In a message dated 4/2/04 3:21:56 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:No, Melani, the facts are very, very clear. The PHC is required to conduct three public meetings. But these meetings are conducted to evaluate the factual accuracy of the proposal's inventory, and the worthiness of preserving the neighborhood. The PHC is under _no_ formal requirement to ask whether the neighborhood _wants_ it or not. In short, even if 90% of the neighborhood was opposed to the designation, the PHC is free to designate _anyway_, if it holds the meetings and decides that the neighborhood is preservable. (Matter of fact, the PHC could even _disallow_ discussion of topics other than the proposal's accuracy.)
<< Recall that one of the biggest problems with the HD designation is that it does _not_ require democratic review or consultation-- all it requires is a bunch of motivated advocates, money, and the PHC's approval. Comments such as yours above ignore such facts.
>>
THIS IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE. There is a long process in the current ordinance which involves notification of all owners, and public meetings where they are to voice their opinions, once the Philadelphia Historical Commission is ready to work on the nomination. That process takes about a year. There will be plenty of time for all to weigh in. You and others keep pretending not to know this, and you disseminate false information to the public to scare our neighbors. Your bending of the facts is appalling. I am not going to debate you on line when you are dishonest about the process.
This is an important point-- especially given that the people making the decision are not subject to democratic review. It's a major deficiency in the designation process, and one which Councilwoman Blackwell's proposed legislation attempts to rectify. Those of us who have criticized the proposal have tried to be very clear about this.
But many HD advocates replied with answers such as Melani's, or Jim Lilly's-- that these public meetings are equal to a full-neighborhood decision-making process. _They are not_, and Jim and Melani are obfuscating an important issue.
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