This has been a transitional year for Strategic Community Solutions and Karen’s planning responsibilities. Client projects completed this year include strategic plans for the City of Roanoke TX and for the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association.

In addition, Karen continued to co-chair (with Craig Farmer FAICP and Kimberly Miller AICP) the Texas Chapter’s Advocacy initiatives. Dealing with the Texas Legislature is always a challenge, but this year had even more twists and turns than usual. Luckily our initiative now has six topical subcommittees, each with a strong leader and great team, and they were able to evaluate legislation submitted at the last moment, provide testimony on short notice and make connections with legislators and staff. We hope our efforts will help reduce the negative impacts on Texans, Texas businesses and local Texas communities that could otherwise result from the legislative process.

This year Karen began evaluating the issues, areas and planning projects that will continue to be her focus.  Hopefully in 2024 she’ll be able to spend more time on this, and make some choices about what aspects of planning and community interaction will be engaging, satisfying and worthwhile for her future involvement.