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Citizens, I received a response from the FOCP President regarding my request for an open community meeting to get information about, and have discussions about, the new park rental fees and permit requirements. She said she would give it to the Board, but did not personally think that FOCP was the appropriate group to host such an open meeting. She said it was "political." I really think that response proves a point I have been stressing for years about civic associations. Civic associations are fundamentally clubs. In their worst form, they function like insular gangs, with loyalty to the gang, becoming the golden rule. Years ago, I suggested a new local group solely dedicated to facilitating town hall or community forum meetings. I was heckled at that time for calling for more meetings. We do not need more meetings, but we do need community discussions about the issues facing us. We need different types of meetings based on particapatory democracy, and transparency. The Occupy movement has shown those principles used for GA discussions, and has shown how vastly superior are the results of citizen participation. Our society moved backwards for 30 years, and more positive thought, information, and policy deliberation occurred in a few short months of GA's than in those previous 30 years. That is why encampments were brutalized around the country. None of us should ever be forced to go to the meetings of these civic clubs attempting to drag out the truth, amidst misinformation and secret plots. A local community forum or general assembly would stay focused on facilitation of open discussions only, and not upon advancing a corporate agenda. It would be established as the first place any entity would offer any plans, which should be brought to the attention of the neighborhood. And any entity that instead brought secret deals and a divide and conquer strategy to the neighborhood with the intention of excluding public participation would be clearly exposed. Time after time, the corporate entities attacking our neighborhoods claim that civic associations are "the community" and that they provide the mechanism for community discussions. But that is simply not true as the FOCP response makes clear! Residents don't want to fight with civic associations, but we can't expect thes clubs to ever be reformed. I've personally seen attempts to reform groups like the Friends of Clark Park, but the most which is ever accomplished is a temporary stay. It's time to allow the civic clubs to function as civic clubs. And it is time to make the important meetings of the community include the voices of all the people. THIS IS NOT A BUSINESS INEFFICIENCY, BUT INSTEAD ALWAYS LEADS TO THE BEST PLANS FOR A COMMUNITY. And it will keep us from the abuses of power, and the divide and conquer tactics which are continuously used against all of us. To save our Philadelphia parks and our community, it's time we plan for West Philly GA's or community forums. Let's allow the civic gangs to fade away or concentrate on bake sales. I'm forwarding this to the FOCP President as a courtesy. Sincerely, Glenn, a citizen ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see |
