I have to respond to this, if for no other reason than to shed some light on this issue.
Is Mr. Luce asking if whether or not NRP funds were spent on low income people? Is he is making these recommendations based on current statistical information? If so, I would beg him to share this information with us. If he only making assertions that is different. At any rate, there is a broad spectrum of ways to spend NRP funds that benefit low income people. The investment in parks and schools that have happened have benefited children of low income families. Investments in social service, educational and recreational programming have been plenty. Projects that benefit low income families and children. Programs like Early Childhood Education, Parenting classes, Block Nurse programs, Nutritional Education classes, ESL classes. Investments in musical instruments or computer labs for schools. Investments in affordable housing developments and loans to rental property owners benefit low income people and families. Stabilizing blighted areas with investments in the housing stock and commercial corridors benefit low income families because it increases their perception of safety and sense of place. Investments in safety centers and programs and even investments in Project 504. To what degree, %, quota, etc. I don't know. That's for the analyticals. From a practical and personal application I can tell you the the low income people who live by me are so much better off than they were 5 years ago. Because we have made so many improvements to the immediate area, we have families that have stayed in their apartments or houses for that long. New families are moving in and the ones we had are staying longer. Their kids can play outside. They have a nice park and beautiful school to send their kids to. They have a vital commercial corridor on Nicollet to shop and eat at. They aren't living next door to lead laden, paint chipped or boarded buildings. The affordable housing cooperatives are in good condition. These things all benefit low income people. NRP was never designed to be a social service delivery program. In fact, the legislation is very narrow in this area and in many cases discourages it. However, NRP was always able to help neighborhoods who were creative in designing programs or projects that fit within the legal uses for NRP funds. Barb Lickness Whittier And......NRP staff to North Loop, Downtown East, Downtown West, Prospect Park, Elliot Park, Ventura Village, Midtown Phillips, East Phillips, Phillips West, Cooper, Howe, Hiawatha, Longfellow, Corcoran, Powderhorn Park, Minnehaha, Keewaydin, Morris Park, Wenonah and East Harriet Farmstead. :) ===== "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Web Hosting - Let the expert host your site http://webhosting.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
