INC NEWS - Neighborhood Advocate: request for more information

[Mike - Hotmail]

John,

Would it be possible for someone to post again the role and responsibilities 
that are being asked of the Neighborhood Advocate again?

For instance,  I've read that this person would report directly to the City 
Manager.

If this is correct,  would this person have the authority to overrule other 
Department Heads (Planning, Neighborhood Improvement Services, Housing and 
Community Development) in their role as a neighborhood advocate?

Which 'voice' would the neighborhood advocate represent?   The neighborhood 
association?  The board of an NA?  The board of an HOA?
over what the staff recommends.   Is there a formal procedure that 
neighborhoods need to follow to give the Neighborhood Advocate the ability 
to speak for them?   What if a neighborhood isn't organized?  Can a few 
people speak for a neighborhood without some sort of authority to do so?

Where does the Planning Commission recommendations place if there's a 
difference in opinions between the two?

What happens if a neighborhood is split or still isn't sure about what's in 
it's best interest in a timely manner?   Which position will a NA 
'represent'.

I've also read that it's been suggested that this position be a legal 
person, have legal training or be an attorney.   If so,  isn't there a 
direct conflict of interest if they are being paid by the city but 
supposedly representing neighborhood interests as their primary job 
responsibility?

A white paper describing this initiative would be very helpful.

Aren't our elected officials supposed to function in the role of 
representing their community?   Who's voice should be heard over the other 
if there's a difference in opinions?   Should a person who's hired to fill a 
position of Neighborhood Advocate hold trump cards over the City Council 
(one of which is our Mayor)?

Half of our City Council members (actually 3 of 7) are elected via a Ward 
system.   What's the communication channel for this person if there's a 
difference in opinion between them and the NA?

Where's our Neighborhood Improvement Services Community Resource personnel 
fit into this new scheme?  Don't they have some of the same job functions 
that's being proposed for the NA?

While I agree there's been some phenomenal missteps lately (i.e. Turnage 
Heights neighborhood warehouse)  adding another layer of administration to 
the already complex mix of departments and organizational hierarchy, 
taking the time to make sure we all understand what's being asked of this 
person in advance would definitely be appreciated.

Mike Shiflett

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Schelp" <bwatu at yahoo.com>
To: <inc-list at DurhamINC.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 9:26 AM
Subject: INC NEWS - Plan to shorten development review written by 
staff,developers & local professionals (planners, engineers & architects)


>A comment on Bull City Rising says this plan to
> undercut the Planning Commission (and neighborhoods)
> was hatched out of a series of meetings held between
> "staff, developers, and local professionals (planners,
> engineers, and architects)."
>
> One must wonder why the neighborhoods were left out of
> the process?
>
> One must also begin to wonder why Mayor Bell is
> pushing plan that was created without neighborhood
> involvement.
>
> Again, many of the plan's flaws, now being exposed,
> could have been addressed had a Neighborhood Advocate
> been at the table.
>
> ~John
>
>
>
>
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