Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – You’ve heard the saying “make the best of a bad situation.”

In the nearly one year since Sonya Massey was shot and killed, allegedly by a then-Sangamon County Sheriffs Deputy, Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter says he’s thought about that of sort of thing a lot.

“Our entire community instinctively asked the age-old question, ‘What good can come from this evil?'” said Van Meter.  “Unfortunately, evil raises its ugly head all too often in all too many places.  As a consequence, the experience of other communities that had suffered similar tragedies, offered us a partial answer to how to transcend this evil experience.”

Van Meter spoke during the annual State of Greater Springfield event Tuesday, hosted by the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce.  He says he came up with several important such solutions.

“First, listen,” said Van Meter.  “Listen intently to the voices raised in anguish.  Next, empower those voices to formulate concrete suggestions.  And, finally, act conscientiously to implement those suggestions that are wise and well-considered.”

That led Van Meter to praise the Massey Commission for the work it’s been doing the last six-plus months, even as some of those who attend commission meetings have been critical of their work, and of Van Meter.

“Have its actions and recommendations been flawless?  No.  No human endeavor can meet that standard,” said Van Meter.  But, under the leadership of SIU Dean of Medicine Jerry Kruse, and retired State Police Officer [sic] JoAnn Johnson, the commission has conducted itself with dignity and dispatch.”

Van Meter says the commission has made “a slew” of recommendations, many of which have been approved by the current County Sheriff, Paula Crouch.

He also spoke to a number of proposed infrastructure and streetscape initiatives, including what he says is a $73 million investment by the county into downtown Springfield.