Nikki Carlson wrote: > Is the idea of the original post to take away participation > from those who show up and concentrate decision-making elsewhere?
The idea is to have government funding decisions made by proportional representation rather than special interests (can't get much more special than giving power to those who just show up). This isn't a new concept, it's very similar to "equal protection under the law." > This seems like it doesn't address the core problem he's > pointed out, which is we need MORE citizen participation > in order to improve our neighborhoods. How does taking the > opportunity away from those who choose to be actively > involved at the neighborhood level increase participation? I am able to choose my government representatives. I am unable to have any say about who shows up and decides how to spend my tax dollars in my own neighborhood. Case in point (and inherent NRP problem). Bill Kahn posts the following to the List > Michael Atherton wrote: "The Children's Museum moved to St. Paul." > > Bill Kahn corrects: > > The Children's Museum has always been in St. Paul near Como Park. As it turns out Bill Kahn doesn't know what he's talking about, as happens often at PPERRIA meetings (though not necessarily Mr. Kahn). Do these errors EVER get corrected at PPERRIA meetings. NO! They are just perpetuated, because the ill-informed, rude, abrasive, and discourteous show-ups are unwilling to respect minority voices. In one case there was false information included in the minutes of a previous meeting. We pointed this out and even played an audio recording of the previous meeting to verify that the minutes were false. We were then accused of altering the tape and they voted to approve the inaccurate minutes. Are there any legitimate protections to guard against these abuses? NO! Grievances are heard by the same people who perpetuate false information and maintain and protect the NRP. > There is not�a "quick fix" to�shifting away from apathy and > disconnected neighbors... we need a�long-term strategy that� > will continue to bring MORE participation in at the neighborhood > level.� What if I don't want to participate? I do now only out of self-defense. What if I want to spend time with my family rather than being insulted and abused by my neighbors? > As the process continues to become better known, even through > criticisms such as those below, more people will learn > that YES, I CAN have a significant say in what happens in MY > neighborhood... that is�a VERY GOOD direction to take.� > I disagree with the suggestion that somehow handing off this > decision-making to elected officials makes the process > better. Let the neighbors have a say... that will lead to > increased neighborhood involvement over the long-term. You want a "quick fix" for NRP? 1) Elect neighborhood representatives for each block in the general elections; one person one vote. But, noooooo this won't serve the interests of whose who "show up" because they'd have to have their credentials publicly vetted. The show-ups could still come to the neighborhood meetings, they just wouldn't be able to dominate them. 2) Provide a residents' Bill of Rights. 3) Have grievances adjudicated by independent parties. None these things will happen because the NRP is not really about neighborhood participation, it's about putting power into the hands of the few and bypassing the many. It's just a different few than those we get to elect. Michael Atherton Prospect Park REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
