By Mark Wineka
mwineka@salisburypost.com
Dr. Suzanne Morse of the Pew Partnership for Civic Change will be the luncheon speaker kicking off Salisbury City Council’s annual retreat Feb. 12 at City Hall.
Morse is author of “Smart Communities: How Citizens and Local Leaders Can Use Strategic Thinking to Build a Brighter Future.”
The concept of “working together” is recognized in her book as an important characteristic among efficient and high-performing communities.
Morse and her colleagues have researched and identified these kinds of “key leverage points” among successful communities across the nation.
The theme of Salisbury City Council’s 24th Annual Future Directions and Goal-Setting Conference, which will cover Feb. 12 and 13, will be “Embracing Community Challenges, Discovering Our Opportunities.”
“This year, in light of the unprecedented economic difficulties facing our nation and community,” Mayor Susan Kluttz said, “the City Council will be focusing on how we can work together to provide essential services to our citizens while achieving commonly held goals and objectives.”
The kickoff luncheon will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Feb. 12, followed by Morse’s conducting an abbreviated “Smart Communities” workshop from 1-2:30 p.m.
Various community leaders have been invited to the luncheon and workshop.