Block Club Blowout: First Annual Citizen Empowerment Conference

I once read something about a Ladder of Citizen Participation and this announcement inspired me to look it up again. Apparently it is well known in the social sciences. Here's a short version:

http://www.partnerships.org.uk/part/arn.htm

I'm not convinced that this conference is more than a lowly 4 or 5 on the ladder.

Note: It's the "Call and Resolution Center ..." Not CALLING and Resolution Center.

I'm really starting to believe that Mayor Brown doesn't have a clue at all (I know, I know.) If he really wants to help the neighborhoods he would get CITY HALL in order and make it easier for homeowners to accomplish what they need to do to make their neighborhoods better. Instead of the run around you get at city hall, the misinformation, fees, inspections, fines and hassles; make a system (or copy one) the works with homeowners and neighborhoods, not impede their progress.

One of the main problems facing a homeowner is getting the funding to fix major problems with their house when they occur. They have to live with these problems until funding can be obtained. Sometimes the problems continue long enough that the house is lost. I’m mainly talking about roofs and house exteriors that will protect the structure. Instead of sending out the Goon Squad with their threats, fines et al, how about starting a program that has low or no interest loans for home improvement/stabilization. Grants to beautify homes in a neighborhood is finite, a no interest loan would keep funding available for others to use as the funds get repaid.

Really Mayor Brown, think outside the box and do something for our city. How much is this “Photo Opp” costing the city? It could have been some seed money to make a few loans in a neighborhood.

Being sponsored by City Hall in an election year, this all-day event (with a free lunch) will likely be highly 'political'.

On the other hand, it can be a real opportunity for potential leaders to learn how city govt works (or doesn't work) at the neighborhood level. And an opportunity to meet, & form relationships with, other potential community leaders.

One important test will be whether there is any discussion of how endless massive public subsidies for "newbuild" housing citywide (often in places where nobody lived when Bflo's population was over 2X larger), aggravating a massive housing surplus in a steadily shrinking city with about 25,000 housing vacancies makes things in neighborhoods much worse, not better.

**** Kern