Like many of you I have spent today talking with people about the
implications of the Tax Bill. As someone deeply committed to
neighborhood-based community development it has been a hard day. So much
that so many have committed so much to appears to be threatened. I have
found that it is important to take a deep breath and reflect on what really
"is".
We do not know all of the implications of the tax bill. We do not know what
will be the results of the dramatic changes to the property taxes and to
TIFF district. We do not know what will be the results of the dedicated work
of some MCDA and NRP staff trying to identify alternative funding sources
for NRP.
There is much that we do not know, and in an atmosphere of unknowing it is
easy to become very worried, even scared. It is an atmosphere which fuels
rumors and mis-information
What we do know is that there is a challenge in front of us. There will need
to be new coalitions, alliances and partnerships to build a consensus for
neighborhood-based community development. There is work to be done. And it
is work that we can do.
Too much work has been done, too many lives touched to throw-up our hands,
curl up and go away. Tens of thousands of people from all over Minneapolis
have been involved in their neighborhoods. Tens of thousands of people from
Brooklyn Park to Crystal, St. Louis Park to Rochester, Wilmar to Duluth are
involved in neighborhood groups just like ours, and will share our desire to
ensure that permanent funding sources for neighborhood-based community
development is identified.
In our neighborhoods we have learned how to people together, mobilize people
toward a shared vision, build effective organizations for change, -- now we
have an opportunity to work together. Neighborhood leaders from all over
the city need to come together and start the conversation about the
following:
- What are the potential sources of funding for neighborhood-based
development?
- What are the legal implications of not fulfilling round one commitments?
- How do we ensure that advocates for affordable housing and advocates for
neighborhood-based community development are allies and not competing for a
limited dollars?
- What do we want council and mayoral candidates to commit to?
- When do we want these issues considered?
- If there will be a special referendum is it better to have it on the
ballot in November with the other elections, or on the ballot alone where we
have a chance to focus on the issue?
- How do we ensure that no current programs are irreversible damaged?
- How can we work together to make other funding sources for community-based
organizations accessible to the neighborhood work?
Now is not the time to throw up our hands in dispair. We are not victims
unless we choose to be. People coming together to create safe, affordable
and livable communities is not a government program; it is about living our
lives as engaged citizens. And that has been what our neighborhood work is
been all about!
With respect,
Joseph Barisonzi
Lyndale, Ward 10
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
612.518.5536
PS: Sorry about the early post today which went unsigned.
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