Phase 2...

In any situation, there are phases...our situation is no different.
We went from crisis mode to recovery mode within a week, transferring leadership from the Fire Chief to the Mayor.  We went from briefings 3 times a day, to twice a day, down to daily and then to weekly. It's called progress.
We must be ever mindful however that progress will take a while.  We are in this for the long haul and we must not lose our momentum.
So many resources have been presented to us as a community, volunteers from far and wide have blessed our town and pledged continued support.  We need their help now and we will more so in the months to come.
We are looking long term. The homes and businesses will be rebuilt and we will move into yet another phase...the REINVENTION.
Be deliberate in your conversations with people, be mindful of your resources, be caring in your approach.  It will ultimately be US as a community that will make this happen...I need to know..."Who do you know" that can help us moving forward? I need them in my resource book so that I can maintain the relationships that will carry us on to the next chapter.  Some will know monetary contributors...we need their money.  Some will know laborers... we need their hands.  Some will know manufacturers...we need their products.  These resources are the pieces of the puzzle, and the LTRC (Long Term Recovery Committee)  are the hands that put the puzzle together.
Think hard...let me know.

Resurrection of a CowTown...Giddy Up!

On April 27, 2014 an EF2 tornado tore through Baxter Springs, KS leaving a 2 mile path of destruction and debris...by the grace of God, we lost no lives.
2 weeks and a day later, we are well on our way to recovery mode.
We hugged and cried as a community...and then we powered on to clean up the wreckage and put things back together!  With the help of our neighboring communities, we have torn down and hauled off...and now, we make plans to rebuild.  We must look at this as an opportunity to redefine Baxter Springs, KS, to resurrect a CowTown, to restore a sense of community.
This Wednesday is the first gathering of our local LTRC, Long Term Recovery Committee.  This is a group of dedicated citizens, spiritual leaders, city leaders and resourceful volunteer organizations that are committed to the task of BUILDING BACK.
This is not a sprint...It is a marathon.   Stay tuned...