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Show salt lake freenot October 19, 1972 volume two iJjl for sale number nine Residents Hold Conference In Salt Lake by Kirk Terry With the advent of current U. S. Congressional legislation concerning revenue sharing and block grants, wide spread concern and involvement across the nation has taken place as citizens are identifying the need for communities to have a say as to how these monies will be spent. Salt Lake City and representatives from other cities in the states comprising the Region VIII Citizens Council met in Salt Lake last week to discuss with area neighborhood councils, Model Cities and Community Action Program representatives, ideas and procedures in which strong citizen participation organizations can be built in the region. The conference was held from Wednesday, October 1 1, to Saturday, October 14, and was the scene of many key speakers and workshops. Establishing citizen participation organizations and enlisting funding for those organizations was broadly discussed as were concepts and ideas related to enabling these organizations to have meaningful input to government at all levels from city to state. It was noted by Sandy throughout the convention. It was noted that the CPO must establish a firm base of input at each level of government and that the CPO can only be effective in advising government on the spending of federally returned monies if that input is strong. Wilbur Warren, immediate past president of the national Citizen Participation Council, who was introduced at the convention as the "father of citizen participation," addressed the assembly at the Hotel Utah Travel Lodge on the subject of CPO at the state level. He said that the states are bound legally and otherwise, to insure fair distribution of federal money to the cities and counties. Warren said that input by a CPO at the state level could "bring about state procedural change to effectively serve all the people." "Actions of the state cannot ignored," he added. There are state agencies and commissions, he said, the CPO should focus on as these entities use federal money, will be alloted the new funds coming in, and should have citizen input directed be to them. Agencies and commissions like the Department McCaw, Governmental Relations of Highways, Boards of OEO, Denver, Education, Family Services and Natural Resources, he said,are typical organizations presently lacking any meaningful citizen advisory input. Yet, he noted, they have access to many services and funds that affect the communities at large. Warren said that state level, Specialist, Colorado, that funding is needed to support at all levels the citizen participation organization. She said funding can come from local government, federal government, private foundations or fund raising campaigns. Eight of ten other regions across the nation, she said, are funded federally by OEO. Region VIII in which Utah is a member hasn't received funding for a citizen participation organization as yet. The actual importance of citizen participation organizations (CPOs) and their need and effect in the communities was the prime topic CPOs at the state level. Warren continued, saying, that states will be receiving about of the revenue sharing funds, and that the current federal legislation has no provision for 33 citizen input as to the determination of spending. It has been the history of states, he said, to be reluctant about indicating how much money the state has. Local government does need money, he said, "cities need a Wilbur Warren, "father of citizen participation,' bite." Other regions have found it favorable, Warren said, to use the courts for decisions on spending. When court action has been filed, he stated, "for a fair shake for the poor people," and if the federal courts are used, the outcome has benefited the disadvantaged. P a r t i c i pants of the convention also noted that it is highly important to demonstrate addressed conference. community can harness its energy, knowledge, and desire to see effective change brought S. L. Citizens Attend Meeting Residents sent asdelegatesby Model Cities and the community that citizen input is viable and much needed in planning and spending of funds. Government doubts the Laxton. Opinions varied Coordinating CPO, it was noted, but it must be shown that regarding the value of the citizen input "can work to bring about the greatest change on decision making." The conference speakers told the assembly that when they residents. effectiveness of adjourn it will be the reponsibility of everyone to carry on the idea of "finding a channel of communications with government" to constantly be reorganizing the community, develop the CPO at all levels, and foremost, "to do your conference as viewed by Bonnie Hartley, Social Services task force member and representative to the Coordinating Council said, "The biggest thing got out of the conference was a feeling that have a stronger role to play than realized." She said citizens need to be aware of their power to make necessary changes in the I I I "I was amazed to find out and lower level, agencies are the greatest resource still continously at conflict with each other and that poor relations between departments adversly untapped in the country, it was how many things I didn't know," she added. affect the "poor" in the community. Warren stressed the point, however, that the key to cities and counties receiving their fair share of federal monies is to be found in well constructed People power said. But only by being knowledgeable in community affairs and demonstrating a working ability for bringing about the best changes, will doubt be dissolved, Warren said. Warren summed up the convention saying that if the acting as director of the Model Cities agency and director of the citizen participation component She saw this as a conflict of interest , resulting in residents not having someone to soley represent their feelings and views. She said she felt residents should be paid to serve on the task forces and the Coordating Council. "This would create more responsibility on the part of residents, they'd have more at stake," Mrs. Hartley concluded. Selma Jacobsen, active resident with the Government Task Force and the Coordinating Council said the most outstanding feature of the conference was Wilbur Warren's speech. community. is homework." government from top to bottom." Council to the Region VIII Citizens Conference held in Salt Lake last week included Bonnie Hartley, Jane Civish, Selma Jacobsen and Viola to government and the about and money spent where its needed "it can shake and rattle Two prime examples, she said, were the necessity of having citizen participation director and the availability of stipends for residents serving on task a forces and the Coordinating Council. At present, she explained, Pete Grundfossen is "I have it on tape and would be happy to share it with anyone interested," she said. Jack Hanley, Region VIII Citizen's Council director told us it was "up to us to get the message to the people," she said. Mrs. Jacobsen said she felt very good about the conference and she was very appreciative to have been selected as a delegate. |