Without a chairman, an organization might flounder in its attempts to divide responsibility and continue with the tasks at hand.

That could have been the outcome for Vision Downtown Lampasas, if not for the leadership efforts from various committee heads coupled with the determination of one woman with a passion for her community.

The group charged with revitalizing the downtown business district has a strong leader in Maryann Severn.

As VDL fund-raising chairman and a member of the Lampasas Economic Development Corp., Mrs. Severn had a decision to make. Should she stay on the LEDC and leave VDL, or stay on VDL and resign from the LEDC.

"The LEDC is important to Lampasas, but so are the efforts of Vision Downtown Lampasas," she said.

"The impact on the community from VDL could be significant, so I decided to accept the chairmanship."

Mrs. Severn, a part of VDL since its inception a year ago, is ready to guide the organization into its second year. Evaluations of the eight committees under its umbrella are on the docket, as well as a review of the group's action plan.

The first year of the economic restructuring committee -- chaired by Sheryl Estes -- proved challenging, but the committee successfully compiled a complete inventory of the business district. New business owners and occupants were presented a welcome kit, and committee members shared local information about what VDL could provide for them.

T.J. Monroe chairs the housing committee. Its focus has been on making an inventory of upper stories in the downtown business area and beginning a feasibility study on possible renovations for the buildings as residences.

Mrs. Severn said the housing committee is planning a historic downtown walking tour on Dec. 6 as part of the Carol of Lights festivities. The tour will start at the Stage Stop, 511 Western St., where maps will be provided to participants.

"Residents will get the chance to go inside properties they normally would not be able to see, and it will include the upper stories of several stores on Courtyard Square," she said.

Though the event is free, VDL will accept donations for the organization.

The art committee, chaired by T.J. Mabrey, has had several successful events to promote the community, Mrs. Severn said.

Most recently, the group finished a boot mural on the side of Jerry Goodson's surveying building. An unveiling and chili supper saw more than 300 folks attend. The event garnered quite a bit of media attention, as well, said Mrs. Severn.

The next mural is set to start in February on the Second Street wall of Lampasas Hardware.

Chairing the promotions committee is Bryan Linder. "This also is an active group," said Mrs. Severn. "Linder has assumed the responsibility for marketing all of our boot mural products: calendars, postcards and other items, through the Web site at www.VisionLampa- sas.zenfolio.com.

"After the unveiling, we have had a lot of activity on the Web site, with people ordering items that will benefit the organization."

Mike Adams is chairman of the incentives committee, and Mrs. Severn said that group has some exciting ideas for the future.

The committee has introduced a low-interest loan program for those who renovate their properties, with interest rates below prime, Mrs. Severn said.

The committee also is working on a facade grant to encourage business owners to paint, add awnings and make other improvements to the fronts of buildings.

Because of the overlap of the economic restructuring and housing committees, the two groups will merge for the next year and work together on several projects, said the VDL chair.

Heading up the design committee is VDL's consultant Julie Johncox Siglinger. The primary focus is to work with city staff and council members to develop a Neighborhood Empowerment Zone and offer incentives for growth and property renovations. "We want to encourage housing and other development in the area," Mrs. Severn noted.

Linda Nash is chairing the organization committee, which has worked to develop procedures for each of the various functions of the task force. Members also are publishing newsletters to keep business owners informed of the latest VDL developments in the business district.

Mrs. Severn, who previously chaired the fund-raising committee, has agreed to undertake that responsibility along with the overall chairmanship of VDL.

One major fund-raiser -- Evening Under the Stars -- garnered $7,500.

"It was a very successful event and brought together so many facets of the community," she said.

Changes to the fund-raising committee will see it become part of the finance committee. With its new treasurer, Ed Sievers, and Mrs. Severn as chairman of the newly named committee, it will have financial oversight and policy-making responsibilities for the organization.

The group is preparing a mailout to request people remember VDL during year-end giving and as they plan their budget for the new year.

To bolster its local efforts and garner new ideas, members of VDL recently attended the Texas Downtown Association's three-day conference in Temple.

Mrs. Severn, Mrs. Nash, Mrs. Monroe and Sievers attended, along with Mrs. Siglinger, who is a TDA director.

"We received some very valuable information at the conference," said Mrs. Severn. "We were able to network with so many others looking to do the same things we are in their towns, and we were made aware of resources that the TDA and Texas Historical Commission have that we can draw on."

Basic information on revitalization also was shared with participants.

The four who attended the conference went to separate break-out sessions, which enabled them to share what they learned with others.

What is in VDL's future?

"I am hoping we have at least one new development project, primarily in housing, in the downtown area," said Mrs. Severn. "I think it will just take one for people to see before the idea takes off on its own.

"When people start living a pedestrian type lifestyle, businesses will come in to meet their needs," she said. "I've seen it happen in cities all over the world. It's happening in Dallas and Austin right now. I would love to see that here."

Mrs. Severn said Courtyard Square, coupled with Campbell Park, provides a wonderful opportunity for a peaceful, sociable center for living.

The VDL chair said she hopes to see more businesses come to the community. "We must have more income- and tax-producing entities in Lampasas as a whole and in the downtown area specifically."

VDL and the LEDC are making strides in creating an environment for increased economic growth, said Mrs. Severn.

"We realize the importance of partnering with other entities in the county, including the city, LEDC and chamber of commerce. We have an excellent working relationship with those entities, and hope to expand those in the future," she said.

Mrs. Severn said she was told she would find a lack of cooperation among entities. "That's not what I have seen at all. We are working together and working well together. The sum is greater than the parts, and we can accomplish more for our community by combining resources and energies.

"Even though we are in tough economic times, people still shop, people still travel, and people still eat. If we provide an interesting variety of places for people, and we let them know they are here, they will come," she continued.

"There are so many Lampasans who are willing to work hard to make that happen, and they refuse to let the economy or anything else slow us down."

Quoting a speaker and economist from the convention, Mrs. Severn added: "During tough times we hunker down and lay the groundwork for a better day."