First let me note that as a new NRP Policy Board Rep (Revitalization) I greatly appreciate the NRP discussion(s) on this list. I believe that they will play a positive role in the future of NRP.
I was the lone neighborhood representative voting against the resolution to set aside 2 million dollars (of the 4 million set aside for affordable housing in 2003) to establish a mortgage insurance program. I did so not so much on the merits of the program but on principle and because I did not think an appropriate process was followed. Let me explain. I believe that the NRP was established, in part, to foster neighborhood-based planning and the development of neighborhood-based solutions to the concerns and problems found in those neighborhoods. NRP is based on neighborhood empowerment and making spending decisions is key to this. It is not the Board's appropriate role, in my opinion, to decide how to spend funds by establishing specific programs on its own that it may think are best for the neighborhoods. It is the role of the Policy Board to be guardians of fair, open and democratic processes that lead to neighborhood decisions that are in keeping with the goals and objectives of the NRP. This mortgage insurance proposal, however worthy it may be, was never reviewed or considered by a single neighborhood group. Monday was, in fact, the first time I (and most other Board Members I suspect) ever saw the proposal. No time or effort was given to gather community input or support. Particularly when funds are tight and future funding is in question it seems especially important that we work to keep as much funds and as much funding control as possible at the neighborhood level. The resolution passed on Monday (if it goes on to meet with City Council approval) pulls 1/2 of all the money set aside to fund neighborhood-based affordable housing proposals in 2003 off the table even before the request for proposals has even been submitted. This program, initiated and introduced by a Policy Board Member ( however good intentioned he is,) never went through any kind of review or scoring in any kind of fair and competitive selection process. Certainly creative ways to help folks purchase homes who want to buy them, but may have difficulty doing so, need to be found, established and administered. I just have my doubts that that is the appropriate role of NRP, especially at this time, under these circumstances. I do plan to post more in the days to come, but as a closing to this message I just want to let folks know that I am concerned more generally. I want to send a work of caution. In my two meetings of the Policy Board and many discussions about NRP over the past few months, the divisions and tensions are undeniable. I think that they are also, at times, detrimental. I am convinced that the only way we are going to find our way through the current crisis for NRP and the future of neighborhood-driven planning is by working together....not by digging in our heals, picking a side and working against one another. There are "teams" and factions forming or formed -- "the neighborhoods," "the City Council," "The Policy Board," as well as neighborhood critics of NRP. By and large all of us want to do the right thing and make this a better City and by and large what we think and have to say has merit. We need to listen to and understand eachother. For my part I am going to do my best to be open minded, to listen, be respectful, be serious, be clear and strong about my views and vision, communicate these as best I can and work hard together with all to find the best solutions possible. Stay tuned... in peace and cooperation, Cam Gordon NRP Policy Board Revitalization Neighborhood Representative p.s. Please feel free to email or call me at (612) 296-0579 with comments or questions anytime. Cam Gordon Seward Neighborhood, Minneapolis, Ward 2 SD 59 (612) 332-6210, 296-0579, 339-2452 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ 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
