Public is involved in Elko and New Market planning process
Jim Friedges, mayor of New Market, said that despite rapid growth “this is still a pretty friendly community.”
Scott County and the cities of Elko and New Market created opportunities for public input during each stage of the comprehensive planning process. Dozens of meetings were held.
“I was very impressed with the way people in our communities sat down together to look at the whole area and figure out what’s the best thing to do for people in the future, rather than clinging to a status quo mentality,” said Bob Vogel, a longtime banker in New Market and member of the Scott County Board.
A large public information campaign was also conducted in preparation for the merger vote, which was approved by more than 80 percent of voters in both cities, according to Tom Terry, New Market city administrator.
The merger process is being overseen by Terry and the two city councils, which are meeting jointly through the end of the year. “I’m continually surprised by the similarities between the communities,” Terry said. “Everyday it becomes more apparent that there will be real benefits to the merger.”