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Submitted by Katherine on Tue, 07/15/2008 - 2:54pm.
In chairing the PBIA this year it is my goal to engage other organizations and to stop reinventing the wheel when it comes to downtown topics. (How many websites? How many marketing schemes? How many clean, safe & beautification projects? It’s astounding….) Mathias and I were trying to do a count of downtown stakeholder organizations and stopped at 16. There seems to be a new one every month, and we all seem to like acronyms and numerals. And alliteration. Are we a community of such talented, motivated organizers and activists that instead of utilizing existing structures and organizations we just make our own group? I want a real inventory of who’s doing what downtown, the people and the groups. Who do you work with on downtown issues? What groups have you heard of?
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Fabulous Idea!
Submitted by einmaleins on Tue, 07/15/2008 - 5:57pm.Brilliant!
I start: I'm a business owner, relatively new to town, started First Friday and operate Everyday Olympia, which now includes a comment section, RSS feed and the ability to register to receive updates!
mathias
einmaleins
hmmm
Submitted by enpen on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 6:25am.I spend a lot of time walking around downtown. I take pictures of the Free Wall and have a healthy(?) interest in seeing the Arts be a sustainable/sustaining part of Olympia (something has got to fill the huge industry vacuum Olympia fell into) and sometime in the next four years I'd like to be a part of a multidisciplinary arts cooperative that opens up shop in downtown. And contrary to my career counselor's advice I'm trying to make a go of being a poet...anybody want to buy a chapbook?
If I need an acronym to play it's P.O.E.T.: Perambulating Obsessed Engrossing Townie.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
The trouble with all the
Submitted by w1r3d1 on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 6:53am.Actually...
Submitted by furrerdw on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 7:39am.As the President of the Olympia Downtown Association, I can assure you that Enpen is perfectly welcome to join the ODA. It's called a "Friend of Downtown" membership and is available to ANYONE with an interest in supporting the work of the Association or becoming involved.
I also don't think it's "trouble" to have different agendas, money or thoughts on downtown. It seems to me that a diversity of opinions and projects would add to our vitality. It isn't trouble until one group expends its resources undermining the efforts of another, pushes an exclusive agenda or duplicates the efforts of another group. That negative tide in downtown politics seems to be turning as more of our groups have begun collaborative projects and work to improve our channels of communication.
As for who we work with...well, what would you like to work on?
"Friend of Downtown"
Submitted by Phil Owen on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 7:51am.Is this type of member a voting member? I seem to recall a time when Bread & Roses was an ODA member, but I don't think it had voting power.
The Canaanite's Call
Does a "friend of Downtown"
Submitted by w1r3d1 on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 2:32pm.Just for the record
Submitted by Guglielmo on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 8:07am.Thanks for pointing out the obvious.
Submitted by einmaleins on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:19am.Sure, that's trouble.
We recognized that, perhaps not as fast as you, but that's why we're working on getting everyone together.
Not so we can get people to join the PBIA, ODA, ODBA (thats' for you w1r3d1) but to get things done on Olympia.
mathias
einmaleins
I apologize if these seems
Submitted by w1r3d1 on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 10:21am.Accepted!
Submitted by einmaleins on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:00am.And I salute you for engaging and inviting these efforts to grow further.
I'll be there and am excited.
mathias
einmaleins
Anydowntown So are you
Submitted by Anydowntown on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 7:06am.So are you tired of the same old rhetoric surrounding the condition of Downtown? I know I am.I have been involved in some form or another with Downtown businesses, projects, associations and most recently an advisory board. All of these have brought me a better understanding of the politics involved in restoring vibrancy to a Downtown.
Admittedly I am not a patient person, the bureaucracy involved in getting things done is painfully slow. Given this fact, I’m also not willing to sit by idly watch miss-management and discourse of the organizations that are intended to promote and encourage vibrancy in our Downtown.
Now I have used the word vibrant several times in just the last few paragraphs, which I think describes my vision of Downtown, as it is, and as what it could be. Downtown currently fills the needs and desires of many people. They think it is perfect and that it should be left just the way it is, and they are right, it should be left just how it is.
There are others who like Downtown just the way it is, but they would like to solve a couple of issues that they see as a problem, and they are passionate about these changes, and they are right these changes need to be made.
Then there are those who find that Downtown could be perfect if we created a new Downtown on the rubble of the old one, and they are right, we should just start over.
The point I try to make here is that Downtown is something to everyone, and they are all right. Not everyone likes Downtown, but those that do, really do. The downfall to many Downtown plans is a lack of funding. Money is the ruler that all things downtown can be measured by.
When the Association that you joined in an effort to show your support to Downtown, fails to represent Downtown, what are you to do? When the Association running the Business Improvement District is one in the same, what do you do?
My proposal is that you simply start another group. A group based upon the bones of the others. Take the good from the bad, and sort out the details Focus on finding Vibrancy in Downtown, with passion and results.
Small projects that make a big difference, and ad to the quality of life for not only the businesses in Downtown, but also the residents, customers and tourists. Small groups creating small projects, to make a big difference is what Downtown is.
Membership is OPEN to anyone that would like to see positive, noticeable, well-managed change in our Downtown. Your thoughts and suggestions for Downtown can be emailed to anydowntown@gmail.com
transparency helps too.
Submitted by einmaleins on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:25am.mathias
einmaleins
>focus<
Submitted by chad360 on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 7:18am.What needs to change & why? (just make a list)
...then build capacity for each entry on the list, also looking to see if any entry "nests" with another entry (ideas that go together or compliment each other).
Once capacity is built & social capital expended, then "change" can happen, regardless of the ca$h on the table...just look at the recent "grassroots" moves by Terra Commons and the Eco Builders Guild.
Nihilism also leads nowhere, so what is the point in going down that path?
well a list is great.
Submitted by einmaleins on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:31am.But we've been making list in virtual spaces since month now (some might even argue years).
How about we meet in person and actually connect. Get people off from behind their computer screen and out of their businesses and connect, engage, interact, share.
mathias
einmaleins
How about a weekly coffee meetup?
Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 11:23am.I would be happy to host at
Submitted by w1r3d1 on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 12:51pm.Great, let's do it.
Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 12:52pm.I'm in...
Submitted by Peter Alden Stroble on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 3:05pm.This is greatly needed, thank you, w1r3d1, for hosting. (Should I expect someone who looks like r2d2 or c3po when I show up?)
Also, Katherine, add OLY 2012 to the inventory of groups that care about downtown and want to help it progress in a positive direction.
I'll be there...
Submitted by einmaleins on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 3:24pm.... I hope!
mathias
einmaleins
Are...
Submitted by enpen on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 8:32pm.kids welcome? I'd bring snacks and toys, so no worries on that front.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
Of course kids are welcome.
Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:45pm.woah there
Submitted by enpen on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:51pm.It's not our space.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
word
Submitted by Rob Richards on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 9:55pm.Kids may actually be
Submitted by w1r3d1 on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 9:37am.excellent
Submitted by enpen on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 6:30pm.I look forward to seeing the coffee crew tomorrow.
"In principle, I am an anarchist. Kurt Vonnegut once said he was an agnostic who respects Jesus Christ. I am an anarchist who loves democracy." - Kenzaburo Oe
The broom closet? O ye of
Submitted by Meta Hogan on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 8:00am.City Downtown Project
Submitted by Thad Curtz on Wed, 07/16/2008 - 8:35pm.As some of you may already know, the city's recently hired a consultant to go over all of the city's previous planning work on downtown. They are supposed to synthesize what the city's already decided its vision for downtown is, and to give the council advice about what they can and should do to reach their goals for downtown. They've authorized up to 75K for the project, and have hired a local consulting group. The RFP does say the process will include at least two neighborhood/community meetings. The Council's scheduled to check in with the consultant about the direction of the project at their August 5th meeting. The final report's not supposed to be done until winter at least.
If you're interested, I've put PDFs of the city's request for proposals and the consultant's recent scope of work document on-line at:
http://www.nuprometheus.com/friends/Synthesis/SynthesisRFP.pdf
http://www.nuprometheus.com/friends/Synthesis/Scope.pdf
Thanks for the information.
Submitted by w1r3d1 on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 9:46am.75K for this consultant...
Submitted by jlw on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 10:30am.How so?
Submitted by Ehver Green on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:13am.It is obvious the city wanted accountability and the TU was overlooked due to their lack of accountability. I applaud the city for asking where the money is spent. You want to reward those who have it together on all points.
It should also be noted that the city provided the majority of Pat Tassoni's funding
salary($18,000 annually I believe). I'm curious how much of this free money went to Tassoni?Overall funding for social services out of the city's Community Development Block Grant did not change - some of the receipients did though.
EDIT: And, if the city is going to spend that kind of money as salary for one individual, bring him on as city staff and let him work within the resources of the city.
Wasn't the council going to help (not lead) the TU find funding outside of city coffers? Did that happen?
You don't have the facts, man.
Submitted by Rob Richards on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:35am.Second, the city did provide a majority, and has never had a problem with that until this year. The Tenant's Union does get money from other sources, not just the city.
Third, free money? Pat signs a contract with Olympia that he will provide services to a certain number of people each year and he does so. How is that free money? It's no different than you becoming an independent contractor in your field. You'd have to work for your money, so does Pat.
Fourth, bring him on staff? That's simply not what the city does and is a far-fetched suggestion.
Fifth, it's not anybody at the city's job to help a non-profit find funding and whoever made that offer overstepped their bounds.
What other sources of
Submitted by Ehver Green on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:58am.What other sources of funding and how significant are they? Don't tell me I don't have the facts, show me. I read the article some time ago but did listen to you, Pat, and Monica? on KAOS several months back.
Yes, bring him on as staff. How far-fetched is it really? I'd rather have a resourceful person like Pat as a city employee than an independent contractor.
Are you telling me we don't have anybody on the city payroll who works the social services sector in any capacity?
Who cares whose job it is? Most of us don't operate in a box and I don't think our city leaders do either. If someone said they were going to help (not sure what bounds were overstepped, if any) they should step up and do their part to help.
well,
Submitted by Rob Richards on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 12:20pm.Besides monitoring contracts and staying abreast of the issues, not really. There are folks at Community Planning and Development who are amazing and valuable, but they don't provide social services. The city contracts out because they realize they don't have that capacity, I think if you asked them, they'd agree. Pat, and the people he helps, are better served the way things are, and that's why it is that way.
Again, I think if you asked staff they tell you it's not the job of the city to fund raise for non-profits. They have a lot to do without adding that to it.
You're suggestion, and I think this is funny, begins to approach sort of a Marxist idea of state sponsored services. People would suffer under that, no doubt. I like the public/private partnership model a lot better than government controlled services.
social services?
Submitted by chad360 on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 12:59pm.I volunteer with the Eastside Neighborhood Association as a member of the the board of directors, and that opportunity has exposed me to several folks that facilitate and coordinate the creation (design & budget) of social service programs, and the delivery of a wide variety of social services.
I'm thinking primarily of the folks at the City of Olympia that work with the neighborhood associations and are involved in the various community programs, which result in direct aid in the form of financing, material, and programs/projects.
In short, I see little to gain in quipping back/forth about any specific "stakeholder" (in this case I guess it is the TU?)...
...>ANYWAYS<...
...this thread is about working to get a list and then target goals, not going back/forth about the merit, value, or "worth" (all subjective labels) of any specific "downtown" posse-
Please consider the topic of the thread, and try to direct input in a positive way.
I appreciate the value of this dialog, and there certainly is more than enough space on OlyBlog for an "in-depth" comparative analysis of specifics in our community, but I want to communicate my desire to caution folks about getting too involved in an off-topic splinter.
What I get out of this is that two more stakeholders for consideration of adding to the list of downtown stakeholders could be the Tenants Union & folks from inside the staff of the Co?
-any thoughts?
Pat provided (and is still
Submitted by jlw on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 3:18pm.that happens alot...
Submitted by chad360 on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 4:33pm....to Jeff, or at least that is what it looks like from my perspective.
Kingsbury's florid verbosity is very, very unprofessional: he should listen more and speak less in my opinion.The kind of verbal behavior Jeff engages in borders on verbal bullying (something I know alot about as a reforming conversational bully).
As a fellow thespian (and one who has participated in voluntary and involuntary contest speaking, debate, and public oratory), I feel I must make my opinion about Jeff public...and as much as I respond to his energy, intelligence, wit, and capacity for comprehension, I am distanced by the constant, forceful stream of his dialog. (nuf said)
I still feel discussing what amounts to a "he said/she said" arguement over accounting details about a specific potential downtown "stakeholder" is not what this thread is about...
I guess you're right about this being a digression...
Submitted by jlw on Fri, 07/18/2008 - 5:04am.Please don't go there!
Submitted by chad360 on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:12am.I view these costs with dread, almost despair...
...so much ca$h for opinions, and so little resources for services.
In one instance the CoO spent over $50K for a cell tower study that reproduced public info that is available for free to municipalities.
Question: "does the Council set the budget?"
There's a general
Submitted by Ehver Green on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:15am.that's a little unfair
Submitted by Katherine on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 11:25am.Hey Katherine< What is
Submitted by w1r3d1 on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 5:11pm.lo siento
Submitted by Katherine on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 7:05pm.