By Dr. Terry Hoskins, District 9 City Council candidate
“It was the best of times; it was the worst of times.” Unfortunately, Charles Dickens’ classic novel in 1859 is relevant today regarding the unknown consequences of unchecked power. The current track record of the City Council, whether attempting to silence the City Attorney or silencing a public that expresses different views, has been the quest for unchecked power over the citizenry. The New Community Planning Group System is a prime example of the continued desire to have unchecked power, this time over Community Planning Groups.
The City Council, following the leadership of the Council President, depicts an attitude towards the current Community Planning Groups that is not only disrespectful to current community members who have volunteered their time and effort for the betterment of their communities but, more importantly, is disenfranchising. When speaking with community planning group personnel who had been in community planning groups at one time or another, they did not favor the new program in which candidates apply to the City, and the City determines which slate best represents their community. The City Council should glean information from the current Community Planning Groups to understand the totality of this unwelcome attitude towards the New Community Planning Groups.
One former Community Planning Group member stated it is a slap in the face to all the men and women who have volunteered for years in a sincere effort to better their communities. Another Community Planning Group member stated there are always vacancies on the board, and nothing prohibits the diversity that the City Council desires to see in the various groups. Another former Community Planning Group member stated the City Council wants to get rid of all the old white people. Another Community Planning Group member noted that the amount of work and time needed to be involved in these planning groups are often too much for the younger generation, and the turnover from renters is often due to the time and work not worth their effort to be on the board.
The main point made by many of the Community Planning Group members I spoke with emphasized that there are spots available now for anyone who wants to join, regardless of the representation category they belong to: renters, young people, or people of color. The elephant in the room pertains to Council Policy 600-24. The new policy wants specific seats reserved for renters, stakeholders, and business representatives to ensure voting members represent the broader community. However, the current Community Planning Groups are fearful of being replaced by members of the communities who align themselves with members of the City Council who have a craving for unchecked power.
The City’s website about Community Planning Groups weaves a tapestry, concealing a false narrative of government oversight by the City Council. Honestly, do you believe the City knows best who represents communities better than the community members themselves? This overturning of volunteers elected to Planning Groups in favor of groups appointed by the City Council is undemocratic. It is a power grab to ignore the needs of the people in favor of handpicked apple-polishers.
Many City Councilmembers have never attended a Community Planning Group meeting in their district. Let us be clear: a staffer does not satisfy this obligation. If they had, they would have witnessed the hard work and dedication each of the current Community Planning Groups provides in an attempt to better their communities. This dedication and hard work are easy to observe. Applications were due to be submitted by December 31, 2023.
This uncontrolled power grab will not go down well with the men and women who have worked tirelessly for years on Community Planning Groups. Instead, it will lead to unrest amongst those community leaders who have been residents for years and have represented all community members in an attempt to better the communities. When the City Council does not respect or accept the electoral process of the communities, it then becomes similar to what we all observed on Jan. 6, 2020.
