A crowd that numbered 70-plus attended the initial community-wide meeting of those who are interested in the revitalization of Brundidge on August 30 at Collier’s on Main.

The meeting was organized by former residents, Montgomery architect Paul Butler and Troy University Board of Trustees member Karen Ellis Carter, who both said they were encouraged by the interest shown by the extended Brundidge community.

“The meeting was a great starting place,” Butler said. “The revitalization of Brundidge is going to take a grassroots effort. The interest at the initial meeting was an indication that people are interested and willing to get involved.”

Butler suggested that a second meeting should be held while interest is high. Brundidge Mayor Isabell Boyd agreed. A second meeting is set for 5 p.m. Monday at Brundidge Station and everyone with an interest in the future of Brundidge is invited and encouraged to attend.

“The consensus of those who attended the first meeting was that we should not let ideas and interest go cold,” Boyd said. “While interest is high and people are exploring ideas, we need to tap into that interest and hear those ideas.”

Boyd said Monday’s meeting will be a time for coming together in a positive way.

“To accomplish things, to move ahead, we have to work together,” she said. “We want people to express their ideas and concerns or ask questions and we need to be receptive to those comments. We can’t get set on just one idea because, if we do, we might get in rut that will take us nowhere.”

Boyd said the success of the revitalization efforts will depend on the willingness to consider and accept other ideas and to work together to accomplish whatever ideas are implemented.

“We’ll have to concentrate our efforts on one goal at a time,” she said. “We cannot be divided. We cannot have negative attitudes if we are to be fruitful in our efforts. If we want to get Brundidge back on track and headed in the right direction, everyone needs to get involved. It will take all of us working together, our citizens, our city government, the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Pike County Economic Development. Together, we can re-energize and revitalize Brundidge.”