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Ann (not verified) says:
The fact is that community board members are added on after they are approved by the borough president. This is why people say that COMMUNITY BOARDS ARE FILLED WITH POLITICAL CRONIES.
Many cities throughout the country have unpaid city council members and their cities run very smoothly because dedicated citizens rise to the challenge to represent their communities. They meet regularly to discuss matters and to vote.
Our boroughs is rich with civic associations, tenant associations, precinct councils and community groups who work to improve our neighborhoods. Their members are volunteers. As part of a participatory democracy, of course Joe and Jane Citizen should have input - but what about Joe and Jane who disagree with the goals of their borough president and cannot participate on that level because of politic clashes with the borough president?
New York City can no longer afford - nor should continue to afford - elected officials who serve no legislative purpose, no executive purpose, and no judicial purpose - such as borough presidents, public advocates, and community board members.
This is not to say that the people who serve are not anything less than wonderful and dedicated and caring people. So many of them are! Their concern for our neighborhoods won't disappear if the office of the public advocate, theh borough presidents and community boards no longer exist.
As we continue to structure our city's government to function in a cost-efficient manner, we need to finally modify the City Charter once and for all and do away with the excess vestiges of the past and not even think of adding another layer of bureaucracy to the system.
The fact is that community board members are added on after they are approved by the borough president. This is why people say that COMMUNITY BOARDS ARE FILLED WITH POLITICAL CRONIES.
Many cities throughout the country have unpaid city council members and their cities run very smoothly because dedicated citizens rise to the challenge to represent their communities. They meet regularly to discuss matters and to vote.
Our boroughs is rich with civic associations, tenant associations, precinct councils and community groups who work to improve our neighborhoods. Their members are volunteers. As part of a participatory democracy, of course Joe and Jane Citizen should have input - but what about Joe and Jane who disagree with the goals of their borough president and cannot participate on that level because of politic clashes with the borough president?
New York City can no longer afford - nor should continue to afford - elected officials who serve no legislative purpose, no executive purpose, and no judicial purpose - such as borough presidents, public advocates, and community board members.
This is not to say that the people who serve are not anything less than wonderful and dedicated and caring people. So many of them are! Their concern for our neighborhoods won't disappear if the office of the public advocate, theh borough presidents and community boards no longer exist.
As we continue to structure our city's government to function in a cost-efficient manner, we need to finally modify the City Charter once and for all and do away with the excess vestiges of the past and not even think of adding another layer of bureaucracy to the system.