Barbara Lickness wrote: > I think you are making the box too small Mike. You > cannot judge NRP participation by how many people > attend meetings. There has to be other ways to > measure participation. Participation in a neighborhood > survey or focus group is participation. Participating > in a program or project funded by NRP dollars is > participation. Attending a festival or event paid for > by NRP is participation. Using a facility paid for by > NRP is participation. > > The fact that "regular" monthly meetings in > neighborhoods is predominantly attended by white > people may be making a statement about how meetings as > a rule are interpreted by different cultures.
I think that the legislature intended that the box be small. From State Statue Section: 469.1831: "The neighborhoods must include the participation of, whenever possible, all populations and interests in each neighborhood including renters, homeowners, people of color, business owners, representatives of neighborhood institutions, youth, and the elderly." The conceptual foundation of the NRP was based on neighborhood participation, the reality is not. The reality is, as has been stated repeatedly is that, "the NRP is run by those who show up." Who shows up? Lots of White people with the time and energy to volunteer (or in some cases be paid) to act as pseudo bureaucrats . Namely, the people who are already politically active. Who does it exclude? Working people, families with small children, people who don't speak English, people who are made to feel unwanted and isolated, people who are disinterested in micromanaging their neighborhoods, the list goes on and on... Which is why I am a strong supporter of REPRESENTATIVE government. I can go to the polls once a year and help select who will be deciding where my tax dollars go. I don't have to worry that someone who I do not know, who's actions are not documented or publicized, and who is ultimately unaccountable will be deciding what kind of street light goes up in front of my house or what developer will be building government subsidized housing down the block. I want my ELECTED representative to be responsible and accountable for these decisions. I believe that the NRP is funding pump for the neighborhood activists and if the Republicans in the State House had any smarts at all, they'd kill this program quicker than you can say, "pork barrel." Michael Atherton Prospect Park _______________________________________ 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
