[RP TownTalk] FW: A view from the Ravenswood nest

[Marc Molino]

I meant to copy my reply to Don to the whole list because I'm curious as to how others feel about their representatives, the opportunities to be informed and involved, and the overall level of citizen interest and participation in Riverdale Park.
-Marc

From: mmolino54 at hotmail.com
To: dlynch at garretroomstudios.com
Subject: RE: [RP TownTalk] A view  from the Ravenswood nest
Date: Mon, 13 Apr 2009 08:36:45 -0400








Don,
I've lived in Riverdale Park for about 8 years now and have actually been impressed with the degree to which RP citizens are invited and welcome to participate in local government. I think we do a disservice to our present and former mayors and councilmembers to portray them as some sort of cabal acting independently of the citizens needs and wishes. Since I've been here in Ward 2, my council members have held open houses and/or informal gatherings at their homes to seek feedback, talked to me in person (as well as in person and by e-mail), and frequently attend every public event where they are accessible and welcome feedback (Riverdale Park Day, the Holiday Festival, the ArtsFest, etc., etc.).

Sarah mentioned the many meetings that are open to the public--I think some of these are even available on a cable access channel, as well. 

I'm curious as to how the council members in the past "... would inform and discuss these issues with the people within their wards", and whether those methods are still feasible given the present day size of the wards. I think you've raised some good issues in terms of how council members gauge and represent the interests of each ward. I don't have a lot of experience with town politics, but RP actually seems like one of the most engaged and transparent from what I've seen and heard.

All that being said, it's the citizens that seem least interested. Whether it's on this discussion list or at actual council meetings, it's usually the same, small dedicated handfull of people who are active and involved. Don't get me wrong, these folks (like yourself) are great, but the majority of the RP citizens are uninvolved. Is that a matter of interest, time, and/or access? I personally think it's mostly lack of time and/or interest.

How would you like to see it change, Don? Now would be a great time to pass these ideas along to those running for office ; )

-Marc

> From: dlynch at garretroomstudios.com
> To: TownTalk at riverdale-park.org
> Date: Sun, 12 Apr 2009 20:59:05 -0700
> Subject: [RP TownTalk] A view  from the Ravenswood nest
> 
> Gone are days.
> 
> Riverdale Park is one of the country's oldest railroad communities, established in 1887. It was incorporated in 1920. Dr. S. M. McMillan was elected as the first Mayor, his house is across from Mable Munch Park.
> 
> There was a time when council members were elected by the various wards within this community with the intent to represent the collective opinion of the people from their respective wards.
> 
> When issues concerning the town came up, the council members would inform and discuss these issues with the people within their wards and then report to the town council the findings of these discussions.
> 
> That was then and where are we today?
> 
> >From issues such as the Purple Line, art murals to 4+ story apartment buildings being approved within the historic district of Riverdale Park, are being discussed amongst the council members without any discussion amongst the wards in this town.
> 
> No local ward meetings, discussions, comments or opinions requested.
> 
> Just six individuals and a Mayor, making it seven individuals, acting independently of the rest of the town, making decisions and reporting the results weeks later in a Town Crier, with little additional information to go along with the decision making process.
> 
> Is this the status quo for Riverdale Park?
> 
> Will any council member begin to take stock in what it means to represent the people of their ward by keeping them informed with issues that directly affect them?
> 
> Will the mayor make sure that the council members communicate the important issues to the wards and demand a collective opinion from each ward?
> 
> Will we ever get back to a town where everyone feels their interests have been heard and weighed against the majority?
> 
> If not, as I say, gone are the days.
> 
> 
> Don
> 
> 
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