We are continuing with Phase 2 of the series on the Seven Community Capitals. Bob Riley Jr., brought the idea of this series to me last fall and has been my co-host for the past two months. Bob is an engaged leader in many professional, state and community organizations involving environmental, entrepreneurial, agricultural, and higher educational endeavors.
After focusing on a different capital each week, we are now taking a look at how various cities/towns in Iowa are incorporating these capitals into their community strategies. We’re also taking a look at how the various capitals have gained or lost strength over time as the community has evolved. As stated by Flora, Flora and Gasteyer in their Rural Communities, Legacy + Change, 5th Edition, there is a “diversity in rural communities and the community capitals that contribute to their degree of environmental health, social inclusion, and economic security.” During this Phase 2 we are exploring that diversity.
As always, our goal is to dream of a post-Covid, aspirational world where we look for ways to collaborate on positive, practical paths forward through the connected strength of the Seven Capitals - Natural, Social, Financial, Political, Human, Cultural, and Built.
In this episode, we are taking a closer look at a large rural community in NW Iowa - Le Mars. This is a town that has evolved from being a college town (Westmar College, now closed) to a more industrially focused town. Through the many transitions during its 150 years, the population in Le Mars over the past 50 years has remained steady and even grown some. Does it continue to adapt and thrive despite of, or because of, these changes. Tune in for the discussion to hear the history and perspectives of our guests today.
Joining us in the conversation are:
- Dick Kirchoff, Mayor of Le Mars for the past 12 years
- Dr. Wayne Marty, a resident of Le Mars for most of the past 70 years along with his wife June.
Full disclosure, Doc Marty is my Dad and Le Mars is the town where I grew up.
Key Takeaways:
- Most communities are operating within the Seven Capitals Framework, whether they know it or not.
- Many cultural activities that were once centered around the college, have now, for the most part, moved into the community.
- A commitment to Public Private Partnerships has served Le Mars well.
- When comparing one community to another, it is important to understand the measurement being used. Adjustments may need to be considered to account for urban vs. rural, coastal vs. Midwest, or other variances to accommodate cost of living, lifestyle, and other differences.
- Volunteers are key to the success of the community.
- A dedication to working together – always a ‘We’ never an ‘I’ attitude is also critical.
- We all get where we are on the backs of others and those who came before us.
“Human settlements are like living organisms.
They must grow, and they will change.
But we can decide on the nature of that growth –
On the quality and the character of it –
And where it ought to go.
~ James Howard Kunstler
“In small towns as well as large,
Good people outnumber bad people 100 to 1.
In big towns the 100 are nervous,
But in small towns, it’s the one.
~Paul Harvey
Thank you for listening to today’s discussion. Let’s continue the conversation and learn from each other.