Minutes 10/09/1973 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

140 October 9, 1973 73-441 - The following letter received from Mrs. Anne H, Long, President, Board of Directors, Wesley Community & Child Service Center, Inc.~ was read: "On June 3, 1973, at the request of Dr. Gladstone M~ Hill, ~resident of the Ports- mouth-Chesapeake Council on Human Relations, I appeared before the Citizens Advisory Committee. At that time, I requested that the Coramittee involve itself more directly in the problems of vacancy rate, relocation procedures, and fair housing policies. I also submitted some very specific questions in each of three areas which are, as you are well aware, of the utmost concern to the residents of the extremely blighted Southside are. (See enclosed) My letters and questions were given by the Chairman to Mr. Arnold Leon, chairman of the Workable Program Sub-conmittee, who soon thereafter resigned from the CAC. On September 25, 1973, I wrote to Dr. Harvey N. Johnson, Chairman, stating that I had received no response to my questions. I pointed out that the next meeting of the CAC was scheduled for October 1 and that I was expecting a report at that time. No report was given on October 1, and and questions. [ should like to point out Citizen Involvement, is as follows: there has as yet been no response to my letter that the Workable Program requimemen~, under 'The Workable Program requires clear evidence that the Community provides and continues to expand, opportunities for ~itizens, especially those who are poor and members o,f minority groups, to participate in all phases of the related HUD- assisted renewal and housing programs. The particular organizational means for ~o~uAit~ involvement is left to the discretion of each community, but the com- munity must demonstrate its WorkAble Program submission that it provides clear and direct access to decision making, relevant and timely information, and necessary technical assistance to participating troups and individuals in pro- grams covered.' (Page 18 H~D-1081 11-68) According to the by-laws, the purpose of the 1S-member Advisory Committee is: 'to assist in community effort to prevent and eliminate urban blight and com- munity deterioration. To this end, the committee shall keep abreast of community ~et~¥i~±~s~publ~ and~pr~ate~as~h~:~ela~o~p~n~ing, urban renewal, housiBg and housing code enforcement; a~sist in developing goals for improve- ment where needed; examine local resources ~r accomplishing the objective of elimination and prevention of urban blight and community deterioration; pursue methods and means for achieving determined golas and serve as the catalyst or medium for bringing private resources into the community to assure every citizen a decent home zn a decent neighborhood.' (From By-laws of Citizens Advisory Com- mittee Purpose The Wesley Community and Child Service Center, Inc. feels that it has gone through ~he proper channel, has ~aited four months, and has been deli~er~gnored. We here- by request you, as Mayor of the City of Portsmouth either to recommend dissolution of the CAC as presently constituted, or to. make certain that it functions according to its by-law~ and in accordance with the requirements of the Department of Housing and Urban Development~" ~otion of Mr. Holley and seconded by Mr. Smith, to be referred to the CAC and City Attorney review Mrs. Long's letter and determine the requirements of CAC By-laws, ~as adopted by unanimous vote. Motion of Mr. Smith and seconded by Mr. Johnson, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m. APPROVED City Clerk