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(Catherine Bowers is a member of the Potter County Board of Commissioners. She wrote her essay following the inaugural meeting of a business advisory group being formed in Potter County)

Thanks to Lou Karija for chairing the public meeting held on June 21 at the Mill Stream Inn. Thanks also to Gary Buchsen for offering his place of business for the meeting. The meeting went very well and the people who attended had viable concerns.

I have attended meetings concerning downtown revitalization and listened to many speakers concerning marketing, rural planning, community development, recreation, infrastructure needs and how to design a downtown in order to maintain community character.

There have been a lot of changes over the past few years and it would appear that many of us are putting forth an effort to work together in order to continue to make a difference for Potter County. However, revitalization is not just about Coudersport and Galeton. Every single town in Potter County needs to be revitalized.

The Dark Skies at Cherry Springs have directed much attention at Coudersport and Galeton. The Route 6 Byways, of course, address those communities along Route 6.

What about Austin, Shinglehouse, Harrison Valley, Roulette, Genesee and all the rest of the small communities? These communities are struggling, too.

What about the many businesses that have managed to keep their doors open in spite of the loss of jobs? We need to stand by them also.

I do not think any of us will ever see the same downtowns of 20 years ago, and for some even 10 years ago. We all must build on what we have and support each other.

I have personally worked hard at making changes in Potter County and in spite of everything that has happened, I know the changes that have taken place are good and will ultimately make our county stronger and we will again prosper -- not in the same way as the past, but we will prosper.

Tourism is wonderful; however, we always have had four seasons. Tourism is not new to Potter County. To expand upon it is one thing, to rely on it is another.

There is one thing that I know will put a smile on many faces, improve the economy and revitalize our downtown businesses: jobs!

The announcement of Empereon's pending start-up in Coudersport is great news, but we must continue the mission of bringing good-paying jobs, with benefits, to Potter County.

As for the deer population - reduce the coyote and bear population, which are killing fawns, or eliminate doe season for a year or two and one just might see the deer population revitalized. When the deer return, so will our hunters.

Try promoting our many wonderful fishing streams and one just may find more anglers in Potter County.

Open up a few state-owned trails to ATVs and promote annual, supervised trail rides.

Get our young people involved in volunteering - something that is slowly dying. Change is inevitable and Potter County has changed and will continue to change.

Having lived in Potter County all my life, I realize I have taken many things for granted. I never realized how beautiful our night sky really is. I remember lying in the back yard in the summer and looking up at the night sky, searching for the Big Dipper. When we saw a shooting star, we made a wish. I guess I never thought about those who, because of smog and pollution, could not even see the sky, let alone the stars.

Clean air, water and wide open space is something I have lived with all my life, however I now can understand why those visiting Potter County and those who have chosen to make it their home are so awestruck with its beauty.

I have listened to many great ideas, as mentioned above. Now I ask: who will volunteer with me to make all of this a reality?