DECATUR - A road map is being constructed to chart the community's future.

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More than 600 residents offered their thoughts on the emerging plan during Thursday's Community Leaders Breakfast at the Decatur Conference Center & Hotel.

And project leaders are hoping to gain thoughts from residents throughout Macon County about how best to move the community forward.

"It's your chance to influence the future and create change," said Decatur city Councilman Patrick Laegeler. "Tell us what you value; tell us what is most important to you, where you want your elected officials to spend their time and your money to make this county a greater place to live."

Residents are encouraged to help set a community agenda by ranking possible strategies in order of importance:

n Securing competitive and living wage jobs in Macon County;

n Increasing the population in the county and its communities;

n Improving and increasing educational opportunities;

n Cleaning up and improving the appearance of the county;

n Lowering property taxes;

n Increasing the available water supply;

n Improving the community's self-image;

n Improving the communities outside the county;

n Capitalizing on the community's central location;

n Improving race relations;

n Securing more retail, commercial and dining establishments;

n Improving public safety.

Surveys can be filled out online at www.herald-review.com/communityagenda.

Motivational speaker Chip Eichelberger urged breakfast attendees to get switched on to positive community change.

"Part of the challenge you have here is you've got people telling the old story of Macon County and Decatur," Eichelberger said. "They're talking about what it was, versus what it is and where it's going.

"You've got to retain absolute faith that you can and will prevail, regardless."

Eichelberger said change requires confronting "brutal facts" that some may be afraid to face.

Stewardship is contagious, he said.

"You think big by starting with the small stuff," Eichelberger said.

All things that are simple to do also are simple not to do, he said.

Attendees were challenged to reflect on what changes they could make with their business, street and neighborhood.

"You've got to step up and do something," Eichelberger said.

Todd Nelson, publisher of the Herald & Review, encouraged attendees to get involved with a community beautification program called Pitch In!

The program challenges residents and business owners to pick up their property every day and clean up the parkway, curbs and nearby lots.

The effort improves the community's image and helps make a positive first impression to visitors, Nelson said.

"The challenge is to get everyone involved," Nelson said. "It's an insurmountable task for a few, but it's not that big of a task for the many."

Laegeler said elected leaders have been responsive to goals identified by community members in the past.

And community input is crucial for a successful countywide plan.

Community members sought to diversify and strengthen the economic base of the community.

Decatur still has a strong industrial core, and 68 percent of Decatur jobs now are white collar and "heavily" service-based, Laegeler said.

Residents wanted a revitalized downtown. Efforts continue to improve the traditional business district, including the construction of a 75,000-square-foot office building in the 300 block of North Water Street, Laegeler said.

Residents identified a need for low- and moderate-income housing, and the Wabash Crossing neighborhood continues to sprout on the city's near northside.

Target, Starbucks and Olive Garden were among the top requested stores and restaurants, and all three now are open at Mound Road and U.S. 51.

The Decatur City Council continues efforts to expand the community's water supply and find more room for the Decatur Police Department.

"With clear vision and goals, change happens, and it happens for the benefit of the entire community," Laegeler said. "Yet with all the positive things happening in the county today, this is definitely not the time to sit back and smell the roses.

"There is still a lot of work to be done."

The Community Leaders Breakfast is sponsored by the Herald & Review, Archer Daniels Midland Co., Main Street Bank & Trust, Caterpillar Inc. and Tate & Lyle.

The next breakfast will be Oct. 18.

Mike Frazier can be reached at mfrazier@herald-review.com or 421-7985.

If you would like more information, please visit www.GetSwitchedOn.com