According to Hamilton, the General Plan is a blueprint for growth and planning for the present and the future, but it is also a reflection of community goals, policies, and expectations. The City is not only updating the general plan because it is required by law, but because certain portions of the current plan are vague and outdated. According to Hamilton, they “do not reflect the changes which have occurred in Ione over the past 15 years.” After the presentation, a live polling exercise began. Those in attendance were given a small credit card sized device which allowed individual audience members to submit responses to interactive questions anonymously and in real time.

When attendees were asked what they liked most about Ione, the small town character, the rural setting, and a sense of community were popular answers. The downtown area was also a hot topic at the meeting, with revitalization said to be a huge factor in the economic arena. 45 percent of the audience said that they would like to see more shops and services in Ione, and suggested included another grocery store, dry cleaners, and a wider array of clothing options. The next step in the General Plan update includes preparing a background report, which should be finalized and distributed within the next 3 weeks. For more information regarding the General Plan Update, a website has been set up for informational purposes at www.IoneGeneralPlan.com.