Charting Hamilton County's future will take the form of an old-time New England town meeting combined with 21st-century wireless technology.

        About 1,000 county residents are expected to gather for a daylong meeting Saturday at Music Hall, where they will use laptop computers to plot a course for county leaders.

        Ron Miller, executive director of the county's Planning and Zoning Department, said political leaders have promised to listen to citizen voices and shape policies based on the meeting's outcome.

        It's an effort called Community Compass. County planners have spent six months soliciting ideas from residents that are intended to shape a comprehensive plan for the future.

        The county's last comprehensive plan was written 37 years ago. County officials say the new one will essentially create a “to do” list for the county.

        A new plan also is meant as a blueprint for getting local governments to work with one another, and will give the county a more powerful voice when seeking federal or state money for projects related to the plan.

        More than 2,800 ideas were generated by residents during 11 public meetings over the past year. Those ideas have been boiled down to four core issues:

        • Investing in economic prosperity; for example, creating a quality of life that attracts the young and entrepreneurs, attracting and retaining businesses, and increasing university research.

        • Getting citizens and private organizations involved in governmental decision making; helping governments work better and more effectively together.

        • Embracing diversity and practicing equality.

        • Balancing development and the environment to preserve natural resources and control growth.

        Hamilton County Commissioner Tom Neyer, a long-time supporter of a development plan for western Hamilton County that many residents oppose, said he will follow whatever direction comes from the meeting.

        “If this is just a process to arrive at a predetermined answer, than it's a waste,” Mr. Neyer said. “This is truly an effort of the people, by the people, for the people of Hamilton County.”

        In addition to the county commission, the county's municipal league, township association and the planning partnership — an alliance of the 37 governments within the county — have endorsed the process.

        “I think we can come out of this with some consensus on policies and guidelines,” said Pat Timm, executive director of the Metropolitan Growth Alliance. “After that, it will take leadership and influence of local decision makers.”

Fights brew over use of eminent domain
Law is 'last resort,' Newport officials say
School officials unveil $1B building plan
Luken to speak on city's state
Pair indicted in death of 3-year-old
Fight to halt new YMCA loses round
Former Mariemont schools head dies at 83
Hamilton Co.'s future lies in past
Judge won't step down from trial
Old book holds 1911 message
Radio host wins Round 1
Tristate A.M. Report
PULFER: The Maisonette
Accident at plant severs man's leg
Hamilton to Nuxhall: You're a champ
Alert teller, officer uncover counterfeit ring, police say
Fat Tuesday party to help charities
Four schools' test scores slip
Gambling issue comes to Capitol
Kentucky News Briefs
L&N found fit for new life
Ludlow to swear in Murphy tonight as its new police chief
McConnell predicts Bunning judgeship
Racetrack sends money to lawmakers
Rezoning key to auto dealerships