Here's a round up of the public comment period at the April 24th Planning Committee meeting. In large part, comments echoed letters comments that others have been making for a couple months.
There seemed to be widespread agreement that the revision to the legislation was positive, but some remaining concern about having city employees be voting members of the board rather than just advisors. The 10 or so speakers reiterated the need for the board's 20 appointed members to be "members of the public" and a majority city residents, and emphasized the need for representation by people of diverse races and incomes, and people who don't own cars (25 percent of city residents!).
In their words:
"We need not only the appearance, but the reality of openness."
—Gene Solan, Council of Albany Neighborhood Associations
The process should be based in public participation, what the the public brings to the table, not just "invite comments" that will "beat around the edges."
—Leif Engstrom, Pine Hills Neighborhood Association
"The success [of this process] will depend on winning hearts and minds."
—Brad Allen
"I will know this is a success if I see my neighbors at these meetings."
—Lynne Jackson, Save the Pine Bush, South End resident
Feed people at meetings to increase participation. "We want this to be a happy process, where we participate because we love our city."
—Lynne Jackson (To which Councilwoman McLaughlin replied, laughing: "You would've driven that point home if you'd brought cookies.")
Poor people in the city get their news through church and school. If word has to get out, you need to use those venues. "They don't all read the TU and they don't all have e-mail."
—Archie Goodbee
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