Community Visioning

Elysburg is a census designated area -- that means as local residents we do not have too much power. Our Township Supervisors are our most local leaders, and then our Northumberland County officials. Northumberland County has a comprehensive plan, but it has not been updated since 1995.

While the Northumberland County plan provides general guidelines for our Township Supervisors, there is no localized common vision for how to plan for the future. Development happens piecemeal through Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances, and Zoning Ordinances.

We can ask for a comprehensive plan for Ralpho Township to strengthen community asset management and marketing, but where will the funding come from? Our township supervisors can invest the power in our planning commission to do a comprehensive plan, but do they have the expertise? There are some supports though Penn State and state programs. Penn State Extension has continuing education programs for community development. We can encourage our local leaders to take advantage of these programs. They do cost money, however, so the supervisors will have to allocate the money to these educational opportunities, or they will have to be otherwise funded.

Another option is developing a Community Visioning Program with the guides from Penn State Extension services. This would require commitment from several local stakeholders including clubs, business leaders, citizens and local officials to go through a process of identifying local history, assets, challenges, and possible paths for the future. In the end the process would only be a guiding document, with implementation up to further commitment, collaboration and work.

Join us the last Tuesday of every month from 4-6pm at the Ralpho Township Library to discuss these issues.