.

When the goups reconvened, all guests voted on the combined top five issues. These were: 1) water quality and quantity issues; 2) rural health; 3) drug abuse/prevention; 4) youth programs; and 5) adult education.

The issues and concerns were similar to those addressed at the last forum, which were: 1) urban development (street, paving, trash collection, and transportation); 2) natural resource conservation and protection; 3) creating recreation centers; 4) water quantity and quality for rural and urban areas; and 5) better education for children and adults.

We received a draft report listing positive responses and outcomes for the 1999 issues. After reviewing the six-page document, it seems that there's been more talk being done than anything else to address the issues. Some progress has been made, but there is still so much more that needs to be done. It's good to see that some people are willing to step forward and speak about problems that our community faces. One woman in my group said she wanted to rank "reducing housing costs" higher than river protection because it would have a more positive direct effect on the community. I responded that the reason real estate is expensive in Laredo is because the majority of the land is owned by a very small number of people. Environmental conservation is of the utmost importance because if we don't stop and fight to save the little bits of earth that are untouched and educate our fellow brothers and sisters on good, environmental stewardship, there will soon come a day when there will be nothing left to lose.