Participants in the Comprehensive Plan Public Workshops for the City of Brundidge met at Brundidge Station Thursday afternoon to review survey responses from the first workshop held in January and to discuss the vision for the city’s future and how that vision might be developed.

Tracy Delaney, community planner from the South Central Alabama Development Commission, conducted the workshop and presented the citizen survey results to the participants.

The survey included the three “most special features” about the town of 2,300.

“According to the survey, the We Piddle Around Theater, the town’s Christmas decorations and historic City Hall were among the top features,” Delaney said.

“Also, included were the library, the antique stores and the cooperative spirit of the community.”

The worst attributes of Brundidge were cited by the survey as drug activity, truck traffic, Grant Trailer Park, limited recreational facilities and opportunities and property maintenance.

Most noted landmarks were the Bass House/City Hall, Brundidge Station, Tupper Lightfoot Memorial Library, We Piddle Around Theater, Pike County High School and Salem Baptist and Brundidge United Methodist churches.

Significant historical events were listed as the Pike County High School football state championships, the Peanut Butter Festivals and the return of the 900th Maintenance Company of the Alabama National Guard from Saudi Arabia.

Delaney said the Brundidge Functionality Survey Responses showed that 86 percent of those surveyed are satisfied with the quality of life in Brundidge.

However, 66 percent of those survey said there are neighborhoods in Brundidge that are unsafe, including the north side of town, Grant Trailer Park and the park area.

Those surveyed think the town needs more retail stores, especially clothing and grocery stores and a motel.

Eighty-percent of those who participated in the survey are concerned with the shortage of jobs and 73 percent believe that utility rates are too high.

Only 33 percent of the participants are satisfied with the educational and recreational facilities.

Linda Steed questioned the responses to the survey that cite the dropout rate as a problem for the local schools.

Steed said the dropout rate at Pike County High School is not exceptionally high and had figures to support her statement.

Issues facing the city included trucks turning into the downtown area, industrial/residential compatibility, land locked-in by surrounding land owners, the need for another grocery store, anti-littering enforcement and accessibility to the post office.

Delaney presented a vision statement for consideration.

The statement read: Brundidge will reach is vision of becoming a self-sustaining rural community offering a unique quality of life to citizens, businesses and visitors through the execution of the following: Retain character, encourage cultural arts, attract people and housing, coordinate sustainable growth and hone leadership skills.

The participants suggested that the vision statement could be amended and tailored to better meet the specific needs of the community.

The next Comprehensive Plan Public meeting will be March 11 and will focus on land use, a development concept/strategy and the finalization of goals and objectives.