[Durham INC] Durham boards and commissions

Thu Dec 16 21:24:20 EST 2010

I have served (without compensation) on boards, commissions, committees
and authorities in Durham (County and City). One of the great things about
being involved is that regular citizens DO MAKE a difference. Most of
these are non-political. So even if you represent some organized group,
when you walk through the door, you work with the group to make a
difference in Durham. My philosophy is, that even though you may not care
enough to get involved, if what we're doing is better for me (and those in
the group as a unit), then it will be better for everyone (regardless if
you even care). On the CCIP, I have seen the City really listens to what
we say even though we are not recognized or appointed by Council or
Commissioners. We have affected the scoring of Capital Improvement
projects as we developed a scoring system the City now uses as well. The
move by the City Manager toward creating a maintenance fund for street
resurfacing came from us (you heard about this fund during the last
election when the bond issue was brought forth; a maintenance fund in
general was our goal), and generally a Citizen's input is valued (or so it
feels most of the time). We (the big we here) spend a great deal of time
on a monthly basis working toward making Durham and beyond a better place
for everyone with our volunteerism to government. And without all of the
citizen volunteers giving of their time and talents to do so, it's no
telling what sort of place we would all be living in. I think we all do it
because we care. If not in a particular area of caring like Josie, then
just in general areas of concern to the volunteers. Sometimes we are asked
to serve and we just do... I grew up hearing the expression that if you
don't care about where you live, sooner or later you'll find yourself
living some place really don't care about.

There's even a taxi cab commission that few have probably ever heard of.
Howard Clement chairs it. Last time I attended one of their meetings they
were discussing a fee increase. I spoke, giving my opinion that buying old
gas-guzzling police cruisers for cheap, painting them and calling them a
taxi would do nothing to increase fuel mileage (it was during a recent
time when fuel prices were skyrocketing and that is why they were seeking
a fare increase). Did it change things or bring forth some sort of new
mandate? I saw a Toyota taxi last week... And I've never even ridden in a
taxi in Durham...

Randy Pickle

> As far as I am aware there are only two citizen boards that members are
> minimally 'compensated',  the remaining boards and commissions are all
> volunteer (read NO $$$).
>
> While there are some 'costs' for these boards to meet (facilities usually
> at a city or county location) and/or staff time to support their work,  in
> every case that I am aware of THEY ARE CHAIRED AND FILLED WITH MEMBERS
> THAT ARE CONCERNED CITIZENS REVOLVING AROUND AND ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE
> FOCUS OR MISSION OF THAT BOARD OR COMMISSION.
>
> While I can obviously understand the need for the governor to reduce costs
> and expenditures statewide,  citizen voluntary involvement in these boards
> and commissions (at least here in Durham) are worth multiples of their
> costs in educational and participatory roles they provide us by
> intertwining both public servants and residents in solving just about
> every problem you can think of.
>
> But this is just my personal opinion.
>
> mike shiflett
>
> ps-BOA and HAB
>
>
>   ----- Original Message -----
>   From: Josie McNeil
>   To: freespirit0623 at earthlink.net
>   Cc: inc listserv
>   Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 11:31 AM
>   Subject: [Durham INC] Durham boards and commissions
>
>
>   Dear Julie,
>
>   I am in my second term on Durham's Open Space and Trails Commission
> (durhamost.org).  I was led in this direction by going through the
> Durham Neighborhood College.  I highly recommend the Neighborhood
> College to  all people who want to understand better how our City and
> County function.
>
>   All Durham boards and commissions meet regularly and are open to the
> public.  The meeting times and locations can be found at the city
> website durhamnc.gov.  I think the more that non-members attend, the
> better.  Please join us on the 3rd Wednesday of eny month at 7pm on the
> 2nd floor of City Hall.
>
>   Josie McNeil Owen
>   Lochaven Hills Neighborhood, north Durham
>
>
>   On Thu, Dec 16, 2010 at 11:22 AM, Free Spirit
> <freespirit0623 at earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>     Yes, I would have to say that anyone who isn't paying attention to
> Durham's boards and commissions isn't paying full attention to Durham.
>  The fact that so few pay attention to most of these entities strikes
> me as a much bigger opportunity for mischief than a cut of any number.
>  In any case, I don't think a number tells you very much.  If 90% of
> the boards and commissions are providing little to no value, then a
> 2/3 cut is not nearly enough.  If 90% are providing good value, then a
> 1/4 cut is too much.
>
>     I would be interested to hear what knowlege and experience people on
> this listserv have of the different boards and commissions, in Durham
> and/or at the state level.  I myself am in the middle of a learning
> experience on this issue.
>
>     Julie Omohundro
>     Durham, North Carolina
>     freespirit0623 at earthlink.net
>
>
>
>
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>       From: inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org
> [mailto:inc-list-bounces at rtpnet.org] On Behalf Of Pat Carstensen
>       Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2010 7:48 AM
>       To: inc listserv
>
>       Subject: [Durham INC] Governor's plan to cut the number of
> commissions
>
>
>
>
>
>       Now, I suppose some of the boards are really antiquated or
> duplicates (I just found out Durham has a Boxing and Wrestling
> Commission because new members were just appointed to it -- who
> knew?) but a decrease by 2/3 seems like an immense opportunity for
> mischief.
>
>
>       Any thoughts on what boards or commissions we might need to be vocal
> about supporting?  Or just re-definitions of boards that are even
> more insidious?
>
>
>       Regards, pat
>
>
>
>     _______________________________________________
>     Durham INC Mailing List
>     list at durham-inc.org
>     http://www.durham-inc.org/list.html
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
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>

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