By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
UPDATE: At 7:55 p.m. local time, Hays is leading Sandusky, Ohio, 649-540, in the Strong Towns contest. You have until 11 p.m. local time to vote.
————————————————————
UPDATE: As of 9:15 a.m. this morning, “We are kicking butt!”
That’s the official word from Jeff Crispin, Hays Assistant Director of Utilities, regarding the “Strongest Town” Contest, in which Hays is paired against Sandusky, Ohio.
“Hays has the second highest vote count out of 16 cities,” according to Crispin. Voting for the “Elite Eight” is underway through 11 p.m. Central Time tonight, Thursday, March 17.
—————————————————————–
Every vote does count, especially when it comes to the “Strongest Town” Contest.
Hays has already made it to the “Sweet Sixteen” and voting for the “Elite Eight” is underway through tomorrow, Thursday, March 17, at 11 p.m. Central Time.
Hays has been following the “Strong Towns” philosophy for nearly a year. “From our standpoint, ‘Strong Towns’ is a way of life for us. It’s a way of making sure that we are looking at short-term benefit, who we’re benefiting, and long-term cost,” according to Toby Dougherty, city manager.
So what’s the competition all about?
This March, Strong Towns is hosting a bracket-based contest to see who has the strongest town. Readers and members are invited to vote for towns based on the Strong Towns strength test, as well as general Strong Towns principles. The contest is about showcasing towns that are doing their best to be strong, that have the building blocks in place to be strong towns today and in the future.
The first round was judged by Strong Towns staff and board in order to determine the Sweet Sixteen.
As did all the competitors, Dougherty, Hays city staff and city commissioners submitted information in six areas about their town.
- Describe your town’s transportation system and what transportation options are available for residents.
- Give an example of an incremental project that your town has undertaken.
- Describe how residents of your town are actively involved in local decision making.
- Tell us a story about how your town adapted to a challenge in some way.
- Does you town have a central “downtown” or district? If so, please describe this place.
- What is your favorite thing about your town?
People are encouraged to vote for their favorite town each week until the championship round at the end of March.
Hays is paired against Sandusky, Ohio, in the Sweet Sixteen.
“Winners will receive eternal fame and glory,” according to Strong Towns, “plus signed copies of our upcoming book, ‘Thoughts on Building Strong Towns, Volume II,’ and a certificate proclaiming their town: The Strongest.”