Franke Horstmann

TO: Elias McDonald, Director of Hermann Area Chamber of Commerce

FROM: Franke Horstmann, Hermann Community Citizen
DATE: August 6, 2015
RE: A proposal to galvanize a structure of activity for the teenagers of
Hermann

PURPOSE:
I propose that some sort of activity is provided in the Hermann area,
concentrated to the ages 13-19. It is clear that Hermann makes a majority of
its earnings from tourism. A continuous visual of novel structures being built
reminds the community of that daily. It is time to build a structure to occupy
the local teenagers, rather than continuing to build for visitors. Much of the
evidence conveyed through a local survey provides daunting statistics, which
should concern the Hermann association that is supposed to promote and
protect the interests of their community. In order to resolve many issues
faced in our community regarding teens and illegal activity I propose a
structure to be built to occupy teenagers in our town by May, 2017.
PROBLEM:
The problem that Hermann is facing is neglect towards the locals, particularly
teenagers. Teenagers living in this community are looking for something to
do that is near home. The closest place of activity for these young adults is
30 miles away, and teens 13-15 cannot drive. The nearest place also requires
driving on an interstate, a majority of young drivers are not willing to do that,
or their parents wont allow it yet.
There were 22 Hermann teenagers that responded to the survey, one
question in particular was asking them how often they were bored in
Hermann on the weekends and over 50% said every weekend. A more
disturbing result from the survey was that over 80% of the teenagers in
Hermann said drinking alcohol is done just about every weekend. The
teenagers were also asked where they hangout in Hermann and 77% said a
parking lot. It is hard to blame teenagers for getting involved in mischievous
activities when there is no other alternative.
The focus of Hermann is clearly to bring in tourists, while that is a great way
to keep our small town in good prospects, it is also important to keep the
locals pleased. The chamber of commerce in Hermann should put the local

Franke Horstmann

community before the outside public. The community should feel valued,
especially impressionable teenagers that are within the town.
When teenagers were given options on who they regarded responsible for
providing them with something to do locally, a staggering 90% said the
community leaders of Hermann. Below is a visual from 22 students who
expressed who they consider to be responsible for providing them with
something to do.

Who is Responsible?
9.09

90.91

Community

School

Parents

Church

No One

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The Reason
9.09

4.55

86.36
No one thinks to do so
They think we have plenty to do
No one can afford to do so
The town is more focused on making money off tourism
There is just no space in Hermann for a place of activity

An example presently in Hermann is that within the next two months there is
virtually an activity for tourists every single day. Although, in the next two
months there is nothing planned for the community teens.

SOLUTION:
Deciding that two years of funds usually set aside for tourist attractions be
used for an activity center for the teenagers of Hermann would please the
community. A lot of the tourist make it an annual tradition to come to the
Hermann festivals, considering that the tourism should not decrease within
those two years. In fact with an activity center for teenagers it would bring in
other towns people. It would become another source of cash-flow that would
begin circulating within our town.
The solution to the problem stated above has a fairly simple solution. The
mindset of the communities chamber of commerce needs to be reevaluated,
this means putting the well-being of their towns people first. The solution

Franke Horstmann

does not take away from the profit contributed from tourism, it simply adds
one center that would appease the community teens for at least 15-20 years.
According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned
Pregnancy, teen birth rates among every racial/ethnic group is the largest in
rural areas. According to the National Campaign teen girls in rural areas
account for 20% of teen births, while only accounting for 16% of the
population. On average in Hermann there is about eight unplanned high
school pregnancies in a school year and the institute only has about 150
female students. Clearly if they are not smoking or drinking they are being
sexually active. It is important in many ways that the community provides
teenagers with activities.
Its not fair for teenagers in Hermann to have a higher percentage of not
going to college, preventing pregnancy, and/or doing illegal activities, simply
because their community doesnt provide alternate activities. It boils down to
keeping these young adults busy with productive, fun, but safe activities.
COSTS AND TIME FRAME:
I would recommend a two room movie theater with 100 seats in each room.
The movie theater should play the new releases only. I would recommend it
be open Wednesday through Sunday during the summer and Friday-Sunday
during the school year. The theatre would need to provide candy, popcorn,
soda, and a small arcade room. I would recommend the theatre stay open
past 11:00 p.m.
The time frame expected would be two years from now, around May 2017.
Local contractors and maintenance providers should build the theatre, it
would allow for the money being spent to be contributed back to the locals.
The anticipated budget would be close to $500,000 for the purchase of the
land and the movie theatre being built, about $100,000 to set up the small
arcade and food stand area. The community would profit at least 40,000 a
year and introduce new people to the small town, sanctioning more tourists
to visit during festivals, resulting in more money coming into the town.
CONCLUSION:
Surrounding small towns represent what our small town of Hermann could
face in a few short years. Our tourism has helped our town from failing
completely, but while we present the town nicely the teenagers are suffering.
It is the communitys responsibility to provide activities for their youth. Teens
in Hermann are beginning to notice their lack of importance and it is
dimensioning their confidence. This in turn is causing a rise in illegal activity
which can never lead to a good outcome. Expecting teens to behave in a

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town where there is nothing for them to do is an unfair request. It is time to

spend the communities money on the community.