OK, first off everyone is right. Eric has explained the permanent members of
the CIB and Gloria has spoken of how easy it is to be appointed to the Task
forces that review and rank all CIB proposals each year.
And, Caty has rightfully spoken about the "whiteness" of the District Councils.
But, I think Caty is even more correct that the District Councils tend to be
dominated by home owners. Where District Councils have been more "colorful"
have been the areas of the City that have had long standing middle class
communities of color. District 3, 7, and 8 West Side, Summit U and Frogtown
have (not always, but often) been more reflective of the diversity of the
population.
There are two simple reasons why (though, I know simple answers don't answer
everything) first, District Councils are not the most visible thing in a
neighborhood, and someone usually needs to be there a while to get what they do
(small office - limitted staff). And, second, homeowners tend to stick around
longer and ultimately see some personal benefit in being involved in an
organization who's goal is to improve the neighborhood. If you are moving
every year or two, you probably aren't very concerned about how loud the
speakers will be at the proposed drive through (which could be a three hour
discussion at a district council land use committee meeting and then two more
hours at the board, then a hearing at the Planning Commissions Zoning Committee
and a rally at the City Council meeting). But, if your house value will go
down you'll go for meeting after meeting, after meeting.
This is not to say that district councils don't try to do out reach to
communities of color, immigrants or renters, most do. In District 2, (where
the minority population increased from 11% to 32% from 1990 to 2000) we have
created a Hmong outreach program attempting to make the area more inviting to
our largest minority population. But, one would think it will be some time
before the community has enough roots in the area before individuals will see
spending 2-5 nights a month being on a district council as worth their personal
investment. So, eventhough we have a dozen Hmong students in our ESL class and
75 Hmong kids in our soccer program and 52 Hmong gardeners, we only have one
Hmong board member so it looks pretty white when you count District 2.
We are also hopeful that after thirty years of being shorted in the funding
process that the district councils on the East Side and North End may be able
to also do a better out reach effort now that they will be funded closer to the
levels of the other district councils.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
live in w 7th
work in District 2 "Greater East Side"
-------------------------------------------------
JOIN the St. Paul Issues Forum TODAY:
http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/
-------------------------------------------------
POST MESSAGES HERE: [email protected]
To subscribe, modify subscription, or get your password - visit:
http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/listinfo/stpaul
Archive Address:
http://www.mnforum.org/mailman/private/stpaul/
