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Show Page 3 Region Citizens Council Meets VIII Editor's Note: The Region VIII Citizens .Council (R8CC) represents the residents of every Model Cities program in its area which includes Utah, Colorado, Montana, Wyoming and North and South Dakota. R8CC membership is made up simply of "participating Model Neighborhood residents." Delegates to R8CC affairs, such as the Second Workshop reported in this issue, represent only themselves and not any particular agency or group for which they might work. In operation since December, 1971, the Region 8 Citizens Council's expressed purpose is to promote and assist effective citizen participation in each of its Model Cities. As part of its effort, R8CC holds quarterly training seminars. A Model Neighborhood News reporter attended the latest one -- "The Future of Citizen Participation." DENVER, COLO. -- Increased citizen participation was the answer to impending social program funding cuts put forth in the Region VIII Citizens Council's Second Workshop held here February 21 24. Rather than rely on federal funds to answer their needs, delegates to the workshop were urged to organize their own communities and seek resources a Denver Delegates were told It should be apparent, they were told, that if programs by workshop leaders that through the "Community Action and Model Cities cut off we have learned not to rely on Federal Government resources . . . you (delegates)9 must find or use your own resources." A "fair share" of funds available through revenue sharing affecting the poor and disadvantaged are to receive any funds at all that "these programs need a voice that will be heard." In the first place, a unified voice would have "more clout" it was explained. A coalition of the many groups affected by the Federal funding cuts would should be "sought and demanded" the delegates were instructed, but they were warned on any against federal monies. over-relianc- represent such a voice. Groups which have received money under the Community Action and e encouraged to be among the first to join. They could then enlist the support of other concerned groups as the coalition grained anticipated as the major theme of the workshop. Instead leaders incorporated it into a more comprehensive action plan, a plan designed to replace government action and funding with stronger, more citizen's coalition. An action plan strategy was drawn up. It called for direct citizen participation in the rooms" with philosophy. no single Not only public service organizations but private, groups as well would be welcome within the coalition. It was left up to the delegates to go home and find the best way of organizing themselves. The non-prof- workings of local government. This would be done by forming a coalition of social action groups which together could seek and demand a larger voice in how elected officials handled those affairs directly concerning the groups involved. it strategy written by the delegates was to serve as a general guide to future action. A resolution, stating the position of Region VIII Citizens were reminded that revenue sharing funds going directly to state and local officials are not tagged for-anspecial purpose. Rather it is left up to elected officials, what funding priorities will be. Tom Dugger, Salt Lake strength. The proposed coalition was described as a "house of many a g Workshop delegates Tom Jones, Salt Lake Model Cities programs were Revenue sharing was -- there. In Council on new Nixon y Administration policies, was formally adopted. (Both the strategy plan and resolution are presented in this issue of the Model Neighborhood News.) salt lake modal neighborhood news The Model Neighborhood News is a publication of the Salt Lake Model Cities Agency under the supervision of the Joint Board Neighborhood News is made possible through a grant from the Department of Commissioners with editorial Housing and Urban Development. Publication of the newspaper is weekly with a distribution of offices located at 383 East 1700 20,000 copies. For further Lake City, Utah or to register a information request or complaint on delivery of the newspaper, call 467-801- of City and County South, Salt 84115. Publication of the Model "We have to go out and get citizen participation." 4. Produced by the Communications Service Center, Inc. Dave Johnson speaks Marlene Marie Young, Editor and Community Information Specialist Distribution by Reliable Courier Tim Funk, Staff Reporter "Citizen participation comes now once every four years, warned Dave Johnson, technical advisor to the Region VIII workshop. In a brief, Joint Board of Commissioners Ralph Y. McClure, Chairman Pete Kutulas Stephen Harmsen CoTUad Harrison Jennings Phillips William E. Dunn blunt speech, he told those participating that revenue sharing would end direct citizen involvement in the programs affecting them. He said "there is no provision about how those funds are spent. The only say you have is the ballot box." Funding could be assured only if those concerned had "guts enough to go out and take it," insisted Johnson. He advocated strong, unified citizens groups on the local, state and regional level. "It's the only way we can have any say in what happens. There will be no citizen participation at all unless you go out and get it." "If you (delegates) aren't already started along these lines, you've got problems. The reaction here says we are ready." to group. Johnson reminded participants that a recent national survey asking people to name the ten most important problems facing them, showed that "the number one concern was not social services for the poor and aged - it is crime in the streets." "Let them continue to cut the social services," Johnson protested, "and by God there will be crime in the streets." |