Far to often elected officials tell us we don't have the money to pay for the programs and results we need to live better lives. And that is not the truth, it is simply a failure of creativity.
For example with Community Oriented Policing, the increased crime fighting ability comes from building respectful relationships with the impoverished communities that suffer most from crime. With these relationships of respect comes valuable intelligence that only people that live in these communities can provide. This intelligence enables Police to directly fight criminals, and the social problems that foster criminal activity. So better Policing, is far more cost effective, because it enhances the Police respect for communities and their civil rights.
The same is true of a community oriented Council and City Staff. By building real respectful relationships with the communities they govern, they create the communication networks that enable the stakeholders to develop solutions to the problems that the stakeholders experience.
I will give Neighborhood Associations a real voice in governance. And by offering a real seat at the decision making table for delegates from district area neighborhood associations we will create an incentive for neighborhoods that do not currently have neighborhood associations to form them. I will work to place 0.1% of our annual municipal spending under the discretion of registered neighborhood associations. That will amount to $35,000 per district, for which we will see upwards of 80 street level Neighborhood Associations(NA's) in every district. These Associations will nominate delegates to "larger Neighborhood" NA's, which will nominate delegates to "District Area" neighborhood associations, Which intern can provide delegates for district wide problem solving working groups. These representatives become the advocates for their communities, and potential candidates for office. We will create the problem solving, communication networks, and community advocates to work with our elected officials and professional city staff to address all the problems we face.
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