For those wondering, “What the heck happened?”:

Vision Lampasas! had grown to the point that I was volunteering 35-40 hours a week. The responsibility and workload had become very great, and frankly I was exhausted. In September, I decided to retire at the end of the year, choosing to wait until Evening Under the Stars, Squared Silly and Hometown Holidays were completed.

In November, I told the mayor what my plans were and that I just could not continue to volunteer at this level. We both were very concerned how this would impact VL!. She asked me to meet with Michael Stoldt and her. We met on two occasions and discussed the possibility of my staying in a paid position with an office and storage space in order to make the position more manageable. Of course, this would have to be approved by the City Council. I was apprehensive about continuing the workload but am so committed to the efforts of Vision Lampasas! and to its mission that I was willing to do so.

This all seemed like a fairly simple thing to me. The city had started this organization two and a half years ago through the Lampasas Economic Development Corp. Vision Lampasas! has been very successful with local volunteers and a part-time paid consultant (paid with city funds) but has grown rapidly. The next logical step was for the city to continue its investment and support by moving to a full-time director. This was confirmed by my research into similar organizations.

The City Council elected to pass that responsibility off to the LEDC. At that point, the time frame and complexity of making this happen forced me to go ahead and resign so the organization could continue its momentum, rather than being in a holding pattern.

Unfortunately, the LEDC chose not to continue what they started and have chosen not to fund the directorship. I do not know their reasons, but of course I am extremely disappointment for VL! and for our city. This seems to me to be a disastrous decision and could set the organization back severely.

I have not lost my passion for revitalizing my hometown. Lampasas has so much to offer, but it cannot thrive and blossom with wishful or small thinking. Constant, concentrated effort by community groups with strong, committed leadership, along with the backing of our government leaders, is essential.

I am honored to have been a part of the development of Vision Lampasas! and to have worked with all the volunteers who have made it so important and impactful. I hope to see great things continue to happen in bringing vitality to our area.
Maryann Severn
former board president
Vision Lampasas!