Neighbors, I've been studying civic associations for a long time with the intention of publishing a book based on a case study of the UC District. Now that I'm preparing a legal defense, I finally need to get off my ass and pull the book together too.
Why is the identity of committee members important when neighborhood committees are closed to the public? "The phone to nowhere" illustrates the issue. When the original UCD plan to redesign Clark Park was being fought, the FOCP members were publicly told that no one in the community had any objections earlier, and that it was too late to include any neighborhood feedback. During the confrontation of the lies, two separate neighbors told a public assembly that the phone number being advanced was never answered and there was no answering machine!! The phone number, like e-mail addresses today, was a total decoy! Most people would call a couple of times and be intimidated to tell the experience publicly. Luckily, two of our neighbors called daily and exposed the decoy set-up! I heard other audience members then say, "yea I called too." Even if we accepted that Clark Park and our rights should be redesigned in back rooms, think of these opportunities for input that are simply decoys. When neighbors can send their comments, protests, etc., through a known individual, they might be more likely to know if their effort was ever considered by anyone, by the committee. Keeping identities of neighborhood committees secret has nothing to do with "confidentiality." That's nonsense! A closed anonymous committee, with only phone lines to nowhere, is not compatible with the most basic principles of an open democratic society, even if the FOCP inner-circle had credibility. It's a complete waste of time to respond, in good faith, to such organizations that use decoys! That type of trick leads people to a feeling of helplessness. Power to the people, Glenn ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
