OCR Text |
Show ow Bid It Come About? Cities began with the passage of the Metropolitan Development and Demonstration Cities Act of 1966. The following year, the first cities to receive benefits were selected. Since errors were made, expectations were not filled, hopes may have been shattered, and disillusion has become the normal view people take of Model Cities. We realize our short comings, but isn't programs dealing with urban that the first step toward cute? We won't promise that tomorrow you will wake to find a new and beautiful world, or even a neat well tended neighborhood. Then what can we t promise? Slow change, Model problems seemed to be failing, the Act of 1966, was passed in hope of stemming the tide of decay in urban areas. Model Cities was conceived as a pilot program where massive aid would be poured into a few selected deomstration cities. Those cities could then plan a variety of experiments in meeting the problems of their poorest neighborhoods. The cities could then use what was learned in these experiments to set up programs on a basis. Twelve cities were city-wid- e originally slated to receive Model City funds, but due to political pressure the number was expanded to 150. Presently 147 cities are involved in the Model Cities requirement that the city government work in partnership with the residents of the model neighborhood. have"to be Plans and projects agreeable to the PARTICIPATION? Citizen pat ticipation is the active involvement of committed citizens, representative of the Model Neighborhood, wot king with others within an oigamzed and efficient structure, who through their input to planning, implementation, coordination and evaluation of programs and projects have hard-hones- work, long hours and real Model Cities is People recognizable influence on decisions which affect their lives. This self help process of social change tesults in awareness and human rehabilitation. Model Cities is an experimental program. It is also an experiment in citizen participation. It has been accomplishments where and when possible. If we should faulter, or fall, we will rise and try again. We realize you've heard it all before, so we will not even attempt to lift your spirits with dreams of bigger and better can honestly say we things. But shall work, we shall try, and perhaps we shall overcome. called an effort toward I a "Participatory Democracy". Model Cities is "planning with", not "planning for" people. Citizens foi m a ho program. Another very important aspect of the Model Cities Program is the WHAT IS CITIZEN organization, partnership with local government. WHO ARE CITIZEN PARTICIPANTS? The man on the stree. The r everyday citizen. People who are concerned and who are willing to give their time to help themselves and their neighbors. Task techn.cians, city officials, as well as the neighborhood in which Model Cities is working. The realization that the roots of poverty are deeper than physical conditions, has on other brought light to bare The frustrating feeling of problems. having no real voice or influence on governmental or neighborhood Task forces citizens involved in - solving their community's problems - are at the root of the Model Cities affairs has led to strong resentment and alienation of people in ghetto and poverty areas. In fact, this alienation is not just a feeling. The people who plan and run the schools, the social services programs, the public services, own businesses and process. These task forces are faced with the responsibility of identifying and analysing problems, particularly within the Model Neighborhood area, and recommending solutions. There are nine major areas of make profits in the poor neighborhoods are generally concern: health, outsiders. Most of the things that happen in these neighborhood s are done with very little influence by the people who live there, and very often the solutions proposed by outsiders don't really make sense to the neighborhood residents. The first housing, physical environment, step was to organize mass meetings where the city and county officials and the residents discussed and constructed the floor plans by which the Model Cities Agency should be formed. A steering committee composed of residents worked many hours to make Model Cities in Salt Lake City a reality. After a few months discussions, the city and county commission created the agency along lines agreed upon by both the resident steering committee and city and county officials. The Coordinating Council is responsible for approving plans for the neighborhood, allocating the budget and implementing the projects. The plans and projects come to the Council from the task forces. All of the Council's decisions and plans, are subject to final approval by the Joint Board of Commissioners before they are submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That was yesterday, and this is here and now. As in any social services, crime and juvenile delinquency, education, government, transportation and employment and economic development. All projects presented to the Coordinating Council of the Model Cities program must be initiated and presented by a task force. On a step by step basis, the task force first examines a problem and its effect on the Model Neighborhood and the community as a whole. After discussion, the members suggest possible solutions and resources - money and manpower - for implementing the solutions. At this point, the Model Cities staff member assigned to the task force researches the proposal. He explores possible funding for the project and how it could be carried out. His position is that of a planner. The task force then reviews the project, sets priorities, and votes on whether to submit it to the Council. The nine planning task forces don't "rubber stamp" projects. Their job is to see that the best solutions are found to problems and that the citizens benefit fiom Model Cities programs to the gieatest Do You Need Help To maintain your home because you are ill, aged, disabled or blind? Family Services can offer competent Homemakers to help you. For , Ext. 306, 358 or 361. further information, call degree. Anyone interested in joining a particular task foi ce may contact the Model Cities Agency, 467-94- 1 486-1811- 6. i i wlfti 4 AAA U ...ilfti iftfi |