Good communities are highly complex. Residents may appreciate general qualities, but don’t often reflect on the details that make a town - or the plan that should serve it - work. Then there’s the difficulty of describing such things, especially when they’re inter-related.

That’s where snapshots can help. Here’s an exercise we’ll offer at the next community workshop, but will also offer here - a chance to photograph Southern Pines’ best features:

Step 1: Pick up a free, disposable camera and worksheet at the LRP Drop-In Center, or download and print out the worksheet below and use your own camera.
Step 2: Follow the instructions and take snapshots of your favorite Southern Pines features, recording captions for each image.
Step 3: Return your camera or images to the Drop-In Center, and we’ll take care of the rest.

We’ll post the images and captions here, and display them at future workshops, community gatherings and at the Drop-In Center, too. Feeling really creative? Consider a short movie. All images will be included as attachments with the plan, best shots may even be included as plan illustrations.

What makes Southern Pines a great place to live? Tell the story in pictures!

Camera exercise

At the recent Long-Range Plan Vision Workshop, approximately 110 residents gathered around paper-covered tables to discuss and jot down their ideas, thoughts and hopes for Southern Pines’ future. Here’s a file containing a full transcription of all that was written, categorized by topic and table - 18 pages worth!

Download and read what your friends, neighbors and fellow residents are thinking about Southern Pines future. Have comments of your own? We’re still taking input, and have uploaded an on-line version of the same exercise. All will help shape the plan’s vision - and ultimately, the plan policies Southern Pines will adopt!

Vision Workshop comments (308 Kb, Acrobat® file)

The November 13 Vision Workshop asked residents to brainstorm about Southern Pines’ future - on a wide range of topics including parks, transportation, housing and education. Participants wrote their thoughts down on table-sized worksheets, for transcription aiding development of the “vision” section of the future long-range plan.

Due to time limitations, not everyone was able to comment on the full list of topics. Some residents couldn’t attend that night. Some may have additional thoughts to add on key topics, and want them included in the discussion.

Here’s a handout-sized version of the same Vision Workshop exercise, with a number of ways to submit your thoughts. Download the file below, then print it out and fill it in by hand, and mail or FAX it to us at the number listed. Or, you can type in the comments fields using your computer, and either print it out and send it in, or click to e-mail the completed form to us. Our downtown Drop-in Center is an option, too, for copies of the form or for submitting printed copies.

In any case, we’ll include all thoughts and ideas along with those received at the Workshop. Keep in mind, this is a vision exercise, so feel free to dream about how Southern Pines ought to improve - or retain - its key services and qualities.

Vision worksheet (184 Kb, Acrobat® form)

Here’s a copy of a letter submitted to Studio Cascade on Friday, November 14 from resident Katherine McLeod, relating her thoughts on Southern Pines qualities and its future. (Note: This letter was copied to the Southern Pines Pilot, and published in its entirety on Wednesday, November 19.)

McLeod Letter (929 Kb, Acrobat® file)