I saw an article in the current SW Journal. I apologize for not being able to include one of those groovy blue lined addresses that all you have to do is click on and VOILA, you're somewhere else.
The article was about Whittier Alliance wishing to reallocate $173K from their NRP Phase 1 money, earmarked for various housing programs, to pay for staff, ongoing 2002 operating expenses, and NRP Phase 2 Planning. I do not want to suggest anything untoward about this action. I know little of the workings of neighborhood organizations vis a vis NRP, etc. How they are separated and all. The first paragraph of the article reads "The Whittier Alliance will hold a neighborhood meeting to ask for community support to reallocate $173K in its Neighborhood Revitalization Program budget." It doesn't say if that support means a vote It also does not mention whether or not the Whittier Alliance has to run this by NRP and since the City Council in effect approves each NRP plan, it might not have to go through the Council. As I said I do not mean to cast aspersions so much as look at procedure for such a transaction. And the idea that the money will come from "various housing programs in NRP Phase 1" as the article states does give one pause to be concerned. I thought that basically everyone in the city was scratching for bucks, bringing in their penny jars so that we could build more housing! I also don't understand staffing with some neighborhood groups. Why do some have numerous staff members while others have one or two. In some cases I can understand. For instance; in the case of Longfellow Community Council, four neighborhoods have joined forces in a natural fit. But why would Hawthorne have 7 staff as I count and Near North have only two and Jordan have only one or two? Of course combinations have their drawbacks as we are seeing with the 40th Street Greenway and this past summer with the expansion of Minnehaha Academy and the removal of 18 or 22 old oak trees. The people closest to the academy felt their votes might have weighed more than those on the other side of the community. It would take someone with Solomonic powers to mediate these disputes but I think it is necessary. I always saw that as one of the functions of the Mayor in our city. I think it is sorely lacking in our city. That is one reason I opposed R.T. for Mayor. His previous "neighborhood experience" it seemed to me to be solidifying a group of like minded people to make their voices heard, as in the case of ROAR. Well I see I've strayed from the path of my main inquiry and lapsed into streetfighting mode __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send your FREE holiday greetings online! http://greetings.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
