Thanks for getting back. My name is Guy Laren. I have been disappointed by all of the negative energy on the Listserv lately by both groups of people who have one seemingly unifying goal and passion-- a love of UC. I thought that my proposal to create this NID (or my proposed "CID") by funding it the same way that Penn had proposed (the model already exists in someone's archives). If I remember exactly the amount that would be raised was less than $1,5 million per year. I believe that we could get commitments for that amount by going to the very people who would have been taxed by the NID and then get people who are currently contributing to the UCD and get close to that figure in a very short time (might have to borrow some of it on peoples' promise to pay). Then we would have our CID/NID/BID, but it would be run by the community. I see this type of entity as a community based one from the start. I like to use the anaylogy of colonial times, because it is where many of our models for this community/village stuff started. If there were a threat in a colonial village the leaders would find a way to get the Villagers to commit to enhanced patrols. I'm sure they would do the same for health issues. In UC's case we have the City providing for heath and security, but it is inadequate. Shouldn't the community run their own supplemental services? It sounds daunting, but one of the special aspects of our community is the surplus of intelligent and committed residents. Guy Laren
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