Key Heart & Soul Takeaways
Rockland Heart & Soul - a community engagement and development process to learn what matters most to our community. The Orton Family Foundation of Vermont provided a structure and a coach to use the three-stage process piloted and established in many communities across the United States.
Around 2016 and lasting about three years, citizen volunteers charted a comprehensive demographic community map of populations to interview and collect perspectives about Rockland. Unlike a survey that may omit some segments of a population, the Heart & Soul process insisted on reaching and recording views from a percentage of all demographic pockets which involved outreach and networking to accomplish this task. Over 300 audio recording were conducted along with multiple opinion sampling events, neighborhood meetings and facilitated community meetings. This data was then sorted into twelve categories of what matters most to Rockland citizens and presented and ratified by Rockland City Council as the values to guide policy and decision making for Rockland’s future. These values are now a part of Rockland’s Comprehensive Plan.
Community
We value our friendly, authentic, creative and diverse population who work together to give our city a “small town” feel. We appreciate our festivals, events, museums and cultural activities that keep our city vibrant and inviting. We value our neighbors and peaceful neighborhoods that contribute to our sense of safety. We yearn for opportunities and resources for our youth to sustain a diverse and thriving community.
Cultural and Historic Resources
We value Rockland’s cultural arts’: the visual, literary, film and performance arts and how they enhance our quality of life. We especially value our library for its many programs and activities and its welcoming attitude, making it a resource for every member of our community. We value the historic character of our community that celebrates our past and enhances the appearance of our city.
Land Use
We value careful growth, with appropriate zoning and building codes, that contribute to our coastal community, our working-class character, and the needs of those who live here.
Housing
We value diverse affordable housing for all residents, while preserving our neighborhoods that express our character as an historic waterfront community.
Marine Resources
We value the working waterfront. We respect and will preserve the heritage of the marine and fishing industries that provide diverse employment and maintain the small-town way of life distinctive to coastal Maine. We also value and hope to expand the recreational use of the harbor working together with commercial enterprises.
City Services and Facilities
We appreciate the municipal services provided by the City, including fire, police, public works and sewage treatment, to meet the needs of residents and businesses. We support a City Council practicing good governance. We expect thorough planning based on input from residents and adherence to the city’s Comprehensive Plan, to maintain our quality of life.
Local Economy
We value a healthy, balanced, local economy, especially our restaurants, coffee shops and stores and the working waterfront. We value jobs that pay a living wage year-round and businesses that increase the local tax base, and provide the products and services that Rockland residents need.
Public Health
We value our community health and social services that provide medical care, food assistance and shelter, offering our residents a better quality of life. We know that poverty and substance abuse must be addressed by the community.
Transportation
We value good roads and sidewalks allowing us to walk, bicycle, and travel safely. We value our transportation system of ferry service to the islands, access to urban centers via bus, train and highway and the new bus service that connects our community locally and regionally. We value sufficient parking, adequate street lighting and bike trails and lanes that contribute to the safety of our city.
Education
We applaud the strengthening of our schools to overcome the quality problems of the past and to ensure a bright future for all our children. The community values vocational/technical and post-secondary education, especially expanding URock and the Mid-Coast School of Technology offerings to reach a larger community.
Recreation and Open Space
We treasure our physical and visual access to the ocean, particularly the Breakwater, lighthouse and the Harbor Trail. We value walking and biking trails, access to nature, public parks, playgrounds and gardens for all in our community to enjoy. Preserving and creating recreational opportunities for families and people of all ages and abilities contributes to the overall wellbeing of our community.
City Services and Facilities
We appreciate the municipal services provided by the City, including fire, police, public works and sewage treatment, to meet the needs of residents and businesses. We support a City Council practicing good governance. We expect thorough planning based on input from residents and adherence to the city's Comprehensive Plan to maintain our quality of life.
