OVERVIEW:
On September 21, 20 people participated in the Kingston listening workshop. The group included a number of senior staff from public agencies and major nonprofit organizations concerned with environmental sustainability, historic sites, and urban planning, as well as small businesses and regional publications. Participants noted that the audience was not fully representative of the region’s ethnic, racial, age or professional diversity. In particular, the group encouraged future representation from: youth and education; Native Americans; Spanish-speaking peoples; religious institutions and major funding agencies; as well as tourism development organizations, and agencies who work on behalf of underserved and underrepresented populations.

DISCUSSION:
The discussion focused on a new desire to integrate previously competing interests, for example: “economic development” vs ”natural resource protection”; “earning a living” vs “personal enrichment”; “market driven growth” vs “values driven growth”. The group noted that: (a) “nature”, “culture”, and “economy” are all interdependent; (b) the marketplace is becoming an expression of public will; and (c) commercial interests are taking greater responsibility for resources and sustainability. They felt that public officials have generally not yet caught up with this new reality. Participants suggested that the new definition of “wealth” should encompass such qualities as “economic sobriety and frugality”, “health and fitness”, and “community.” The group noted that the region has many enduring qualities that could support a values-driven vision of economic development, including: the river; a rich history; impressive vistas and beauty; “diversity” (economic; social; cultural; racial; biological); a passion for place; creativity (artistic, commercial, scientific); and a number of nonprofit and public sector initiatives (e.g. the Greenway process and framework). At the same time, participants pointed out that: many in the region still fear change; can be parochial in their thinking; maintain a top-down style of decision-making; and have a problematic relationship with New York City.

PRIORITY THEMES:
35 ideas were generated by the group to address a more holistic approach toward growth and development. The participants then selected those ideas they felt to be most promising. Priority Themes that emerged included:

• Creating a more sustainable “live and work” environment (bringing together “livability” and “economic development”);
• Promoting a clearer expression of public will through citizen awareness and public advocacy;
• Developing curricular and life-long learning educational programs using the region’s regional assets and resources;
• Establishing a region-wide youth development and support program.