This is the question the people of Straide are asking themselves. Straide is currently involved in the Community Futures Programme to create a five-year Community Development Plan for the area.
A most important part of the programme is getting everybody’s ideas of what can make Straide an even better place to live. A simple survey will be delivered to every household in Straide on Thursday, March 21 and collected a few days later.
Members of the Straide Community Futures Steering Committee commented that the survey is a great way to bring everybody’s ideas together. “Straide is a beautiful place, with a great community spirit, but as a community we can improve aspects of life here. Everyone is invited to think about life in Straide and asked to complete the survey on March 21.”
The questions asked are about what you like and what you don’t like about Straide, what would make Straide a better place, and what you think are the top priorities for the area.
Chairperson Derek Murphy explained: “Answers to the survey can be short or very detailed and can cover one, a few or lots of topics. It is good to try to include everything, even those suggestions that may take years to happen as well as those that could happen quickly and easily. It is hoped that there will be a broad range of ideas, everybody needs to make sure all their ideas are included and not think others will include them, as they may not.”
The organisers stress that the development plan will only be as good as the ideas suggested, and encourage all to get involved. They give assurances that the survey is totally confidential. The completed questionnaires will only be seen by two Mayo Community Forum staff. The results will be compiled anonymously and displayed at a community day towards the end of June.
The Community Futures Programme is an initiative of Mayo Community Forum, established by the County Development Board. The Straide Steering Committee is made up of representatives from the voluntary groups active in Straide. The plan is being put together over six months.
