In any journey, it is imperative the traveler knows where he isgoing and how to get there. Without a road map, the traveler issubject to getting lost and his arrival at the destination could bedelayed – if he ever reaches it at all.

The situation is much the same in government.

Brookhaven aldermen, working with Mayor Bob Massengill, havefinalized the city’s “road map” to what they hope will be an evenstronger and more vibrant Brookhaven.

There are many ways to reach that destination, but cityofficials have unanimously agreed on five essential elements of thejourney. Those include economic development, downtownrevitalization, equipment replacement, systematic paving andinfrastructure needs.

Traveling with the county and chamber of commerce, cityofficials are on the right road to economic development via the newLinBrook Business Park. City officials are willing to considerother non park-related economic development opportunities aswell.

With new trees in place, downtown revitalization efforts arecontinuing with sign and light project. It will see new signageerected from the boulevard to downtown and new lights for thecity’s central business district.

City officials are also cognizant of the importance ofwell-maintained equipment that is in good working order. Officialshope to budget funds in the coming years to replace equipment thatdoes not meet that standard.

Systematic paving will make the journey to prosperity smootherby providing a logical means for addressing city street needs. Thisis one journey element where citizens will see and feel directresults.

Infrastructure needs will become more important in the next fewyears as the city prepares for an anticipated annexation. With afinal decision expected around the last quarter of 2007, officialswill need to plan to be sure the city’s water, sewer and otherpublic service areas can handle demands of the additionalpopulation.

An aspect of the road map that cannot be overlooked is the factthat the mayor and aldermen are sharing in the “driving”duties.

Throughout the preparation process, no one person has beenbehind the wheel steering the city vehicle. All have had access tothe wheel and the opportunity for input on the direction the cityneeds to go.

Officials have the road map in hand. Now the task is to moveforward in the journey.