An Iowa city's population is down to close to a thousand people in the last year, but the city of Clinton wants to give people new reasons to stay. People are voting on a new direction for the community, it starts with a statement.
David Rose reads carefully over his options then votes, Wednesday night, September 4, 2013.
"The future of Clinton is really important to me and I'd like to see it grow," said Rose.
It wasn't your typical paper ballot and what he was voting for wouldn't be considered a big deal to most. The public got to vote on a mission and vision statement for Clinton. It will be the first one the city has ever had.
"I think that it was just missed look. We thought we had one and it just went from city council to city council we always thought it was in place," said city council member, Maggie Klaes.
Something neighbors say Clinton needs to get them back on the right track...
"It just defines who we are and what we strive to be," said Clinton resident, Carolyn Tallett.
Their biggest struggle is population. Since 2010 they've lost more than 880 people, now sitting at 27,772.
"We had two major companies leave town and when there's no work, people have to leave," said Klaes.
More jobs and more attractions are what some think will help the city grow.
"We take it for granted as citizens, I think we could do more with the river."
Plus some new faces in leadership.
"We have some people who are running for council that are new this year," said Tallett.
People living in Clinton say it's a step in the right direction.
"It's starting to change, the attitudes are changing, we're working on growth," said Rose.
The city council will release the results of the vote, during it's next meeting on September 12, 2013.