Good Morning, I read the letter and I agree that it seems that the McKinsey Report is heralding a return to business as usual. I went to a meeting in May put on by the Allegheny Foundation here in Tampa, of which attendees were organizations and area foundation representatives. When I mentioned that I was from Minneapolis and had worked for the NRP they were very impressed with our program, citing it as the cr�me de la cr�me of neighborhood revitalization programs in the country. It may have a few kinks (what program doesn't) but it is still one of the best.
IMHO, what I feel is an underlying factor also is that when neighborhood folks get involved in the decision making process, they take ownership, which is wonderful. With that ownership comes the realization that public officials REALLY DO work for them, which is also wonderful. This was evident in the last election, and in the way folks are currently following the thoughts, actions and money trails of the public officials. I do not believe, however, that some public officials are comfortable with that. They then have to share ownership in a domain in which they previously thought was theirs. Our lives. No longer can they make decisions that won't be questioned. They see it as not too wonderful. Oh well. I say keep working toward a more effective governmental process, but don't let NRP be sacrificed to the wolves. By the way, I like the word wonderful. I liked Jimmy Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life." That movie in which he was going to kill himself because he felt down and out and thought it did not matter if he were alive, was, in disguise, a lesson in community organizing. The town, and its residents, would have been much different had he not involved, trusted and believed in them and they him. Think about it. Pamela Taylor (Former NRP Specialist giving her two cents worth from Tampa) -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Jeffrey Strand Sent: Friday, August 02, 2002 7:34 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] NRP Policy Board Letter to Mayor/City Council (McKinsey Report) NRP Policy Board Letter Sent to Mayor/City Council (McKinsey Report) I refer readers to the letter now posted to the Minneapolis NRP web site as had been requested. I want to thank Director Bob Miller and Communications Specialist Brett Feldman for their responsiveness. http://www.nrp.org/R2/News/NewsArch/2002/20020801.html Jeffrey L. Strand, NRP Policy Board Member (Shingle Creek/4th Ward) _______________________________________ 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 _______________________________________ 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
