SUQUAMISH — Nestled deep in the Suquamish Elementary School Library, a dozen individuals started to plan. Though the group was small, its hope was to enact big change in the community, and now it finally has the means to do so.

The “inaugural” meeting of the Suquamish Community Advisory Committee took place Thursday evening, and members are just raring to go.

“I like this community,” said Suquamish resident and SCAC member Linda Brown. “I would like to see it become a stronger community.”

The committee immediately launched into plans for improving the roadways, and turning Suquamish into a walkable community. Suquamish resident and SCAC member Gail Petranek made it clear that roadways and sidewalks need to be made especially safe for students walking to and from school, and also to downtown Suquamish.

“A priority is to create safe routes to school,” said Suquamish resident and SCAC member Sandra Senter. “We have a lot of ideas on how to increase walkability in the community.”

Not only would this create a safer community, but a nicer looking and healthier area, Senter said, adding that while the project is centered around the school, it would reverberate back into the community.

Suquamish resident and SCAC member Bennie Armstrong added that in 2009, Suquamish will be in the spotlight for the annual regional canoe journey, as it will be the final stop on the route.

“This year, Suquamish is the second to last stop for tribal journeys,” Armstrong said. “It’s a dress rehearsal for 2009, when Suquamish will be the host.”

This was also motivation to start immediate planning to improve the Suquamish roads and sidewalks.

“I’m not leaving until my sidewalks are done,” Petranek said, backing her pledge by signing up for a three-year term on the committee.

Though the SCAC meeting focused on how to best improve the community, there was some routine business conducted as well as Suquamish resident and SCAC member Kevin McDonald was elected as chairman, Suquamish resident Frances Malone was elected vice-chair, and Senter was elected secretary.

McDonald gave a brief history of the effort behind getting the committee started.

“In 1992 we had our first meeting,” he said. “Forty-five people showed up. We got involved in a plan for Suquamish, but not much happened after that. In 1998 or 1999, we had our second meeting. Of the 11 people, one common name came up, and that was myself.”

After that meeting, McDonald said, again, nothing happened. The third meeting was the first SCAC meeting, and again the only repeat name was his own.

“In 14 years, we’ve seen a bit of slowness,” McDonald said. “The goal is for us to be here one year from today. If we can do that, we will have made great leaps. The other groups relied on one individual to provide energy, and that person would eventually grow tired. My hope is the group will support the energy.”

The group, energized by McDonald’s words, was soon a flurry of excitement and plans. Department of Community Development planning manager Scott Diener introduced the group to the by-laws adopted for the committee, and then stepped back into the advisory role that he will take at future meetings.

SCAC meetings will take place at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of the month, with the next location to be announced.