Open forum highlights desire for community connection in Arthur

ARTHUR – Promoting community connection is essential to "breathing some life" into downtown Arthur. 

Or at least that was one of the biggest takeaways for organizer Melissa Kooiman during an open forum discussion last night called "the friends of Downtown Arthur" which was created for all Arthur business owners and local organizations to discuss community enhancements with a special focus on the downtown core. 

Attracting over 40 people to the Imagination Space, the event was funded by Arthur manufacturing company Copernicus Educational Products, who hired Kooiman to work alongside the Arthur BIA and Chamber of Commerce to execute supportive initiatives and connect more members of the community.  

"I just wanted to extend my reach to anybody and everyone who considers them a friend to this community and that wants to support it," said Kooiman. "As much as challenges are part of business, I really want to try and keep the tone positive and about what we could do together, even if it's small." 

One of the biggest points that jumped out to Kooiman during the event is the gap some folks feel exists when it comes to connecting people and ideas in the community. 

Using her relentless advertising on email, Facebook and Instagram leading up to the event as an example, Kooiman said she suspects she probably still missed a lot of people without meaning to and understands how it can be difficult to try and get everybody in one spot. 

"I think what's been lacking...is that collaboration piece and I don't think it's because there isn't a willingness to collaborate," said Kooiman. "For some reason, there's a shared feeling that getting volunteers or folks involved in initiatives is really difficult. But meanwhile...there are tons of people saying they want to be involved."

Rather than focus on specific topics, Kooiman said there were also a lot of conversations about Arthur's identity and how to shape events or initiatives that feel cohesive with what Arthur specifically has to offer. 

"I think the biggest thing happening in terms of action right now was really about connecting people. And feeling maybe a little less like an island," said Kooiman. "I'm not reinventing the wheel here." 

Going forward, Kooiman will sit down with the BIA, Chamber of Commerce and Copernicus to discuss what feels feasible and actionable for Kooiman to implement. 

She will also be creating a report using survey responses to help make future decision-making processes informed by the community's voice and plans to host another forum that will be open to everyone- not just business owners. 

"It'd also be a great idea to host another open forum to keep the conversation going and for folks to feel like it doesn't end there," said Kooiman. "(I don't want them to feel) like you said your idea once and then that's it, that's all I need to hear from you...this was just a natural starting point but it's not the ending point."

Isabel Buckmaster is the Local Journalism Initiative reporter for GuelphToday. LJI is a federally-funded program.