I'm not interested in getting heavily involved in this thread, but have a few
thoughts to contribute based on my 7 years (1993-1999) as a policy board
member, one year (1997?) of which was served as policy board chair (for this
I should be assumed into heaven without dying). Incidentally, my year as
chair was the year that POP melted down.
First, I have found it interesting - and not too surprising - that
neighborhood organizations apparently have a tendency to mirror the capacity
and style of the neighborhoods themselves, for better and worse. Make of this
what you will.
Then, the record will show that some NRP policy board members and the ED
waged a heroic struggle to get a meaningful universal audit policy passed.
Resistance came mainly from City interests as I recall.
Also, the business of training - call it capacity building if you will - for
n'hood organizations is a mixed bag when citizen participation is concerned.
There is a fine line - at least in neighborhood eyes - between providing
needed organizational and skill training and exercising inappropriate control
over citizen participation groups. This perpetuates lots of tension between
NRP leadership and the n'hoods.
For those of you who enjoy a good read - and who share the view that truth is
stranger than fiction, let me suggest that you get a copy of the 50+page POP
audit management letter. It is public record and probably available at the
NRP office (673-5140) or through CM Niland's office (673-2206). No doubt the
management letter for Near North and Willard Hays is also available from NRP
or Cherryhomes office.
The struggle between responsible oversight and neighborhood
self-determination will not soon submit to a simple solution.
Ann Berget
Kingfield 10-10
