November 2, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Council Hears From Farm Progress, Decatur Public Schools Reps
DECATUR - Community organizations took center stage at tonight’s Decatur City Council meeting as the council heard presentations from representatives of the biannual Farm Progress Show and Decatur Public School District 61.
Matt Jungman, Farm Progress National Events Manager, talked about the success of this year’s show, expressing hope that the numbers from 2009 will become “the new norm.” He said that he is optimistic that this is the case because the 2009 show was the first that was not threatened by major weather related problems – the 2005 show coincided with Hurricane Katrina and the 2007 show happened during what was a “brutally hot” heat wave.
Representatives said that the 2009 show drew visitors from 58 countries and had an overall economic impact of about $10.39 million for the community.
In other business the school district continued its listening tour of the community, making a presentation about ongoing efforts to study and select an option for improving district educational facilities. The group noted that educational environment is a critical part of learning and stated that what the community ultimately decides to do with district high schools and the Decatur Area Technical Academy represent a “Decision for Decatur.”
Hundreds of community members have been studying the issue and providing input over the last several months. The District’s video detailing the issue can be seen on the district’s web site at www.dps61.org or on the City of Decatur Facebook page by signing in and searching for City of Decatur.
For more information contact Billy Tyus at 424-2753.