FAIRHOPE, Alabama—Leadership. Planning. Infrastructure. Economic Development. Quality of Life.

Those are the major categories of a detailed community-survey form due tomorrow, Aug. 9, as part of Fairhope's first step in its two- to three-year-long participation in the Alabama Communities of Excellence Program.

 Fairhope was one of six cities selected this year to join in a program that aims to help smaller cities develop effective strategic plans through a collaborative approach, according to ACE materials.

 The 19-page form asks questions like, “Does the community have the leadership, the strategy, all the necessary services, and a sound marketing plan necessary to be successful?”

 Some residents have complained about the form's length and wondered whether it's worth their time to fill it out. Others have welcomed the opportunity to finally have their say in a formal process and hope it will be heard and used effectively, according to city staff.

 For those residents who do want to participate, they can find forms at all city building's during working hours, at the city's website at cofairhope.com and here.

<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/16edRrYrwfqMUQKuU-Jht-LgIDsVOzxA-Z2kqgVXiJLg/viewform>