Project Open

If  you have been reading the local newspapers recently, there appears to be a few “local action groups” (LAGs) that are perfect examples of how citizens can come together around an issue, concern or need and pursue a course of action that either captures the attention of the larger community and/or begins to solve the problem. For example:

PINS - Petaluma Involved Neighbors are concerned about the vandalism, graffiti, blight and decay in Petaluma. Founder, Frank Simpson, has created a web site that documents via photographs what has been happening in Petaluma over the past few years, http://www.picturetrail.com/PINS131/ He has also created an archieve site at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graffiti_PINS131/ Recently, Frank has also blogged extensively on this theme for the Argus-Courier at http://frank-simpson.petaluma360.com Bottomline: He has gotten results. For details, go to my blog, “The Squeaky Wheel” does get results at  http://bill-hammerman.petaluma360.com

Victoria neighbors have launched a campaign related to the city’s “Draft Environmental Impact Report-Review of Planning Commision Recommendations for Parcel-Specific Land Uses.” They have asked the City Council to reconsider the existing very low residential designation to rural residential and increase in park acreage and place his item on the agenda of their next meeting, Monday, March 19, at 7:00 p.m.

This neighborhood action group has been focussed on this issue for some time, and their efforts may be reviewed on Granicus - the city’s video of past meeting - http://petaluma.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=3 jump to “Sub-Area 8-West Hills-Lands of Davidson (Scott Ranch). Anytime a neighborhood action group can attract over 100 citizens to a public meeting you know they are organized, effective and having an impact.

 ALERT - Alliance for Local Emergency Response Teams held its quarterly meeting, last week, and a dozen neighborhood leaders (NERTs) participated in an information update session, as well as planning for the next quarter. Since last March, the Petaluma CERT-NERT-STAR intiative (now coordinated by ALERT), has: graduated 50 Community Emergency Response (CERT) volunteers, created 12 NERTS, licensed 12 FCC Amateur Radio Operators, established 6 electronic conference boards, and one web site http://www.petalumanert.org At the Sonoma County level, a Petaluma-based, team of eight volunteers participated in the 2007 CERT Challenge and five ham radio operators advanced to become volunteer members of the county’s Auxilary Communications Services (ACS).

These three reports are great examples of the PetalumaNet motto, the greatest resource of any community is the collective wisdom, intellect and creativity of it citizens. Stay tuned for future updates and example of community action groups.

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 By Frank Simpson

I noted with more than a little interest the article in the Press Democrat this morning about “Animal” and the Pothole brigade.  An illustration, perhaps, of how far you have to go to have an impact. 

At the time I thought they were way over the top.  Now that I have a little more experience, I have come to believe that their approach was correct.  Letters to the Editor, Blogs, going to Council Meetings are all necessary tactics but you have to have more–you have to take it to the streets and door to door. Eventually you may have to take it to the ballot box.

It seems to me that for anything to happen in a meaningful way, you first have to have a situation that is completely outrageous–the Petaluma potholes or the vandalism in La Tercera. Than you have to have someone rise up and stick their head out the window (Think “Network”) and yell–”I’m mad as hell and I am not going to take this anymore.”

Add large does of satire, humor and publicity.

Get the politicians really scared.

Then perhaps something may be done…even if it is only temporary or palliative.

Thank God for the “Animals” and  the La Tercera Activists.

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