An official definition of community reads something like this: “A community is a social group of organisms sharing an environment, normally with shared interests. In human communities, intent, belief, resources, preferences, needs, risks and a number of other conditions may be present and common, affecting the identity of the participants and their degree of cohesiveness.”

But what is the meaning of community for an elected official? Should the character of a community be taken into account when making decisions? Is it the duty of our public servants to understand and attempt to preserve the various communities that make up their constituenciesy? I believ, yes. A resounding yes!

Part of what guides a current or potential county supervisor is the County General Plan. Our General Plan, adopted in April of 2003, is available online at http://www.co.yavapai.az.us/DevServ.aspx.

The plan opens with this: “The Yavapai County General Plan is a statement about the future. The future contains the difficult task of balancing growth, development and urbanization with open space preservation, water conservation and protection of the traditional rural/ranching lifestyle. The General Plan is a guide for County leadership in its decision-making for the future quality of Yavapai County.”

It then makes a provision for communities to create an amendment to the General Plan that specifically addresses the goals of their particular area. Some of these community plans existed before the General Plan was adopted and were “re-adopted” with the General Plan. But since 2003, at least three communities in Yavapai County have chosen to create new community plans: Cornville, Williamson Valley and Paulden. Dewey-Humboldt scrapped their community planning process in favor of incorporation.

This is a huge process and requires a deep commitment from those who take a leadership role. They must follow fairly complex guidelines with little support from government entities. Each community has chosen its own way of bringing their ns together, and the criteria for each have been somewhat different. But the aspirations and motivations, it seems to me, are the same – a love of that community and a desire to protect and preserve its unique character. Otherwise, why bother?

Cornville conducted a community survey from which they received approximately a 9 percent return. Williamson Valley also did a survey, with a 31 percent return. Paulden held community meetings and voted in their plan.

Cornville adopted its plan quickly. The Williamson Valley Corridor Plan is still in process. Paulden finished its community plan in August and recently submitted it, so they are just beginning their journey toward approval. I attended the Paulden Area Community Organization meeting this month when it presented the final plan to the public. The fact that the planning process had brought this community together was obvious. I’m sure there were difficulties and disagreements, but the end result appears to have been a “gathering” that has strengthened the people who shepherded the plan along and those who participated in its creation. They own this plan and have high hopes for its approval. Bravo!

I applaud these communities for caring enough about where they live to put in the many hours and hard work that it takes to create a plan for their future. I also hope our county officials, both elected and appointed, treat them with the respect they deserve.