Community Involved in Workshop


	Members of Community Provide Thoughts
	Berne, IN--Nearly 100 people were involved Thursday in the community workshop as charette team members conducted interviews. Numerous groups from Berne were asked to voice their ideas and concerns in an effort to identify the strengths of the community.


	Listed below are the findings from interviews with community members. Please note they are not necessarily representative of the views charrette participants or of Ball State University.
	[Positives] [Negatives] [Both Positive and Negative] [What is Unique] [Needs] [Quotes] Positives Swiss Tradition Cleanliness Work ethic Church (Christianity) Not-for-Profit services Volunteerism Craftmanship Town is laid out well (industry, housing, schools, etc.) Elderly are looked after well School sports and activities Tourism Trees and flowers Safety and security Genealogy "I was born in a small town." Low unemployment Support of children and elderly School respects the church schedule Swiss Days Back to Top Negatives Gap between children and elderly Amish education is poor/low Land ownership conflicts between town (city) and rural (Amish predominately) Downtown parking (cars and buggies), horse manure, and traffic Closed community (stems from pride and heritage) Lack of professional jobs (young professionals) Lack of youth activities outside of school Lack of expansion planning *Lack of shopping Lack of interest in the arts and heritage Culture is slipping They do not teach Swiss in school Shoplifting Loss of downtown ownership Mixed activities (volunteerism) that are not organized No sufficient restaurants Difficult to perpetuate business in a small shop Franchise development does not bring tourism Chamber has small funds The children are not coming back to the community Impact of Amish attending public schools Shopping is decreasing in the downtown Small town gossip Presentation and image of community Limited cultural and social activities Single adults don't have much activity Religion is a social thermometer and means of identification Lack of law enforcement Fear of speaking out from the youth Families are more concerned with the image of the problem than the problem Problems hidden behind the Swiss facade Education has lack of spiritual depth--values or challenges School is understaffed Need a community sports facility Parks and playgrounds overcrowded on weekends Separation between the Amish and the town Generation gap Back to Top Both Positive and Negative Low unemployment Amish community presence Price Encouragement of Swiss decoration Identity Differing types of educations between town and Amish Percentage of students continuing to College Growth of Amish population Possibility of a Wal-Mart Sports (good, but too much pressure) Back to Top What is Unique Open air museum Tourist attraction Most industrial workers never moved here Quilt guilds Clean, quiet, and safe Flowers downtown Very high level of pride Furniture sales Swiss, Mennonite, and Amish culture mix Nice yards Musical background Close knit family and religion Care for the elderly Family-oriented "Tree City USA" Locally-owned business downtown Post Office and Library McDonalds Back to Top Needs Tourist lodging Amish or Swiss restaurant Small shops downtown (unique/quality goods) Additional access to Swiss Village Limited access on Highway 27 North Low-cost shopping Traffic light at Highway 27 and Parkway Entertainment for young people Downtown parking Separate modes of transportation Professional job opportunities and marketing of the existing jobs and more industry Pedestrian access to Highway 27 North Place to meet and demonstrate heritage Continuity of heritage Youth community center Long range planning; framework Additional outdoor recreation areas (fields, pool) Have sporting areas together and close to the shopping areas Combine art, dance, music, and sports More people New church Skating and roller-blading facilities Good organization of facilities More volunteers New housing Bike path Back to Top Community Quotes "Volunteerism makes a community." "For the size of Berne there is too much low-income housing." "Nobody has to use turn signals. People already know where you are going." "Kids won't come back because they are not involved." "They can't stop me from loving" (In relation to the conflict between the government and the church providing services.) "This is a great place to raise kids." "Above all else, we want a safe environment to live." Government is helping to move in "bad elements" (housing and people not working) "Kids just want to be entertained....Nintendo." Back to Top