INC NEWS - Let's give it a chance. Let's see what can be improved &work to make it better...

[Melissa Rooney]

The Neighborhood Advocate needs to be present at the
meeting required between the developer and the
community. Those community residents present would be
the ones whose voices are heard, just like it is now.
Those with an NA or BOD would/should have a community
awareness committee (or other appointed person) who
would attend this meeting, but if they don't then the
NA can only go on the concerns of those who bother to
show up at the meeting. 

At the meeting the NA can introduce him/herself and
make it clear that (s)he is here to help the
neighborhood with any questions or concerns they have.
(S)he might even suggest some potential
problems/concerns that the neighborhood may want to
think about in relation to the development plan before
them. This was done by a planning commissioner at last
week's meeting, when she warned neighbors that they
should check the development plan's rights of way, or
they may find that they lose a good portion of their
front yard to a new road.

At this time, or say 1 -2 weeks later, the
neighborhood organization rep or simply the group of
neighbors present, can officially give the NA the
ability to speak on their behalf. Or they can simply
use the NA as a go-to person from who to get
information and assistance, and speak for themselves
at the upcoming PC and BOCC or CC meetings. Chances
are that, even with an NA, neighbors will need to
attend these meetings to show their sincere concerns
over whatever issues they have.

Of course there may be several neighborhoods who are
concerned about the project, in which case they will
each need to give the NA official permission to speak
for them.

Of course, the NA can still inform the PC, Planning
Dept, BOCC/CC of all neighbor/citizen groups'
concerns, without directly/officially 'speaking for
them.' And if there is a disagreement of neighbors,
the NA can present both sides of the coin. It's all
about communication and transparency.

I don't think the NA needs to 'rank' with the PC or
the Planning Department. They just need to be the
voice and go-between for Durham citizens' concerns,
however many neighborhoods/groups/etc. are concerned.
This would mean that they would explain the process
and the stance/reasoning of the PC and Planning Dept.
to concerned citizens, and present those citizens'
concerns at both PC and BOCC/CC meetings. At the end
of the day, the process is what it is, and the PC,
Planning Department, and elected officials still trump
the NA.

Is there a direct conflict of interest if the NA is a
lawyer being paid by the city but supposedly
representing neighborhood interests as their primary
job responsibility?

I don't think so. I mean, is there a direct conflict
of interest if someone who works in the development
board sits on the Planning Commission? I very rarely
see any paid position that doesn't represent a
potential conflict of interest. If the
neighborhoods/citizens are unhappy with the manner in
which the NA represents their interest, they can
certainly inform elected officials as such and
request/demand a new NA.

Just my 10 cents...

Melissa

Melissa Rooney
Fairfield Rep
mmr121570 at yahoo.com




--- Mike - Hotmail <mwshiflett at hotmail.com> wrote:

> WE DON'T WANT TO REPEAT THE PAST!!!
> 
> But before moving forward with inserting a
> Neighborhood Advocate into this 
> years budget let's sit down and work out the details
> first on HOW this 
> position will benefit the community.
> 
> Right now the process can be very intimidating and
> confusing to newcomers 
> (even experiences ones).
> 
> As Mr. Pickle, Pat and a number of others on this
> listserve have proven, 
> this forum as just one of the ways these discussions
> should take place to 
> improve it.
> 
> Ignoring questions with euphemisms about WHY some
> feel a Neighborhood 
> Advocate needs to be created doesn't answer those
> concerns that have already 
> been raised.
> 
> Which 'voice' would the neighborhood advocate
> represent over what the staff 
> recommends or how the Planning Commission votes ?  
> The neighborhood 
> association?  The board of an NA?  The board of an
> HOA?
> 
> 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
> rank if there's a 
> difference in opinions between what the neighborhood
> wants, the Planning 
> Department says is ok and City Council has to vote
> on?
> 
> 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'.
> 
> Is there a direct conflict of interest if the NA is
> a lawyer being paid by 
> the city but supposedly representing neighborhood
> interests as their primary 
> job
> responsibility?
> 
> Aren't our elected officials (staff and the vision
> of the Comprehensive 
> Plan) supposed to function in the role of
> representing our community?
> 
> 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?
> 
> Why did the OP/ED authors attack NIS capabilities?
> 
> How can someone say that these questions are red
> herrings?
> 
> Mike
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "John Schelp" <bwatu at yahoo.com>
> To: <inc-list at DurhamINC.org>
> Sent: Friday, May 16, 2008 2:00 PM
> Subject: INC NEWS - Let's give it a chance. Let's
> see what can be improved 
> &work to make it better...
> 
> 
> > The point I'm trying to make (again) is we don't
> know
> > what final form the Neighborhood Advocate will
> take.
> >
> > And won't know until getting input from community
> > members, elected officials, staff and others (well
> > beyond this listserv).
> >
> > Frankly, I'm not going get into a tit-for-tat over
> > questions that are red herrings...
> >
> > Will the Neighborhood Advocate hold trump cards
> over
> > the Mayor and Council? Of course not.
> >
> > People who ignore history are condemned to repeat
> it.
> >
> > As we said in support of the Neighborhood College
> > (below), let's give it a chance. Let's see what
> can be
> > improved and work to make it better -- before
> jumping
> > out of the gate and undermining the idea.
> >
> > After all, who would want to keep the
> neighborhoods in
> > the dark?
> >
> > best,
> > John
> >
> > ****
> >
> > Subject: Neighborhood College will help more
> people
> > get involved in the local process
> > Date: Tue, 3 Jun 2003 16:10
> >
> > We have people that would cut the funding for the
> > Neighborhood College.
> >
> > Why would they cut something that has not develop
> an
> > budget. There will be a
> > start up cost. Durham should not wasting money.
> How do
> > the cutter know how
> > much it should cost without a history. They say
> that
> > they support the
> > program, but are willing to cut funding for the
> > Neighborhood College before
> > it's get started. They can't have it both ways.
> The
> > City Manger looked at
> > the cost of other cities Neighborhood College and
> came
> > up with a number. I
> > respect the opinion of other, let's not be a penny
> > wise and a pond foolish.
> > Please read John Schelp responds below. He is on
> point
> > and we need to send a
> > clear message to the City, we want this program
> and
> > spend what it take to
> > make it happen. This decision need to be propone
> for a
> > year, when we can evaluate ways to cut cost.
> >
> > Your Servant
> > Melvin L. Whitley
> >
> > ****
> >
> >> From what I understand, the speakers would not be
> > paid
> >> (rather, classes would be taught by volunteer
> staff,
> >> elected officials and volunteers active in the
> >> community). According to the N&O, funding would
> help
> >> support transportation costs, box meals and class
> >> materials (not everyone in the Durham community
> has
> > a computer).
> >>
> >> Attendees would pay $25 each (to help off-set
> costs
> >> and encourage participation in all the classes).
> > There
> >> may indeed be ways to cut costs (and we can and
> > should
> >> look at those ways once the college is
> functioning).
> >>
> >> But I don't think it was helpful to say $5000 was
> > "too
> >> much" without first speaking with the folks who
> > worked
> >> so hard to get the Neighborhood College this far.
> >>
> >> All five PAC's, Durham Literacy Council, East
> Durham
> >> Fair Share, People's Alliance, Durham Committee
> for
> >> the Affairs of Black People, Durham Affordable
> > Housing
> >> Coalition, InterNeighborhood Council, Durham
> Voter
> >> Coalition, Northeast Central Economic Development
> 
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