3 things you ABSOLUTELY need in your hometown?
Imagine a new town like Laurent or a new town that’s relatively empty, and assume that there are some homes already there, a community hall, a church, maybe a gas station and convenience store. Water, sewer, high-speed (DSL), roads are all included.
But that’s it. This would be the condition of Laurent in the first couple of years. What are 3 things you GOT TO HAVE in this town before you and your family will move in?
Remember, this town WILL grow. This town WILL have more and more services and businesses added over the time, but what are 3 things in this town you gotta have for yourself and your family in the first 1-3 years?
Also assume that within 20-35 minute drive, there’s 24-hour Wal-Mart, big local food store, Walgreens, Ruby Tuesday’s, hotels & motels, large mall, Menards, and so on.
Please respond in our comments section below. If you can, tell us a little about yourself (single or married? age? Kids or no? Senior Citizen? Soon to retire?)
Thanks!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:09 am
As a "single" guy, I’d like to have the followings in Laurent: 1) A gym so I can work out to continue being in the shape in Laurent without driving to Sioux Falls or Salem.2) A grocery store to buy healthy foods.3) A local sport/grill bar to meet new people especially ladies and to watch football/baseball/basketball games.
September 15th, 2006 at 6:17 am
A Trader Joe’s or a place where it’s possible to buy organic, fresh, high-quality food would be a must. A farmer’s market would be heaven.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:44 am
Whole Foods (grocery store)!
September 15th, 2006 at 12:18 pm
:-) Tell us a little about yourself. Got kids? Young or soon retiring?Whole Foods/Trader Joe’s — I wholeheartedly agree, however, they both typically target metropolitan areas of 300,000 people or more.From one site, it would be a 20 minute drive to a local 24 hour food store that stocks FRESH organic beef, chicken, buffalo meat, turkey and others. Organic milk, kefir, etc.It’s not anywhere near Whole Foods or Trader Joe’s level. I still think we can pull off having a locally owned "gourmet" grocery store… not large, but functional and nice.What else?
September 15th, 2006 at 1:07 pm
1. An emergency service that provides FULL communication access (ASL users)This includes fire, police, Emergency Medical Service, Civil Defense etc.)2. A Governed service (building permits, parks, recreation, Mayor’s office that are staffed with proficient ASL users.3. OK I’ll take Trader Joe’s, tooMarried with no kids and old enough to know better.
September 15th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
1. a public school is absolutely a must. (that’d be a dream come true when all qualified teachers sign FLUENTLY!!!)2. a municipal hall (city hall)3. a firehouse equipped with a modest clinicImagine everyone would be signing!!! yay!
September 15th, 2006 at 3:54 pm
As a divorced baby boomer fashion-conscious gal I would love to have:1. Defintely Trader Joe’s 2. Ritzy clothing boutique for women (Walmart sucks)3. Deaf hairdressers/barbers for hair conscious folks4. A beautiful park with lots of trees and a duck pond.5. A clubhouse with swimming pool and tennis court
September 15th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
will retirements and Senior ages I like to see for better future for Laurents:1. bautiful park with swimming pool, park, bike and walking trail to sight seeing, Pininc, a lots of trees, duck pondsA2. Fitness Center and weight loss clinic3. healthy foods restraunts4.A Grocery stores to buy healthy foods5. 24 hours Walmarts, Targets, Large Malls, Walgreens , Ruby’s Tuesday, Applesbee’s, movie theather and drama theathere, Motels and Hotels , campground places, so on in Laurent6. Walking district to closer stores, shopping, malls, drugs stores, medical places, hospitals instead driving long way to save gas.7. Senior Housings and retirement places with reasonable price and low prices and Low income.8. information CenterA Farmer Market is great!!!10. aparments for low incomemany more!!!!
September 15th, 2006 at 4:49 pm
Good responses so far! Can y’all please limit your list to only TOP 3 things — what are the absolute top things you GOT TO have in your "backyard"/town, considering the fact you can drive 20 minutes to get what you need for almost everything. As we progress over time — 1, 2, 3 years — we will see more and more added.Yes, assume that the town has volunteer fire department, post office, small library and "city hall".
September 15th, 2006 at 6:15 pm
As a working female also married and raising kid(s):*A 18-hour (or plus) pharmacy store with a registered pharmacist on duty.*A bookstore catering to ALL ages and ALL educational types.*A social center with different-sized conference rooms and especially a stage that can host all types of events for crowds up to 500. Kiddie plays, panels, DPHH, and so forth.
September 15th, 2006 at 8:50 pm
1. A host of good, local, non-chain restaurants. I’m talking about a haven of epicurian delights. Spare me Ruby Tuesdays. Give me good eats.2. A full service gym with free-weights, a pool, and other activities.3. A community center which offers sports, classes, and social events.
September 16th, 2006 at 2:54 pm
Single 40’s no kids1) community center - workshops,presentations, events & social gathering (alternative place for club)2) Outdoor Center (Park) - festivals, performances, disc golf,trails,pond etc3) Gym - a long list to name
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September 16th, 2006 at 7:04 pm
hardware store is a must in our towngas station with car wash rei where we can buy fishing rods and lures peahps water skiing outfits etc from deaf workers and snow skiing trners
September 18th, 2006 at 2:50 pm
1) A public school for sure. If the entire town can sign, who cares if the students are hearing or deaf, definately a project I’d like to be involved in.2) Park and fairgrounds. A unique place where Signers could go to events and celebrate Laurent, SD is an absolute must, we can apprecicate the hard work over the years with festivals, and parks provide a social outlet for kids to play while parents can talk.3) Welcome center. A place where visitors can come and learn about Laurent, SD. It’d provide assistance to non-signers (abc cards, translators possibly) as well as cater to the signers who come to visit.those are immediate.. in the future, a hotel or motel might be needed for people who want to visit from out of town.Eric Eyer, Married student of Math Teacher’s degree. No Kids.
September 18th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
1. RV Campground with all amenities (for construction workers and visitors)2. Cafe with adjoining bar.3. GEM car rental (Like Flexcar) for the planned eCommunity
September 18th, 2006 at 6:04 pm
1) School. Will be having a baby in April and would like for the baby to be exposed to signing as the baby grows up.2) Perhaps non-chain restaurants emphasizing home based cooking.3) Good clothing store. Walmart doesn’t always have good quality clothing..they wear out after a while.
September 18th, 2006 at 6:54 pm
We are married with 2 boys and another boy on the way
what we would we like to see in our ‘future’ community:A) School (elementary) is a must, both of our boys will be in school, rather have one int he community available for our boys to goB) Community Center to include GYM/pool for me to go and excercise and meet other peopleC) if possible, RECREATION SPORTS for children for my sons to be involved and play and challenge other cities (soccer, indoor soccer, baseball, basketball etc)That’s our goal to move to a community that can include these!Family of Tigger5np
September 19th, 2006 at 12:02 am
Love all these comments so far! Keep them coming.