Excerpt from 2005 Program Assessment letter from Joel Cordle, Regional Downtown Representative addressed to Peter Cervelli, Manager, Better Hometown Trenton ...Thank you for taking time from your schedule to plan and coordinate the Georgia Better Homeetown annual assessment visit. Our meeting in Trenton was open and productive. All participants had an understanding of the local Better Hometown Program and a desire to see downtown Trenton succeed. Congratulations to your city for meeting the Department of Community Affairs Program Criteria. We will forward your assessment review to the National Main Street Center, so that Trenton may be accredited as a 2006 National Main Street Community. This provides national, statewide, and local visibility for your program and shows that you fully utilize the four-point Main Street Approach. Enclosed, please find your assessment report findings. We hope this assessment will assist you in celebrating your accomplishments and increasing your program's effectiveness... Standard #1: "Has broad-based community support for the commercial district revitalization process with active participation from both the public and private sectors" Finding: Met standard Comments: Good progress was made on developing partnerships in 2005. Also, there was a lot of positive news media coverage. Standard #2: "Has developed vision and mission statements relevant to community conditions and to the local Better Hometown/Main Street Program's organizational stage" Finding: Met standard Comments: We commend the use of historic preservation and economic development terminology in the vision and mission statements. Standard #3: "Has an annual comprehensive Better Hometown/Main Street work plan based on the 4-Point Approach" Finding: Met standard Comments: A lot of organizational work was needed in 2005, and that was well done. The work plan is well prepared with assignments and timelines. The 2006 plan is aggressive and could result in a super year if most of the plan is accomplished. Standard #4: "Possesses an historic preservation ethic" Finding: Met standard Comments: Continue to use the news media for placing stories about preservation and economic development. Good progress was made on the local historic district designation and ordinance. Standard #5: "Has an active board of directors, committees and volunteers utilizing the 4-Point Approach" Finding: Met standard Comments: The board job descriptions were a good addition and nicely done. Standard #6: "Has an operating budget with income from a variety of sources" Finding: Met standard Standard #7: "Has a paid professional program manager" Finding: Met standard Standard #8: "Participates in or provides on-going training for staff, board, government officials, and volunteers" Finding: Met standard Comments: We commend the manager his participation in a good number of training events. The DDA also received on-site training. Standard #9: "Reports key statistics in a timely manner" Finding: Met standard Standard #10: (required only if seeking National Main Street Certification) "Is a current member of the National Trust's Main Street network membership program" Finding: Met standard