President's Message: What's Doing Now, December

by Daniel Pava, FAICP

Everyone will remember 2020 for reasons both bad and good. One of the things that I will remember is how Western Planner validated its mission and vision: to provide a network to share information and education about the unique aspects of planning in the West, and to unite planning professionals separated by the great expanses of the West. 

This year 2020 has presented challenges like no other in our history. Shortly after our board met in March, the pandemic manifested changes and disruptions to every facet of life. Nevertheless, we persisted in publishing our monthly journal, presenting high-caliber articles on topics about planning during the pandemic. The board continued to meet regularly addressing the business of the association, including filling vacant positions from constituent planning organizations. While our much-anticipated North Dakota conference will be rescheduled for 2022, Western Planner continues working with APA Arizona for holding a joint multi-state conference this coming August in Scottsdale. 

Western Planner remains the planner’s network connecting the great spaces and places of the West. We encompass the “1-person office” and state planning organizations, and everything in between. We are committed to provide a strong and active group working to build up the Western places and communities because we share an understanding of the issues that we share: water, public lands, tribal relationships, resource extraction, inequality, and social justice, and sustaining biodiversity and our wide-open spaces. You are not alone; we are here for you. 

The Western Planner could not survive and operate without supporting state organizations. Their partnerships and contributions help expand and sustain our organization. Our goal is to communicate regularly and help us understand how we can best support even the most remote planners. 

Western Planner depends on the individual contributions of members—writing articles, providing job postings, engaging with one another online, sponsoring, and donating. Moving forward, we will continue expanding our network and supporting it as described in our strategic plan—all with the focus on strengthening the Western Planner network. 

A special thanks to Ayres Associates for sponsoring this issue, and for being a long-time sponsor of Western Planner. You will find articles about Ayres’ work revitalizing western downtowns, including pop-up businesses and main street initiatives, and brownfield remediation. Brittany Skelton from Ketchum, Idaho provides insights about her experiences in her article, Downtown Revitalization: Strengthened by Relationships. Our featured planner is a new member-at-large on the Western Planner Board, Genevieve Pearthree, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

While my term as president is ending, Angela Parker capably takes the reigns in January. I will remain on the board representing APA New Mexico, and being an avid supporter of Western Planner.  As I have often said, there is great value in being part of a network that transcends formal connections and results in friendships borne of shared experiences, celebrating building better communities. What we have experienced during 2020 reminds us that you and I are part of that network. Let us work in the coming year to build up the West, together as our plans define the “next normal.” Please stay well!