New Bedford 2020 - VHB.com

A City Master Plan New Bedford 2020ACivic EngagementThe City, its Planning Office, and the New Bedford 2020 Steering Committee have conducted themaster planning process as an inclusive community planning effort, believing that a community’sgreatest resources are its local residents, where every citizen is viewed as a stakeholder and encouragedto participate.The civic engagement process employed for New Bedford 2020 has generated a creative energy and acooperative environment in the city that not only helped to create a better-informed and enlightenedcommunity, but better realized goals and objectives. The civic engagement received during the publicprocess indicates a valued, active, and involved citizenry that will help sustain the vitality andsuccessful future of New Bedford.New Bedford 2020 Steering CommitteeThe Steering Committee was appointed by Mayor Scott W. Lang during the beginning of 2009 whenthe master planning effort was established. The Committee is a dynamic, well-balanced, informedgroup tasked with guiding the visioning process and overall direction of the New Bedford 2020 effort.The following individuals served on the Steering Committee:> George Smith, Co-Chair> Jennifer White Smith, Co-Chair> Kathy Dehner, City Councilor Ward 3> Brian Gomes, City Councilor At-Large> Dagny Ashley> Glenn Bachman> Jan Baptist> Yolanda Dennis> Yvonne Drayton> Kathryn Duff> Ines Goncalves-Drolet> Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez> Roger Hart> Paul Leger> Lisa Lemieux> Matthew Morrissey> Boyd Rourke> Ronald Teachman> John Vasconcellos> Reverend Richard WilsonThe New Bedford 2020 Steering Committee members were chosen based upon their expertise andknowledge of various aspects of city life including education, economic development, youth,immigration, environment, public safety, historic preservation, and the creative sector.Since the Steering Committee’s inception, they have worked closely with City officials and the Officeof the Mayor. The Planning Office has managed the New Bedford 2020 process, coordinated with theconsultants drafting the plan, and facilitated the civic engagement effort, of which the SteeringCommittee has also assisted. A brief description of the Project Team is provided hereafter.Appendix A: Civic EngagementA-1