Sesquicentennial
Public optimistic about the future of Caledonia
Posted: 6/8/04
By Shannon McKinney
Special to the Argus
In general, citizens of Caledonia are optimistic about the state of Caledonia right now and its future.
Community members were asked this question: In your perspective, what is the state of Caledonia now and where do you see it going? Here are their responses.
ï Bob Burns, Caledonia Mayor for 10 years and city council member for four years:
ìItís very strong. I think we have a nice moderate growth pattern. We have a strong future. The economic growth is consistent, but not dramatic. Weíre holding our own on residential development in-town and in the surrounding outskirts. The city and community as whole is doing well. The new school is a big draw. We have the lowest real estate taxes compared to other cities in Houston County. Itís a good place to raise a family. The future is as bright as its ever been. ì
ï Chuck Gavin, Caledonia Fire chief for five years, and part of the fire department for 14 years.
ìItís real safe. Itís a growing community that can do nothing but get better.î
ï Ken VanDenBoom, Caledonia High School science teacher for 36 years:
ìI just feel there is a general positive atmosphere in our community, which is not true in all communities. The city leaders are doing a good job. The future is optimistic and positive.î
ï Bob Nelson, Caledonia city clerk and administrator for 20 years.
ìItís a small rural type of community. In the future weíre going to grow as weíve continued to grow in the past 100 years at a relatively slow rate. In the last census, weíve grown from between 100 to 300 people every 10 years.
ìThe type of government could possibly change in the future. We could change to the manager system. Right now we are a statutory city class A, where the council has all authority and no authority can be delegated. In a management council, the council appoints a manager who is responsible for all bills and hiring. Itís kind of like a school superintendent.î
Nelson said that he had heard some of the council members discussing the idea which could become more viable in the future as handling city business issues become more complex.
He noted that the slow population growth allows for an easier time in handling the work load. He added, ìIt seems that larger cities get more into expensive type of buildings, like in Rochester they have marble statuettes and outside our city hall, you get a spittoon.î
ï Vernon Fruechte, beef cattle and crop farmer for 40 years, currently chair of the agriculture sub committee of the economic development authority of Houston County. Fruechte was also on the Caledonia Community Hospital committee which was engaged in promoting and getting the Buckley assisted living facility built.
ìCaledonia is in a renewal mode with the many new homes, a new school, hotel and community center along with the beautification and church remodeling projects. From a farmerís point of view, production agriculture is employing fewer than ever and this trend will continue. I am hopeful that there will be employment opportunities here to supplement farm income and/or to employ people who will be living on the farmsteads.î
ï Virginia Hughes, owner of Schroeder Jewelers for 51 years:
ìOur new and established businesses are continuing to rely on our steady work force. The whole economy is in a downtime, but growth in the new housing and new middle/high school is vital in this electronic and computer age in attracting families to our beautiful community.î
Hughes added that times have changed from 50 years ago. ìItís not like it used to be. We didnít have malls back then and Caledonia downtown was buzzing Friday and Saturday nights. It was something else! We need to do something [to revitalize the downtown],î said Schroeder.
ï Dave Klinski, Caledonia Area School board member for 14 years total since 1984. He came onto the board four years ago just when the ground to the new school was broken:
ìObviously itís a growing and vibrant community with the new school and the new developments being projected. I canít see it going anywhere but forward. Itís dynamic. Caledonia has always been the hub of the community. I see good things for the future of the community. It doesnít demean
other cities, but itís just a matter of fact. Where itís going is up to the residents of Caledonia. Thereís lots of potential,î he said.
ï Ann Thompson, County board commissioner representing Caledonia for nine years:
ìI have a very positive attitude toward Caledonia right now. Over the years the city has developed a much more positive attitude toward growth and development. Theyíve encouraged it. It started with the design team [several years ago].
ìFrom the city council to the residents, they have developed a much more positive attitude and are looking long range and not just the cheap way. It shows up in all of the things that have been accomplished; the EDA (Economic Development Authority) has been maintained, the community center and new middle/high school has been built. Theyíre doing a good job of planning and not just looking at the needs.
ìThereís not a lot of empty store fronts. Thereís slow steady growth in business and weíre adding a few new ones.
ìI can only see good in the future with increased residential housing, which is a sign that people believe there will be growth.î
Thompson explained that it seemed people had been relying on the status quo for many years, but she sees more people wanting to get involved and wanting things to happen. ìThe residents want to improve the town and they want it to look good.î
She pointed to the Caledonia Green group that was organized to spruce up Caledoniaís look with the planting of flowers in the town and the placement of new signs Thompson added, ìItís a great place to raise a family and for retirement because of the services.î
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