Assemblyman Jerry Green is absolutely right on this one.
He is quoted in Friday's Courier as saying, regarding development, "We need to move cautiously ... Everyone should be on the same page."
I couldn't agree more.
The vociferous property owners at Wednesday's Council meeting were stark evidence that the Administration of Mayor Robinson-Briggs has seriously stubbed its toe in neglecting to involve the business community in any 'visioning' process for the city's future.
From the beginning of her Administration, the Mayor's plans have been developed out of the public view and without large-scale engagement of either residents or the business community.
This is in stark contrast to the planning effort of a decade ago that was led by then Councilors Malcolm Dunn and Al McWilliams.
Spurred by these visionary Councilors, nearly five hundred residents and business owners engaged in a year-long process of assessing the needs and wants of the community and developing a prioritized strategic plan.
The plan then informed everything from the Administration's efforts in reviewing its master plan to guiding development, from encouraging business growth to improving overall quality of life in the neighborhoods.
It was successful 'small d' democracy.
It would not hurt for Mayor Robinson-Briggs to move away from the secretive decision-making which has been the hallmark of her Administration to date and embrace an inclusion of the grassroots in the efforts to move Plainfield forward.
The Mayor could energize 'small d' democracy again in Plainfield, if she wants to.
Meanwhile, I'm with the Assemblyman -- the Administration needs to move cautiously, everyone needs to be on the same page.
View today's CLIPS here. Not getting your own CLIPS email daily? Click here to subscribe.
http://plainfieldtoday.blogspot.com/
Posts
1 comments:
Malcolm Dunn may have been instrumental in the community planning process but when solid development proposals were submitted to council that would have met many of the economic development goals and objectives identified in the Strategic Plan he vociferously fought them on the basis that the developers were not minorities.
Pat Ballard Fox
Post a Comment