— Muskogee’s AIM is on the mark.

Nearly 300 people participated in the inaugural Action In Muskogee community visioning process Tuesday night at the Muskogee Civic Center.

While feeding the crowd probably helped, those are impressive numbers and a great start to the series of five meetings to develop a plan to improve Muskogee.

To be successful, we need to build momentum on this great start.

The event is a project of the Muskogee City-County Port Authority to inspire the community to shape a plan that can be implemented with accountability. Brien Thorstenberg, the director of business and economic development for the Port of Muskogee’s Business Development Office, is spearheading the effort.

“This is really always about just the average person of Muskogee wanting to move forward,” Thorstenberg said. “And the diversity was impressive. You saw the ‘same old people,’ but you saw even more people of all ages and socioeconomic diversity. Everybody was an equal. The people of Muskogee are moving themselves forward, and this was the first step in progress.”

Getting beyond the usual suspects is essential for this plan to succeed. The plan must energize citizens of our city who have been on the sidelines.

Dwight and Becky Ponds said the meetings are needed.

“People want to see Muskogee grow,” said Dwight, who is retired but drives trucks part time.

He is right. Attend the meetings, participate in the plan.

“The challenge is keeping everybody involved,” Thorstenberg said.

We are up to challenge.

If you go



WHAT: Action In Muskogee visioning process.

WHEN: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11, Sept. 25, Oct. 9, and Oct. 23. A free, light dinner will be served before each session at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Muskogee Civic Center.

INFO: (918) 682-7887 or joyce@muskogeeport.com.

ETC.: The planning event is a project of the Muskogee City-County Port Authority to develop a community inspired implementation plan with accountability to improve Muskogee.