Jay outlines some very good points about these kinds of issues and neighborhood organizations, and he's right that it is not possible for a board to notify the neighborhood for every little variance.
>For me, the most important job of the neighborhood organization board >(snip) >to make sure that the community, and especially those >living most closely to the proposed parking lot and those most effected >by the lot, hear the proposal and say whether or not they want it. I agree that it is vitally important in a situation like Ace Hardware for nearby neighbors to be thoroughly informed. But letting those living closest to such proposed developments completely control the outcome opens the door for a lot of "not in my back yard" kind of politics. I do believe that the entire neighborhood needs to have a voice, not just those closest to a project. >The neighborhood organization then reports the vote to the >councilmembers, along with an endorsement or the results. This could spark a good debate about the pros and cons of representative government. The neighborhood boards are elected to work on behalf of the entire neighborhood - like city council members for the city, etc. It seems to me we have decided that this is an orderly way to deal with business. To start putting certain, specific issues before the neighborhood for voting would seem to me to be quite unwieldy. >Often those living on the block have information or a perspective that >the board alone does not have. Very true, and a good board will listen carefully and consider any thoughtful comments. But the board's role is to speak for the entire neighborhood and to make a decision that represents the best interests of everyone, not just those living closest. One other problem in trying to discern the sentiments of a neighborhood or nearby residents is that those most affected by certain proposals - often those who are opposed - are at times much more motivated to become active about the issue. This means that meetings can become overwhelmed by the group that is more organized. (the same holds for letter writing campaigns and phone trees.) A board that is drawn from the entire neighborhood can be potentially more objective, and I believe that objectivity is vital to situations like Ace Hardware. Paul Lohman Lynnhurst Paul Lohman [EMAIL PROTECTED] _______________________________________ 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
