12 years ago, 500 people turned out for the creation of Decatur’s 2000 Strategic Plan.  As Decatur Mayor Bill Floyd noted at last night’s Strategic Plan Kick-Off meeting, “controversy” was Decatur’s greatest asset in 1998.  There was a lot of unfocused energy that needed directing.

Decatur in 2010 is in a very different place, thanks in large part to that 2000 plan.  While controversies still pop-up requiring serious consideration – and the occasional heated argument – in large part, the fruits of decade-old labor is a present-day citizenry, both content and proud of their community.

And often times, contentment breed’s laziness.  Not here.

Over 80% of the tasks in the 2000 Strategic Plan have either been completed, are planned for completion, or were followed through to their natural conclusion.  And I’m not just parroting the city when I say that.  I sat down with them and went through the 2000 plan line-by-line a couple weeks ago.

With so many tasks completed, what’s left to do?  That’s what the smaller groups will begin discussing in a couple weeks.   You can still sign up.

Video courtesy of DecaturNext

What could have been a very alarming story instead thankfully ended with minimal damage this afternoon.

Around 3:05p, Carl tweeted “fire happening in the rear of the Holiday Inn/Decatur Conference Center” and posted a pic of a closed Marshall Street.  About 20 minutes later, Carl reported the smoke had dissipated and the street had reopened.

So, what the heck happened?

DM has learned from Fire Chief Dixon and Lyn Menne that an HVAC unit on the roof of the conference center had caught on fire, but was thankfully “contained to the unit”, resulting in no damage to the building.

Nice work Decatur Fire Department!  We certainly don’t need to lose a building the city JUST finished paying off!