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VisionWorks' Breakthrough Solutions
Community and Regional Success Stories
Thornton Faces New Opportunities and Challenges – June 2002
Since Thornton, a small community in southern Arkansas, became
involved in VISION 2010, several things have happened: three new
businesses have opened, a town meeting was held with 20 percent of
the community in attendance, a clean-up day was held, and the city
secured a grant for disaster aid. And the community is just
beginning.
"We are trying to do things through Step by Step to improve the
community," states Dr. Levenis Penix, mayor of Thornton and VISION
2010 Leadership Team member. Step by Step, the community
organization that was in existence before Thornton’s participation
in VISION 2010, has played a key role in their success, along with
the city government. Since Thornton became involved in VISION 2010,
three new businesses have been established: a grocery store has
opened in town, as well as a laundromat and a game room/used
furniture store. In addition, the county has repaired some streets,
the city secured a $21,477 grant for disaster aid after the ice
storms, and a clean-up day was held. Former mayor Sharon Scott
played a strong leadership role in these activities, as did the
Thornton VISION 2010 Steering Committee.
Current activities include re-applying for a grant to develop a
park, putting trash barrels around town, installing a flag pole at
the fire house, and investigating opportunities for using a vacant
K-4 school building. When the school board moved the K-4 school to
Bearden, they also agreed to give the building to the city of
Thornton. If you have ideas, suggestions, or stories about what
could be done with a K-4 school building, please contact Dr. Levenis
Penix at levdot@ipa.net or (870-352-8241).
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