INC NEWS - Neighborhood Advocate: request for more information

[Ronnie Griffin]

Let's please remain on topic and the very astute questions raised by Mike. 
This is vital matter for  all in Durham and our region.  It appears there 
are differences in understanding and even the Neighborhood Advocate may not 
be the best or final name for this function.  Will it be one person or a 
staff, etc.?

Ronnie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <bragin at nc.rr.com>
To: "Mike - Hotmail" <mwshiflett at hotmail.com>
Cc: <inc-list at DurhamINC.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 15, 2008 4:04 PM
Subject: Re: INC NEWS - Neighborhood Advocate: request for more information


> "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? "
>
> I don't believe this is entirely accurate. Although the "ward" system 
> requires that the candidate reside within the "ward" all of our elections 
> are actually at-large. That is, even the "ward" representatives are voted 
> on by the entire city.
>
>
> ---- Mike - Hotmail <mwshiflett at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> =============
> 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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>
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