The
LANCC meets on the first Saturday of each month.
See
our web site for details and agendas.
May
29, 2009
Valley Regional Congress, May 30, 2009
This is a final reminder to attend the “Valley Regional
Congress.” It will take place on May 30th at
The events program is an empowerment boot camp aimed at bringing
together all the Neighborhood Council Chairs of; Land Use, Transportation,
Outreach, and Public Safety. They will form alliances that help mentor their
peers and take action on issues of common and regional concern. It is our hope
that the new alliances will continue their endeavors through the support of the
“Carol Baker Tharp Neighborhood Leadership Institute”
The wiki site is a place where everyone is invited to share their
thoughts and comments, and ask questions about five unique and important issues
that will be discussed at the
Conducting a discussion of session topics weeks before the event occurs has
never been attempted. It is one of the ways that the Valley neighborhood
councils are trying to put themselves in the forefront of the evolution of
civic engagement. Let’s show them that when the Valley does something, we
do it BIG! It’s easy, it’s interesting, it’s our revolution.
This will allow neighborhood council members to help shape each discussion,
attend the event better prepared; submit comments if they are unable to attend,
and perhaps allow those who attend to be better prepared to reach some
conclusions.
Anyone is allowed to submit comments and questions. You don't even have to post
your name. Often those whose jobs would be at risk for posting comments are the
ones who have the most valuable information to share.
Unlike blogs or e-mail messages, we can all be working on the same page.
Administrators are allowed to delete off-topic entries and "rants" so
that the time of the other participants isn't wasted. They will also assist in
finding accurate answers to your questions.
Each session has its own page.
1. REPORT CARDS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS. The goal is
to try and determine which criteria should be used to measure the effectiveness
and quality of city elected officials so that a "report card" can be
developed through which neighborhood councils will be able to hold elected
officials accountable for their votes and service.
2. UTILIZING NEW TECHNOLOGY.
3. DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD EMPOWERMENT & BOARD OF
NEIGHBORHOOD COMMISSIONERS ROUNDTABLE. The Department of
Neighborhood Empowerment and the Board of Neighborhood Commissioners were
created in the City Charter to assist the neighborhood councils in promoting
public participation in government. Here you can share your thoughts about how
each agency can better support neighborhood councils.
4. HOW MUCH EMPOWERMENT IS TOO MUCH EMPOWERMENT?
It's a bit of a teaser question. This roundtable discussion will involve
everyone in discussing the thorny issue of which changes neighborhood councils
may want to pursue in an attempt to be granted, or to take additional power.
5. SUNSHINE LAW. After two years of work, the
Neighborhood Council Review Commission recommended that a city ordinance be
enacted to replace three state laws that directly affect neighborhood council
operations: the Brown Act (the open meetings law), the Public Records Act, and
the Politicial Reform Act (the conflict of interest law). The main concern is
that the laws cannot be enforced, as they apply to neighborhood councils, by
overloaded state and county agencies.
As a reminder, do not forget to bring canned food for the canned food
drive. All non perishable items may be dropped off in the turnabout the day of
the event from
The Valley Regional Congress Co Chairs are
Webs site: valleyregionalcongress.org
Contact:
Leonard J. Shaffer
LANCCoalition Chair