Comments on New coalition aims to improve regional planning - Greater Greater Washington

Comment by Douglas Willinger

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 22:26:28 EDT

How does one join such a committee?

I recall that COG had 'citizens' advisory boards' for such things as transportation; prior to about 1999 this was open to anyone, but was since made by appointment only- speaking volumes about the ideological credibility of that which was thus favored by this.

Comment by Eric H.

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:24:41 EDT

Karl:

The Coalition's membership is not limited to regional planners. The idea was to have a diverse coalition to improve capacity building and multi-sector partnerships in order to implement the Region Forward plan.

Comment by Eric H.

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 17:14:17 EDT

EastRiverHeights:

Although the District’s representatives on the Coalition represent the entire city, the affordable housing preservation fund (GreenPATH) highlighted during the panel discussion seeks to initially focus on opportunities in Ward 7. Also, Alicia Lewis, the COG staff person who moderated the affordable housing panel is a Ward 7 resident.

Comment by Tina

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:28:30 EDT

@Eric H - the orange type on green field is very hard to read as it vibrates all over the place. I suggest a color combo for the logo that doesn't cause pain when someone reads it - or causes someone to just not read it b/c its too hard to focus on. If the group must have orange on green then putting a neutral border around the type will make it more legible.

Comment by Jacques

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:24:52 EDT

@Karl: with all due respect, what expertise does David have to be sitting at the table with regional planners.

Maybe I missed something, but it's Eric Hallstrom that's on this committee. I didn't see anything about David being part of the group.

Maybe I missed it, but if so, I'm not sure how that would be far outside the range of:

 Business
 Nonprofit
 Philanthropic
 Advocacy
 Community‐Based
 At-Large

Comment by MLD

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:17:56 EDT

With all due respect, what expertise does David have to be sitting at the table with regional planners. He's an IT guy!

Read the byline, then think about who the "I" in this article is.

Comment by Xavier

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:17:43 EDT

How can someone like me become more involved in something like the RFC? I have no experience in transportation or city planning or anything like that, but I do enjoy it recreationally. I am huge advocate for transit and biking and TOD, but I'm just a voter when it comes down to it. Is there something I can do to help with this?

Comment by JustMe

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:12:33 EDT

With all due respect, what expertise does David have to be sitting at the table with regional planners.

It's not like the Committee of 100, ANCs, or other community associations know much about planning, either, but they weigh in all the time without even any deference to the expertise of professional planners.

Comment by Karl

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:55:56 EDT

With all due respect, what expertise does David have to be sitting at the table with regional planners. He's an IT guy! This does instill much confidence in the coalition. Sorry David offering opinions is one thing, making decisions that affect the lives of thousands is another.

Comment by EastRiverHeights

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:45:17 EDT

Please tell me there was someone representing East of the River, Ward 7 specifically. Or was this a collection of larger representation i.e. DC MD and VA as a whole?

Comment by Eric H.

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:04:25 EDT

James, Montgomery County is definitely part of the coalition. It was a very large meeting and I can't be certain who was there on the County's behalf.

Comment by James

Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:17:24 EDT

Was Montgomery County at the meeting?