Project 1590 is a grassroots effort in Fairmont to enhance the community. It has placed the “how” in the hands of citizens, who have been voting online, expressing ideas about what the town needs or needs to do better. More than 1,600 ideas were offered, and they have been winnowed down to 30 topics.

The process will continue in coming months until there are 5 to 10 ideas left. Then, committees will form to make those ideas become reality. Project 1590 organizers say some ideas might happen quickly while others would take time.

Looking down the list, we can see – already – those that are realistic and those that are pure wishes. And even in the “realistic” category there are ideas that will definitely take time, to say the least, if they happen at all.

One simple, basic idea would involve improving city entrances with signage and landscaping. This seems easy enough. Another idea would have the city do a better job of enforcing its ordinances, to help improve the appearance of the community. That too could be done at a low cost.

Other ideas would cost more while still falling within the realm of public decision-making. The city could, for instance, decide to build a community multi-purpose facility. Or work to expand local trails for hiking and biking. Or work to create community-wide Wi-Fi. But all these ideas are more complicated or more expensive.

And then there are the unrealistic thoughts, mainly because they would require private investment. Creating more business, industry and jobs falls to the private sector. While we would all welcome these developments, they are a wish, not a goal that a community can work toward.