By Matt Smith/msmith@trcle.com

KEENE — An update on the city strategic planning project initiated earlier this year supplied the lead off topic during Thursday’s luncheon of the Keene Chamber of Commerce.

Attendees also heard from Wayne Tomblinson and his sister, Carolyn Jo Wear, two longtime residents with deep roots in Keene who plan to move soon.

Harry McQueen, a consultant and planner, delivered an update on progress of the strategic planning project.

The project, initiated by the Keene City Council and supported by the council, chamber and Keene 4A Economic Development Board, began in March.

McQueen outlined the purpose and goals of the project during an earlier chamber luncheon in March.

The project, McQueen said at the time, will help form goals and a vision for the city. The process involves talking to residents and officials to glean a picture of where Keene is now and gather input about residents’ hopes for the city’s future.

That information will be used to develop strategies to reach those goals.

The strategies will include short and long term goals and take into account such factors as business issues, city financing capabilities, guiding principals and potential roadblocks, McQueen said.

A final report on the findings of the project should occur about September, McQueen said.

About 95 percent of the work on developing a vision for Keene is done and about 80 percent of work on documenting the city’s current state, he said.

McQueen asked attendees at the luncheon what they thought would make Keene an ideal place to live. Responses included road improvement, attracting retail and bringing the city to a point where revenues are greater than expenses.

McQueen asked the audience why they think Keene has a difficult time attracting business. Responses included high taxes, perceptions that residents won’t patronize the businesses, especially on Saturday, and a lack of infrastructure.

Input is still needed, McQueen said.

He urged residents to contact city hall with any suggestions.

Once complete, the project will culminate in a series of recommendations, which a steering committee will present to the city council, McQueen said.

Moving on

Longtime residents Wayne Tomblinson and Carolyn Jo Wear both plan to relocate soon, Tomblinson to Florida, Wear to Irving.

Tomblinson recently sold Tomblinson Real Estate, a company his parents, Dudley and Reta Tomblinson, began in 1975, and Tomblinson and Wear later operated.

Tomblinson sold the business to Dan Zacharias and his son, Greg Zacharias, on May 1.

“I just wanted to prove to everybody that I actually do own a suit,” Tomblinson said joking about not sporting his usual casual style of dress.

Tomblinson discussed his great-grandparents, one of the first four families to settle in Keene and Keene businesses operated by his grandparents and parents through the years, including gas stations, a grocery store and other businesses.

He talked about how his father hitchhiked from Oklahoma to attend Southwestern Adventist University.

Like his parents and grandparents, Tomblinson took an active part in Keene civic affairs, serving as president of the Keene Economic Development Board, and was a perennial figure at city council meetings.

Tomblinson displayed several family photographs taken in Keene that stretching back to the early 1900s.

“I’ve spent the last 17 years here, longer than I’ve spent in any other town,” Tomblinson said. “I’m going to miss Keene, but I’m going to love the beach.”

Wear shared similar sentiments.

“Keene has always been home to me,” Wear said. “And it always will be.”