November 6, 2006
towards accountability 2
Last week we asked “what if we could come up with a list of points that we could use to measure the performance over the next term of whoever gets elected to the council seat?”. As it turns out, something alpng similar lines has already been put together…
Kristen Schroeder Konate has put together an evaluatation form that looks to be good framework for gauging how folks are feeling about a representative.
She writes:
A little over 2 years ago, (maybe 3), I submitted a City Council District Representative Evaluation form. It is in Adobe Acrobat format and is very “user friendly” with drop-down boxes and areas to “check-mark” on performance. I have attached this evaluation for everyone’s review. [...] This is an effective and proactive tool that can be used to gather information from everyone in the districts.
The drop-down boxes can be changed depending on who the representative is at the time, as well as any other item on the evaluation. I believe that I have designed a good platform evaluation from which we can build with more input from the community. I appreciate you taking the time to review my City Council District Rep Evaluation. My husband is a computer programmer and I am a graphic designer - so between the two of us, we offer our talents and input to the community wholeheartedly.
In my originial post, I was looking for concrete examples of what folks would like to see happen over the next 2 to 4 years. I was thinking that by having a list of specifics, it might be easier to objectively evaluate the candidates performance.
A few of the simple things on my wish list:
1) Put sidewalks where there are supposed to be sidewalks. Many places the sidewalks just turn into grass or mud. I’ve seen new homes built without a sidewalk. They just build a path right out to the curb. Are new homebuilders responsible for the sidewalk or is it the city?
2) Put a tree in every tree well. They go a long way to improving the look and air in the city.
3) Pass an ordinance that does not allow alcohol and cigarette advertisments within view of school grounds. The Clay Street Market has huge cigarette ads right next to the school’s playground and it bothers me.
4) Get rid of that giant billboard next to Duke’s Auto that McQuinn currently has her ad on. It’s good to know that McQuinn is helping support that eyesore.
this is EXACTLY the kind of stuff I was hoping to elicit && these are great suggestions.
The 800 block of 24th has 4 new houses and only a muddy strip where a sidewalk should be.
We ought to support a contest to see which political candidate can remove all of their campaign signs from the neighborhood in the most expedient and thorough manner. These things should be outlawed.
In Los Angeles you can get to the top of a very long sidewalk repair list by agreeing to pay for half of it. Many cities have implemented similar sidewalk cost share programs (it appears that in most cities, the resident is reponsible for the sidewalk, cities only started to chip in and do them as a matter of constituent relations). So, perhaps a requirement that new construction developers must also install sidewalks 9especially if they rip them up to put in sewar and water lines). Who is is paying for that large sidewalk construction project along Broad Street going up the hill?
copied over from another thread:
I think our council person should:
1. attend neighborhood meetings
2. update citizens on what is going on in their area (improvements,concerns)
3. ask how she can help
I would still like to see a more visble police presence in the area i.e. more patrols. Also people fly up and down chimborazo blvd. lets see a one of those radar displays. Also lets see her REALLY tackle the blighted home issue. Is she involved in the historic zoning planning? Also forget the advertising of tobacco, lets get that place gone. How many murders and crime have been at 32 and clay in the last year? I know of at least two murders and im sure there is tons of crime. Also can we repave clay street? That road has holes that little kids could fall into.
Well, unfortunately our country has these things called “rights” that keep the government from just closing down businesses. But eliminating loitering at the various “convenience stores” would be nice.
I would like to see more effort put into the prohibition of truck traffic (18 wheelers) on Broad Street when other, more sensible, through-routes exist (Williamsburg Road, Main St.). This type of traffic should be redirected away from a residential district.
Also, I would like to see the Richmond Police Dept. enforce the noise ordinances in reference to loud music from cars. It’s pretty bad if you are inside of a closed and insulated house and can hear the music blasting like it was coming from the inside of the house. It’s especially irritating when the car is stopped for a traffic light and it takes a few minutes for the car to move along.
Church Hill/Union Hill could benefit from a change in the property maintenance vegetation/weeds ordinance.
The current weeds ordinance only restricts the height of grass (weeds over 1 ft. tall are a violation). The ordinance should be amended to include as a violation any significant amount of grass growing out of brick sidewalks regardless of height. The weedy sidewalks in the neighborhood generate an aura of dereliction as much as the litter does.
I would like to see a small dog park in the east end. Not sure that there is a good space though. The grassy spot by Chimborazo Playground might be good if they ever finsih the hillside work.
I would also like to see a ban on chain-link fences, other than the temporary ones for construction.
Also, if they don’t do this already, the police should make it a point to notify landlords anytime they have to come out to a rental property. Well, unless one of the people living there is the one who is a victim. I wouldn’t want it to discourage someone from calling police if they are being abused for fear of being evicted.
OK now lets put all these wish list wants in a letter and send it to our Council Person. If we get no reponse we call the newspaper…but you know folks she wasn’t responsive before and she won’t be now and those of you who voted for her and can just throw your wants in the trash or do them yourself to have her claim responsiblity for them. In all of her meet the candidate meetings she never said what she was going to to for the 7th District nor did she say what her position was on the Echo Harbor project. Those of you who voted for her voted for no change and the do nothing for the citizens…she will do things for developers, and real estate folks. If you still have your McQuinn mailers look where she put citizens on her list.. Such a shame we have so many people who like the status quo of no change and do nothing.
Let’s write up the list of wishes. Email it to her. Mail it to her. Copy the Times, City Edition and Style and present it to her and council at the council meeting.
1. Increased police presence and foot patrols - back last summer, I actually saw cops walking. But they appear to have gone away now….
2. Enforce the speed limit. I agree with James about people flying, although I live on Marshall. I’m sick of people flying by at 45 mph.
3. Re the dog park - (I like dogs and dog parks even if I do have cats) - good luck folks. No one could ever get her to return phone calls about the pool that used to be in the playground on 29th Street - now the pool is gone and the playground is mostly roped off, and the equipment is rusted.
4. 25th Street business corridor - thanks to Church Hill Herbs, the vet and pets at play, but there could be more. Just painting the post office would help that block.
5. Speaking of 25th St., get rid of the ugly Christmas decorations that she paid for with her Paygo funds. Paygo is gone, so should those things.
6. Weed control - I believe the rule is three feet high, but maybe I’m wrong. It used to be three. But there are areas where there are weeds much worse than that - Cedar St. just north of Marshall comes to mind.
7. Sidewalks - best of my knowledge, the city pays and installs them. I’d vote for sidewalks where there are none.
Someone needs to put all these into a list at some point. Then try to get it read and acknowledged…sadly that probably will not happen. But at least then, you have something more to judge her on.
I really like Kristen Konate’s form - it just needs to be adjusted to reflect the election results, after the new folks are sworn in in January.
Weeds are a violation when over one foot tall, not three. Richmond City Code Sec. 38-154.
Perhaps the list that Celeste has given here can be presesnted at the next roundtable meeting.
Thanks Ann, but my understanding of the roundtable meetings are they are a forum for bringing issues to the mayor and city administration’s attention that are not easily solved otherwise…. HMM, well perhaps a combination of all the lists here on chpn SHOULD go to the roundtable - since, obviously McQ. isn’t going to do anything about them.
Sharon Burton, you reading this? Since you are the volunteer for the mayor’s roundtable for the 7th, you’re the person here. Ann, I will also email Sharon and let her know of your suggestion - but again, not just my list, all the suggestions listed here so far should be combined. Thanks for that suggestion. Taking this to the roundtable doesn’t hold McQ. accountable, but it does get things done.
Anyone else have any comments regarding getting things done this way, and still using Kristen’s form to hold our council rep. accountable?
Everyone keep in mind that the Mayor is in charge now and Council’s role is diminished. The same list should apply to the Mayor and Council-person equally.
The bottom line is that the mayor and council members are our representatives.
The bottom line is that the mayor and council members are our representatives. If one of them does not represent us, that lack of representation should be held up for all to see.