Payne Maryland Partnership announces choice of visioning agency

At a media conference this afternoon, Payne/Maryland Partnership announced the choice of Hoisington Koegler Group, inc [HKGi] to be its visioning agency.

Speaking were Councilmember Bostrom, Mayor Coleman the Second, Greg Shipp of the Merrick Community Services Board, Barbara Schmidt of Arlington Hills Lutheran Church, and James Bradshaw of Bradshaw Mortuaries. [pictured]

Councilmember Bostrom spoke of the opportunities the partnership has and the challenges it faces, putting it into Payne Avenue historical perspective. The mayor spoke on the opportunities and possibilities. Mr. Shipp and Ms. Schmidt spoke on how their organizations are interested in cooperating and noted the 99^th and 100^th anniversaries of their organizations occurring this year.

After telling a stale undertaker joke, Mr. Bradshaw mentioned the changes in the death industry and suggested ways that his concern might fit into the project.

While I did not notice the presence of any other elected officials, the relevant city staff was there as well as representatives from neighborhood organizations. There were few questions, but a representative from HKGi was introduced in response to one of them and assured people that there would be a chance for public input into the matter. [Unfortunately, due to the acoustics of the room and my diminished hearing, I did not catch the man’s name.]

The visioning plan has an April 1, 2008 target for completion and will be holding a public open house at Arlington Hills Lutheran Church [1115 Greenbrier] on January 31 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.