We m e e t aga in .
Community Issue Summer 2012
health
leadership
business
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community
CommunitMatters e
Community. We all hear about it, we often read about it, but what exactly is it that makes the idea of ‘community’ so important? Why does community matter? In this issue we will do our best to introduce, inform, and educate the reader on all the things that make community and quality of life paramount. Starting with the Commonwealth, this edition of Communit-”e” Matters introduces the reader to a few reasons why the State of Virginia is a great place to reside. From cost of living to average income, Virginia ranks as the #1 place to make a living; check it out on page 2. Community, however, or a sense of community, doesn’t just happen. Deciding where you want to live, work, or play is only one part of making your community vital – it’s also what you do that influences the quality of life of any neighborhood. Check out how the City of Hampton, Virginia is nationally and internationally recognized for their efforts in community building. Speaking of community building, the fabulous group of adults just above the headline are members of the ‘Buddy Club’. When a facility was closed last year in another jurisdiction these adults lost space to meet and socialize. With the new Manassas Park Community Center open, we couldn’t think of a better place to bring these adults to leisurely recreate at their own pace. Meeting every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, these ‘Buddies’ would love to meet you and show you around - better yet, why wait... meet them on Page 4.
-newsletter
In Manassas Park, schools play an integral role in our jurisdictional sustainability. In addition to their educational function, a school can provide an anchor in any neighborhood by creating a large work center and a diverse community profile. Read about how collaboration between local government and schools is a critical key to community building on page 5. Schools are not the only asset that strengthens our city, by the way. Safety and security are two important factors one considers when choosing a place to live. Read about how the Manassas Park Fire and Police Departments are two agencies that keep rising to the challenge on pages 6 and 7. Whether it’s the reaccreditation of the Police Department or the community programs the Fire Department supports, the public safety departments are a big part of what makes Manassas Park pretty special. As I close out the first year of newsletters, I hope you have found them to be useful and informative. The next edition will takes us back into ‘Heath’ as we explore that topic with another year under our belt. With July 4th just around the corner I would like to invite everyone out to Signal Hill Park to view the annual Independence Day fireworks. The show begins around 9:15 p.m. and it’s a spectacular 30 minutes you won’t want to miss!! Thanks again for taking the time to read Communit-”e” Matters and if I don’t run into you on the 4th, whether you find yourself poolside, lakeside, or surfside – happy Summer!!
Catherine
Catherine Morretta, Director