Daily Archives: March 11, 2021

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS The 2020 Steamboat Springs community survey found a high satisfaction rate among most Steamboat residents who responded, and public safety, locals housing, climate action and open space were among the top priorities they listed.

The survey, which was mailed to 2,500 households and received a 36% response rate, asked residents about inclusivity, government performance, public safety, general quality of life and community priorities.

Theres always a lot of conjecture and a lot of opinions that you hear on the street. You read the blogs, and you try and form opinions as to which direction the city should go, City Manager Gary Suiter said. When cities do this (survey residents), it provides a statistically valid response to City Council upon which they can form their policy decisions.

Surveys were sent out to 2,000 full-time and 500 part-time residents in November 2020, and responses were compared with responses from previous years as well as other resort communities of similar size.

Residents reported higher satisfaction levels this year than in previous years in several areas: animal control, street repair, public information and communication services, city recreation facilities, municipal court, city recreation programs, economic development efforts, overall customer service by city employees, police services, Financial support of nonprofit organizations, crime prevention, storm drainage and overall quality of life.

A lot of the communities saw similar positive responses for government performances due to COVID, said Laurie Urban, director of client success at Polco, an online platform aimed at helping connect local governments and communities. Many people were satisfied with the way local governments handled COVID and that helped instill trust in local governments.

Urban also said Steamboats results ranked higher than those comparable communities.

These improvements are very intentional, Suiter said.

However, many Steamboat Springs City Council members said council should try and focus on where improvements are needed, rather than spending too much time applauding the positive results.

We can talk about all the good things, but I like to look at where we need to improve, council member Kathi Meyer said.

When asked to rank their top priority, 47% of respondents said maintaining police, fire and EMS services, 44% said supporting new community housing for locals, 34% said climate action and resiliency and 29% said maintaining wildlife habitat and open space acquisition.

I appreciate the fact that the community considers public safety services at the highest level of importance, council member Robin Crossan said.

When asked about the citys parks and recreation opportunities, 55% of respondents said they wanted to maintain facilities at their current level with no new tax or fee, 22% wanted to pay a new sales tax to improve and enhance the maintenance of current amenities, 16% wanted a property tax to improve and maintain amenities, and 7% wanted to pay higher fees for amenities.

Council members said they needed to unpopular but important discussions about needing more funds to maintain and improve city parks and amenities.

At some point in the future, well have to have an interesting conversation about parks and rec, because people want their facilities maintained at the current levels, but they dont want taxes put into place to help that, Crossan said. That, to me, is one of those balancing acts we need to figure out.

While the city is deep into discussions about putting a property tax on the November ballot, survey respondents had varied reactions to the topic. Forty-six percent were in support of a property tax for public safety departments, 34% were in support for essential city services, such as infrastructure and snow plowing, 25% were in support for parks and amenities, and 18% were in support for local and regional transit.

As for a tax on recreational substances, such as alcohol, tobacco and marijuana, 53% were in support of such a tax if it went to mental health services, 43% for supporting public safety departments, 35% for improving parks and amenities, 29% for improving transit and 23% for general fund expenditures.

To reach Alison Berg, call 970-871-4229 or email aberg@SteamboatPilot.com.

Original post:

Community survey finds residents more satisfied with city in 2020 - Steamboat Pilot and Today

An intentional community in rural Uganda is drawing on green technology, local resources, and old-school philosophy to create a thriving village.

Okere Mom-Kok was destroyed during the Ugandan Civil War in the 1980s, but is now being rebuilt into a sustainable community thats home to 4,000 people.

Okere City is based around sustainable principles like renewable energy and the sustainable harvesting of natural resources.

The village has a clinic, church, school, a nightclub that doubles as a community center, markets, bars, and a bank. Electricity generated through solar energy is available to everyone, and clean waterthanks to modern boreholemethodskeeps the all-too-normal cholera outbreaks in the region at bay.

An expert in international development and graduate of the London School of Economics, Ojok Okello started the project with a $54,000 investment from his own pocket. The village of Okere Mom-Kok was where he had some extended family, and it was during a visit that he decided to put what he learned in university to action.

I dont want this project to be at the mercy of some white people, Okello told The Guardian, explaining how he had seen many NGO-funded projects on the continent fail by not involving the very communities they were helping.

I want us to have business conversations with partners. I want us to be responsible for shaping the destiny and the future of the project.

While the Okere City project might conjure images of an equitable utopia, theres a lot of business and banking knowledge that Mr. Okello utilized to ensure the community could survive and grow.

All businesses in the town pay for themselvesfor example, the school allows pupils to pay up to half their tuition in sugar, beans, firewood, or other commodities, while the clinic has flexible installment-billing policies. An Okere City investment club runs a sort of credit union by taking members dues and offering them as loans to those in the community who need themoften to develop local resources.

MORE: One Way To Help Endangered Chimpanzees? Uganda is Planting 3 Million Trees

Once the loans are repaid, the money is loaned out again, a style of banking locals describe as uniquely African.

However, the defining fiscal characteristic of Okere City is its shea trees.

RELATED: Traps That Once Snared Ugandas Wildlife Are Turned into Intricate Art With Snares to Wares

I looked at [the shea tree] and realized that we have this important natural resource and we were not harnessing it, Okello told The Guardian. And I thought about [Marvel Cinemas] Wakanda and Black Panther, they had vibranium, this shea tree could be our vibranium.

CHECK OUT:Designer Works to Erect First Modern Village to Generate its Own Electricityand Foodin 100% Sustainable Loop

So I am like: Damn, Im going to invest everything within my means to tap this resource, to protect [it], and to use it to emancipate my community.

Build Up Some Positivity By Sharing The Good News With Your Friends On Social Media

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Inspired by Marvel's Mythical 'Wakanda', Ugandan Village is Built on Shea Butter and Solar Power - Good News Network

by Daniel Kushner, Jackie Ratner, and Jeff Schlegelmilch|March 10, 2021

Photo: iStock

What does it mean to be resilient? Although the definition may vary slightly when referring to a specific kind of resilience, the foundational premise is the same: resilience is sustained stability and the ability to rebound in the face of adversity.

This question is the foundation of a partnership between Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, and the National Center for Disaster Preparedness (NCDP) at Columbia University. The partnership will take a deep look at the kinds of vulnerabilities that exist in communities across our nation, and examine how interdisciplinary partnerships, particularly between industry and academia, can work together to build community resilience.

As part of the partnership, this post kicks off a series about the resilient grid of the future and new ways electric utilities can address vulnerabilities to climate and disaster by making intentional changes to infrastructure beyond structural components alone, and engendering an economic and social ecosystem of resilience. For this first post, well be focusing on the potential of microgrids.

While the traditional electric grid is one of humanitys greatest innovations, new resilience-building technologies are allowing us to enhance that foundational system, providing the capability to leverage distributed energy resources (that is, small-scale power generation and energy storage) and improve energy resilience through microgrids and other innovations. Electric utilities all over the world are addressing community vulnerabilities to climate change and related disasters by investing in microgrid technology, a unique energy system that can provide power to a community by operating in conjunction with the grid or independently.

As electric utilities begin to focus on resilience at the local level, academic institutions like NCDP are researching the complexities and vulnerabilities that put communities at risk from major disasters, focusing on system readiness across the United States. From a national lens, the community microgrid model is of particular interest, demonstrating how attention to local energy resilience builds capacity for regional response and recovery.

The microgrid ComEd is installing in the Bronzeville neighborhood of Chicago, the Bronzeville Community Microgrid, is part of the first utility-operated microgrid cluster in the nation, and it is demonstrating what increased energy resilience looks like for a community and nearby areas. The Bronzeville microgrid is projected to provide more than 1,000 residences, businesses, and public institutions with a new layer of defense when it comes to storm-related power outages. Not only that, keeping the power on in Bronzeville means that surrounding areas can utilize the neighborhood as an oasis in times of great need, extending the benefits of energy resilience.

Enhanced energy resilience can have direct and indirect impacts on a communitys economic health as well. Although investment in microgrid technology can be costly, microgrids often result in lower energy costs for customers and businesses due to their efficiency in managing energy supply and the access they provide to the energy market. Solar panels installed as part of the Bronzeville Community Microgrid at nearby Dearborn Homes public housing development in 2019 serve as an opportunity to demonstrate future economic resilience. As a Chicago Housing Authority property, Dearborn Homes is now part of a solution to drive decarbonization in the neighborhood and fuel economic growth through the green jobs that come with installation and maintenance, and lower energy costs for residents.

In addition, the economic benefits of microgrid technology and distributed energy resources can extend far beyond energy costs. For example, the Bronzeville Community Microgrid deployment provided the opportunity for workforce training in solar panel installation, a trade that is projected to increase by 63% before 2028. When more green, sustainable, and resilient energy technology is deployed within a community, more jobs are created to install and maintain it.

Indirect economic impacts of increased energy resilience also include changes to household spending as higher efficiency can result in lower energy costs. These can be more challenging to measure, but data on economic resilience and its connections to energy will continue to emerge as these systems grow increasingly interconnected.

Community interdependencies are significant: a disruptive event in one location or within a demographic segment can dramatically affect those adjacent. This is a vulnerability that requires close attention to how populations, communities, and their energy systems are connected to one another. In order to best support connected systems and communities, our infrastructure must be strategically linked as well.

Interconnectedness is an important measure in resilience research. The resilience of a community reflects that of its individual components, a truth that becomes increasingly evident as climate and disaster science gathers data on communities affected by catastrophes. It is important that baseline resilience indicators including community capital are assessed in tandem with other indicators like infrastructure, recognizing that all parts of our complex societal systems are interconnected, and therefore no single stakeholder can address vulnerabilities in isolation.

All communities should benefit from innovative technology and clean energy resources, especially communities who have historically experienced disinvestment. Whats more, it is time to take a closer look at how fixing conditions at a local level can enhance not only a specific neighborhood, but all the areas connected to it.

NCDP and ComEd are continuing to expand our understanding of how investments in energy will continue to build resilience. With expanding collaborations with the Columbias Center on Global Energy Policy, this partnership is looking ahead, utilizing a growing evidence base on the health and environmental benefits of reimagining our electric grid, to foster resilience rather than patch vulnerabilities.

Paradigm change starts with thought leadership and connecting the dots across various fields of electrical engineering, disaster research, and energy policy. This ongoing partnership will continue to broaden the discussion on the intersection of diverse fields, and share lessons, insights, and future visions to help foster the development of a resilient grid of the future.

_________________

Daniel Kushner is manager of Smart Grid Programs at Commonwealth Edison. He leads the development and strategic planning for grid- of-the-future initiatives, including external communication and content development on emerging technologies, energy storage, microgrids, and smart city deployments. Daniel has produced articles on topics ranging from smart cities to smart grids for such publications as IEEE Smart City, T&D World, and Asian Survey. He holds a BA degree in history from Johns Hopkins University and a PhD in political science from Brown University.

Jackie Ratner is a senior project manager at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness. Her advocacy for public access to disaster-specific knowledge has been recognized in awards for science outreach, and she has spoken at the annual conferences of the American Geophysical Union and the European Geophysical Union, as well as numerous smaller conferences. Her BS with honors in environmental geology was awarded by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and she was accepted to the earth science doctoral program at the University of Oxford.

Jeff Schlegelmilch is a research scholar and the director of the National Center for Disaster Preparedness at Columbia Universitys Earth Institute. His areas of expertise include public health preparedness, community resilience and the integration of private and public sector capabilities. He is the author of Rethinking Readiness: A Brief Guide to 21st- Century Megadisasters (Columbia University Press). He holds a masters degree in public health from UMASS Amherst in health policy and management, and a masters degree in business administration from Quinnipiac University.

Learn more about the role of energy utilities in fostering climate and disaster resilience at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness website.

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How to Build a More Resilient Energy Grid for the Future: Part 1 - State of the Planet

The tragic destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in March 2001, which was broadcast across the globe, led to a global recognition of the need to protect cultural heritage at risk.

The empty niches of the giant Buddhas in the Bamiyan Valley of Afghanistan are a perpetual reminder of our duty to protect cultural heritage, and what future generations stand to lose if we do not. Today, these niches are inscribed on the World Heritage List as part of the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley World Heritage property.

Although the destruction of heritage and the plundering of artefacts has taken place since antiquity, the destruction of the two Buddhas of Bamiyan represented an important turning point for the international community. A deliberate act of destruction, motivated by an extremist ideology that aimed to destroy culture, identity and history, the loss of the Buddhas revealed how the destruction of heritage could be used as a weapon against local populations. It highlighted the close links between heritage safeguarding and the well-being of people and communities. It reminded us that defending cultural diversity is not a luxury, but rather fundamental to building more peaceful societies.

Since the destruction of the Buddhas of Bamiyan, the Afghan authorities and the international community, including UNESCO, have worked tirelessly to safeguard the rich cultural and natural heritage of Afghanistan, which testifies to millennia of exchanges between different cultures and peoples. In 2003, the Cultural Landscape and Archaeological Remains of the Bamiyan Valley was inscribed simultaneously on the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger, in light of the extreme fragility of the niches, the lack of a management framework, and concerns over safety and security.

Since then, thanks to solid and lasting international cooperation, more than USD$27 million have been invested in the conservation and stabilization of the Bamiyan World Heritage property, the empowerment of local communities, the revitalization of intangible cultural heritage, and the construction of a Cultural Centre for Bamiyan dedicated to creativity, among other activities. International partners have remained engaged in this endeavor through operational projects, in particular six successive phases of a project to stabilize the niches that were in danger of collapsing. After more than 15 years, the consolidation of the eastern Buddha niche has been completed, while urgent work is progressing to safeguard the western niche, thanks to funding from Japan. This cooperation has also been extended to seven other component sites in the Bamiyan Valley, including caves covered with murals, remarkable expressions of Indian and Chinese influences along the Silk Roads, and Shahr-e Gholghola Fortress, which marks the origin of the settlement of Bamiyan. These endeavors are supported financially and technically by Japan and Italy. UNESCO has also been pleased to partner with the European Union, Germany, the Republic of Korea, Switzerland and others on its work on Bamiyan.

An international conference in 2017 highlighted the need for further studies on any possible reconstruction of the Buddhas. UNESCO and Springer recently published The Future of the Bamiyan Buddha Statues: Heritage Reconstruction in Theory and Practice, a collection of scientific papers on this extremely complex issue. When we consider heritage reconstruction, each case is unique, and this situation calls for an approach with a deep respect for local communities. UNESCO and its partners have continued to work on this topic, notably through the "International Conference on Reconstruction: The Challenges of World Heritage Recovery", held in Warsaw in May 2018, which resulted in the Warsaw Recommendation on Recovery and Reconstruction of Cultural Heritage.

Tragically, since Bamiyan, we have seen the further intentional destruction of cultural heritage in Syria, Iraq, Libya, Mali and elsewhere. Yet the international community has not stayed silent in the face of these acts of violence. In the wake of Bamiyan, UNESCOs Member States adopted the Declaration on the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage on 17 October 2003. Following the destruction of cultural heritage sites in Timbuktu in 2012, the intentional destruction of cultural heritage was recognized by the international community as a war crime. In 2016, the International Criminal Court found a defendant guilty of war crimes for the directing the 2012 destruction of mausoleums in Timbuktu, the first such ruling by the court. In recent years, UNESCO, including through its Heritage Emergency Fund, has supported reconstruction and emergency preparedness and response efforts in over 60 countries.

As we mark 20 years since the destruction in Bamiyan, we at UNESCO reiterate our support to the Afghan people and reinforce our commitment to stand together with people everywhere to safeguard cultural heritage as an embodiment of our common humanity.

Ernesto Ottone R.UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture

Originally posted here:

Commemorating 20 years since the destruction of two Buddhas of Bamiyan, Afghanistan - UNESCO.org

Id like to thank our City Commissioners for your leadership and unwavering commitment to our city: Vice Mayor Anthony Dorsett, and Commissioners Brandon Smith, Marvin Price, and Joy Smith. I also pay tribute to the past leaders of this city who served with me, for without them there would be no us now. To the members of our City staff familythere is no better team in any City! From the bottom of my heart, it is an honor to work alongside you every day to serve our residents. Your tireless works and deeds dont go unnoticed.

I would be remiss if I didnt thank every healthcare worker and first responder (police and fire) on the front lines of COVID-19. We also recognize in this moment all those in our city battling with COVID-19, and extend our sincerest, heartfelt condolences in memory of West Park residents who have succumbed to COVID-19.

Oftentimes, a State of the City Address is an opportunity for celebration. As we gather today in this, the 16th anniversary year of our founding, I would like to begin by looking back, not for the sake of nostalgia, but for fostering a better understanding of where we are today. Cities do not exist independently of their histories. More often than not, our current hopes and dreams stand in no small part on the shoulders of decisions made in prior decades.

Over the past year, simultaneously we have had a health crisis, social crisis, and economic crisis, yet the state of our city remains strong. We planned and we managed. Although a massive challenge, we are proud to report that during this pandemic we were able to provide Temporary Rent, Mortgage and Utilities Assistance to 53 families, equaling $98,708.56; and Mom & Pop Small Business Grant Assistance which included distribution of personal protective equipment to non-profit and religious institutions in the amount of $26K.

This was a tremendous feat, and we are thankful to be able to bless our residents, small businesses, non-profit organizations and religious institutions in the grand total amount of $124,708.56. Along with this, from April 2020 up until this past weekend, we have been able to feed close to 6,000 families with our free food distributions.

We have progressed immensely in the past 15 years, and the City of West Park is positioned to aggressively advance and continue boldly building our legacy. So now tonight, we get to work! Because our citys future will be set by those coming together to build community and create opportunity.

We are going to be strategically intentional as we continue to build. Today I will share a plan to deliberately focus on three areas: Service, Equality and Empowerment. Focusing on S.E.E. will allow us to keep your needs in mind, ensure we support and serve all residents in the City of West Park, and empower our residents with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in and out of West Park for generations to come for the eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time. They are kneeling with hands clasped that we might act with restraint, that we might leave room for the life that is destined to come.

BOLD NEW ERA: SERVICE

There is a hunger for a fresh approach to our most persistent problems. With new ideas, an emphasis on strategic planning, and a commitment to a more transparent, inclusive city government, we can overcome some challenges. As a city, we are here to serve the community in a professional manner. That means our business culture is all about creating peace of mind for our residents. We do this by building a service-minded city by always keeping our residents and business communitys needs in mind.

The pandemic has turned the world outside our doorsteps into a newly formed wilderness.

Public spaces are now areas to be ventured into sparingly, so for most of us our worlds have shrunk to the size of our homes. Since this is our new normal, how might we design our citys tomorrow so that the outdoors doesnt become a consistent no-go zone, but remains a safe and habitable space? Further, how do we provide the same level of service while protecting residents? I am proud to say that we have already made great strides in this area, but we will continue to push the boundaries that have been set for West Park.

West Park is, and will continue to be, a city that delivers high quality public services to all people in all areas. We will work hard to create opportunities for residents and businesses that prioritize community participation and inclusion for all, and make policies and decisions that create a stimulating and enjoyable life for residents. We are looking at how to retrofit our buildings and public spaces for social distancing, as well as creative ways to virtually deliver services. In this bold new era here are a few ways we will provide service:

Safe Reopening of Parks

While we are cognizant that parks are widely recognized as critical for health and wellness, reducing anxiety, stress, and depression, and improving physical health during this public health emergency, it continues to be our collective responsibility to ensure the safety and welfare of our residents and city staff. With that being said, we are diligently working to find solutions within our means to fully open our parks in a COVID safe manner. In the meantime, McTyre Park and Mary Saunders Park remain open for you to exercise and walk, Monday through Saturday, 8-10 am and 4 pm to sunset.

Youth Programs

For our youth, we recognize that staying physically active is one of the best ways to keep their minds and bodies healthy. Park access is now more important than ever as our children have transitioned to total virtual learning. Right now we have our virtual after school program that runs Monday-Friday from 2-4pm. We are currently working on developing experiences for the youth that emulate the present and future of our parks and recreation that will develop character and team building. With this in mind, in the near future we will be reaching out and surveying our youth to ensure we meet their needs and further, to include them in the decision making process.

Senior Programs

Senior citizens are of most importance to West Park for without them there would be no us.

We have always taken care of them. We also know that they are our most vulnerable population during this pandemic. Our senior program provides an opportunity for fellowship, it soothes and consoles them, relaxes and restores them, and reduces their anxiety, depression and stress. It is our utmost goal to help everyone, particularly our seniors, get through this as safely as possible.

At the same time, it is critical to take precautions. It is our commitment to ensure our senior citizens are safe, protected, and nourished within our parks and recreation program.

As we navigate through the pandemic, our senior citizen programming will continue to provide virtual experiences for our seniors until we can transition back to an in-person, safe setting. In the meantime, we will continue to provide weekly food distributions, social services assistance, and weekly check-ins.

New Amphitheater

There is something powerful about seeing a dream come to fruition. A year ago, while doing legislative work in Tallahassee, the then commission celebrated an end to a grueling yet fulfilling work week over dinner. After dinner we noticed this massive yet beautiful structure. In awe, we walked around it, sat down in it, we dreamed and planned what we could do in it. We saw the seniors, we saw the youth of all ages, we saw entertainment filled community events and the inter-city/inter-county interaction. To say the least, that night was magical. We saw the vision, now we are making it plain. With childlike anticipation in the coming months, we aim to bring a new dimension to our city with the addition of an amphitheater at McTyre Park.

Economic Development

An unprecedented collapse of small businesses will require new services to help businesses sustain themselves in the near future. West Park will continue to develop programs that support our local businesses. This will be accomplished by providing small business grants, featuring new businesses that come to our city in the Community Newspaper, as well as providing highlights of existing local businesses. Our Community and Economic Development Department will continue to develop creative programs that will attract new businesses, and when they do, we expect our residents to fully show our buying power.

Lastly, to provide growth and development support to our businesses, we will work to restore our West Park/Pembroke Park Chamber relationship.

BOLD NEW ERA : EQUALITY

We all recognize that 2020 was an unexpected year. Through all of the challenges and trials we faced, West Park forged ahead. Through all of it, you have proven that the collective character of our city comprises love, care for our neighbors, incredible resilience in the face of unexpected hardship, and a desire to be a part of making this community stronger and better for generations of West Park to come.

As a city, we will ensure that every individual has an equal opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents. We will ensure that we create inclusive and equitable opportunities for all the residents of West Park. We will harness our growth for the good of all residents and we will make certain that everyone has the same opportunities and receive the same treatment and support.

We Love Our City Lets Beautify Our City!

Your city, your community, your street, your neighbors, all of the places and faces that you connect with, are what make West Park so great. Be a kind neighbor. Be a friendly face. Volunteer your time. Support the city. Encourage others to do the same. And because we love our city and take full responsibility for it, we must keep it clean, safe, and resilient, Block by Block. We expect West Park to be aesthetically pleasing, clean, and safe. The end goal is to make West Park the most attractive city to invest in, work in and live in. We accomplish that by assessing, educating and empowering each other to keep our city beautified.

As residents we need to know what we can and cannot do. For example, are we getting the necessary permitting for work done on our homes, are we putting our bulk trash out when we are supposed to, are we being good neighbors by keeping our property clean, and if we see trash, are we picking it up? Also, if we need assistance, are we asking for help through the Community Benefits Program that assists with minor home repair and tree trimming grants, etc.?

In the coming months, you will be introduced to the Love Your Block initiative which will include incentivizing residents with a Holiday Home Decorating and Community Cleanups amongst other things. It is my hearts desire that every resident from the young to the seasoned will have a grand calling of caring for and loving our city.

Community Partnerships

To improve West Park, to make it a place where residents are healthy, safe, and cared for, takes a lot of work. I do know we cant do it alone. There is an old African proverb that says, If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. The issues facing communities today are many and complex and exist on a wide range of scales. But a community partnership is the collaborative answer to address shared objectives. Being a strong community partner is an important role. A partnership is a give and take relationship that leads to long term cooperation and collaboration.

By working together effectively, we can expand our community impact. West Park is committed to partnerships with nonprofit organizations, community groups, churches and businesses whose goals align with our mission, vision, values and that provide additional benefit to our residents. Some of our partners include our area churches; Hispanic Vote; Broward College Broward Up Program; Childrens Services Council for youth afterschool programming; Aging And Disability Resource Center for senior programming; Florida Department of Law Enforcement for safety programs; Broward Community & Family Health Center to keep our community safe; and Florida Municipal Insurance Trust for safety programs.

Traffic Calming

The road to recovery from this pandemic runs along our streets. We will reclaim and reset our streets and do it safely, affordably, and easily, no matter where you live in the city. Without any doubt it is our desire to reduce traffic speed, reduce motor vehicle collisions, and improve safety for residents. To date, we have completed 31 traffic calming projects throughout the city 9 projects in Carver Ranches, 17 projects in Lake Forest and 5 in Miami Gardens.

So many think that the city can just put up a Stop sign or construct speed bumps. But its just not that simple. So that we are transparent, let me share with you the 7 steps involved in this process:

1) Public participation2) Identification of a problem3) Quantification of a problem4) Development of a traffic calming plan5) Approval of a plan by Broward County6) Implementation of the plan and7) Evaluation.

We have done all these, and are at Step 6, which includes securing funding, preparing engineering designs, environmental reviews, and constructing. To date, we currently have 70 proposed projects, 21 projects in Carver Ranches, 24 projects in Lake Forest, and 25 in Miami Gardens. We are continuing to prioritize and locate funding models to fully complete the implementation phase. The abovementioned summary was extracted and analyzed from the Neighborhood Traffic Calming studies performed for each area approximately 8 years ago.

BOLD NEW ERA : EMPOWERMENT

Knowledge is power. The transferring of knowledge from one to another is the essence of empowerment. Knowledge is produced through the exchange of information. Providing knowledge for all residents, and empowering them economically and socially is what we call information exchange. Residents play an important role in this information exchange. We welcome your support at city events and activities, etc. Supporting the entire community will be paramount. Our plan for 2021 and moving forward is an ambitious one. Its also one that I believe will help us shape the future of our city that is full of opportunity, equity and strength. I know its possible, more than ever, because of what I have seen us achieve over the past 15 years.

Information Exchange

Communication has three partsthe sender, the message, and the receiver. Messages can easily be distorted or changed when noise interferes with them. Through information exchange, we are here to cut through the noise and get clear, effective messages across to the residents. We recognize that you want communication thats available, honest, responsive, and genuine. We also recognize that strong communication creates trust in residents. Lastly, your concerns matter. Our hope is that from this day forward all residents will be inspired to become more involved in your city. How can this happen?

We are enhancing the city website to further make it more user friendly, and in an effort to further enhance communication, from today forward, a digital archive of meetings will be available for viewing through the city website which also provides an option to Subscribe / Sign Up For Notifications to get firsthand information alerts via texts and/or emails. Most importantly, the Citys official governmental Facebook page is found under the name The City of West Park. In the near future, every household will receive a Helpful Numbers postcard containing not only the entire Commissions contact info but all departmental numbers also.

As a way to better engage and communicate out to residents, we recommend that residents read the Citys Community Newspaper which is published every other month. Take pride in your newspaper as it includes pictorial features of local schools, daycare centers, the Carver Ranches Boys & Girls Club, church activities, contests, celebrations, local business spotlights, safety tips, the City calendar, and so much more.

Economic Sustainability

When you exit I-95 onto Hollywood Blvd and head west to 441, what do you see? There are banks, gas stations, restaurants, pharmacies, florists, etc. But when you exit onto Pembroke Road, Hallandale Beach Blvd, and you ride west to 441, you dont see that level of development. It is important to know this West Park is open for business! Cities will come back stronger than ever after the pandemic, and West Park will be at the front of the line. And when we do, it will be driven by a new model of growth that emphasizes inclusivity, sustainability, and economic opportunity.

In our efforts to improve quality of life conditions for residents, the Commission has supported several economic assistance programs that benefit residents. Also, our goal is to provide future internship opportunities for college students to learn employability skills right here at home. And the best news is, when this happens, these community benefits will reinvest right back into our community enabling us to help families with other programs such as the Childcare Assistance Grant.

Multigenerational Engagement

Five generations of residents now live in West Park. While there are generational differences, the core need to feel valued and recognized is similar across generations. We recognize the old concept for a new generation may not work with Millennials (Generation Y) nor with Digitals (Generation Z). We recognize you are great entrepreneurs and are extremely resourceful. Not to mention, you are our citys future community builders, business owners, public servants, and families.

My commitment is to engage with you to provide a sense of identity and belonging, create stronger ties for a sense of importance in West Park, and provide an avenue to listen to your point of view to ensure that you know your voice matters. I am open to hear your motivations and share our citys capacity to create better opportunities inclusive of you, with possible activities such as a small business fair/expo.

CALL TO ACTION!

We are in our 16th year of incorporation as a city, and while we are all hoping to put COVID-19 in our rearview mirror as quickly and permanently as possible, may we never forget what we learned about ourselves and each other; may we be cognizant of the COVID-19 aftermath of fiscal storms that will plague West Park; may we become more frugal and vigilant about the future impacts to our budget and address those budget challenges; and most importantly, may we be concerned about the fragility of life and the need to re-dedicate our own to making our City whole, vibrant, and vital.

West Park: Alone, we can do so little but together, we can do so muchso, as we close, and officially celebrate our 16th Anniversary, Id like to share the importance of the number 16.

16 represents the following traits: wisdom, independence, introspection, intuitiveness, analytical, sound arguments, tendency to look for and find answers within from wisdom, demand of itself, self-determination, confidence with inner wisdom, perceptiveness, ability to analyze problems to find viable solutions, intrinsic talent, decisive goals and a desire to pursue them, and solution focused for others.

Biblically, 16 is symbolic of love.

These are the very attributes of a progressive city our city, West Park! As we write chapter 16 together, and when the final page is turned, I want everyone to feel we persevered by uniting as one against any adversity for a citys greatness isnt measured by whats has been accomplished but, rather, by what has yet to be achieved.

For we are stronger together progressing; the winds of change are in our favor. Together is how we build a stronger future. Our city will continue to progress, and because of you we can proudly declare that the state of our city is strong, unified and ready to take on the future!

Let us work together as a team for a city whose legacy we can clearly S.E.E. (Service, Equality and Empowerment).

We are carving a stone, erecting a column, or cutting a piece of stained glass in the construction of something much bigger than ourselves. We are #OneWestPark!

Thank you. May God bless each of you. And may God bless the City of West Park!

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The State of the City address | Miami's Community News - Miami's Community Newspapers

At their March 9 meeting, Internal Auditor Patricia Rosenberg presented the Equity and Inclusion Assessment findings to Asheville City Council.

The assessment began as a request from Black AVL Demands, City Council and the broader community in the interest of transparency, accountability and advancing racial equity in Asheville, and provides a comprehensive overview for the community about equity and inclusion initiatives happening at the City of Asheville.

The Office of Equity and Inclusion was established in fiscal year 2017-2018 as a result of the City Councils goal of an inclusive, diverse community. Many of the offices initiatives have been informed by training and best practices from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), of which the City of Asheville is a member. This includes deployment of the Citys Equity Core Teams and its use of the Racial Equity Toolkit.

The first initiative was the creation of Equity Core Teams with representatives from most City departments to serve as ambassadors for equity in their departments. According to the assessment, the Equity Core Teams have been instrumental in creating guidelines in embedding equity and inclusion throughout the City through the development of the Equity Action Plan and Equity Budget Tool.

The assessment also noted the Citys use of the GARE Racial Equity Toolkit to incorporate equity into decision making at all levels of the organization. Employees who have used the Racial Equity Toolkit have noted its demonstrable influence in shaping policies and decisions for the City to embrace what is most impactful for Black, Indiginous, and People of Color communities in Asheville (BIPOC). It has been used for the affordable housing land disposition policy, noise ordinance revisions (still in progress), and the Urban Centers initiative, to name a few.

Another advance noted in the report was the Citys adoption of a Business Inclusion Policy, effective January 1, 2021. This policy moves the City from race- and gender-neutral orientation to a race- and gender-conscious one when making contracting and procurement decisions which means being intentional about the use of BIPOC businesses in the procurement of goods and services.

Also of note, the City this year is using Advancing Racial Equity as a focal lens in the 2021-2022 Operating Budget planning process.

The assessment also identified the following recommendations for improvement.:

Incorporating equity and inclusion into daily operations is a process. We will continue to build capacity to expand this work through more policy analysis, training, and practice, said Assistant City Manager Richard White, who is serving as the Interim Equity and Inclusion Director.

GIS mapping through an equity lens is now used to help prioritize equity for sustainability, road resurfacing, and neighborhood sidewalk prioritization. In addition to the budget process, these are other examples of how equity and inclusion are being embedded to better serve our entire community.

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Equity and Inclusion Assessment presented to Asheville City Council - The City of Asheville

Press Releases

03/10/2021

(HARTFORD, CT) Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is forming a working group with the goal of increasing diversity, racial equity, and inclusion within Connecticuts agriculture industry. Administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Connecticut Agriculture Working Group will focus on engaging and supporting current and future farmers and those in the industry who are Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

We need to do a better job of supporting diversity and inclusion within all sectors of our economy, including agriculture, Governor Lamont said. We want this working group to collaborate on the barriers that prevent people from entering this sector and create recommendations for what the state and agriculture service providers can do to better support diversity and inclusion within Connecticuts agricultural community.

As Connecticut continues to grow and foster its agricultural infrastructure, its critical that we create opportunities that allow our Black and Indigenous residents and people of color to become farmers and thrive, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. This starts with embracing and implementing initiatives that promote racial equity and inclusion across food and agriculture. Through the launch of this working group, we can ensure that the agriculture field better represents our entire population and we are better equipped to combat food insecurity in our underserved communities. This working group, under Commissioner Hurlburts leadership, will serve as a model nationwide that will encourage other states to commit to supporting policies that allow everyone regardless of their race, age or zip code to make a healthy difference in other peoples' lives by working in the agriculture sector.

Connecticut Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt said that there are significant barriers and issues of access to enter and remain in agriculture, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and persons of color. While there is deep, meaningful work that is being done by community groups, there is a need for institutional support for current and future individuals of color entering professions throughout the agriculture sector, he explained.

"In agriculture, we usually talk about the diversity of our farm commodities and types of production, Commissioner Hurlburt said. While diversity is easily seen at a farmers market or in the field, it is not usually represented by those around the table. Through intentional inclusion of BIPOC individuals and organizations and others, we will work to move the needle towards true diversity, equity, and inclusion in Connecticut agriculture. This initiative will ensure that Connecticut agriculture better reflects our population by identifying resource gaps, providing support for businesses to grow, and supplying a connection to markets. I am excited to launch into this endeavor and know we will make a positive difference.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Work Group is a necessary addition to the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes said. Across Connecticut, Black residents, Indigenous residents, and residents of color are working to ensure our agriculture industry is robust, resilient, and a driving force in combatting food insecurity. BIPOC leaders in agriculture deserve to be part of the decision making. This working group will ensure their voices are heard. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee and the chair of the Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations Subcommittee, I look forward to working with the task force on federal legislation to support their crucial work.

The structure of the working groups will be one main working group and five smaller topic subgroups, which will include:

The Department of Agriculture is inviting Connecticut farmers, service providers, nonprofits, educators, and others to participate in the working groups. Nominations must be submitted to the agency by April 4, 2021, and appointments will be identified in mid-April. Nominations are strongly encouraged from individuals of all backgrounds. Working groups will meet monthly, or as determined necessary, for approximately a year and a half. Individuals can express interest in multiple subgroups but will be appointed to only one. To submit a nomination, click here.

Questions can be directed to Cyrena Thibodeau at Cyrena.Thibodeau@ct.gov or Jaime Smith at Jaime.Smith@ct.gov. More information is available at http://www.ctgrown.gov.

Excerpt from:

Governor Lamont Announces Creation of Working Group To Encourage Racial Diversity and Inclusion in Connecticut Agriculture - CT.gov

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Anissa Weier is seen here being led into a courtroom for her sentencing hearing in December 2017. Weier, who has spent more than three years in a state mental hospital, said in order to become a productive member of society a judge should grant her conditional release.(Photo: Michael Sears/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Anissa Weier, one of the Waukesha girls convicted in theSlender Man stabbing, says she has learned to forgive herself for her role in the crime and wants the chance to prove that she can be a "productive member of society."

In a letter filed with the court at a hearing on Wednesday, Weier, now 19 years old, asked a judge for her conditional release from a state mental hospital, nearly seven years after she and her friend set out to kill a classmate when they were 12 years old.

A decision won't be made until at least another two months after the state and defense have time to respond to reports filed by doctors who evaluated Weier in recent months.

In December 2017, Waukesha County Circuit Judge Michael Bohren committed Weierto the maximum of 25 years to the Winnebago Mental Health Institute after a jury foundhernot criminally responsible for her role in the near fatal stabbing of Payton Leutner, who was her sixth-grade classmate at the time. The crimegained worldwide coverage after Weier and Morgan Geyser said they committed the act to appease a fictional online horror character named Slender Man.

As part of her plea in 2017, Weier agreed she wouldn't request her release for at least three years.

Weier, who petitioned to be released in November, briefly spoke in court on Wednesday when asked two questions by Bohren. Her letter portrays someone who is remorseful, has taken her treatment seriously, and accepted her part in the crime while understanding she isn't a finished product.

"I am not saying I am done with treatment," Weier said. "I am saying that I have exhausted all the resources available to me at the Winnebago Mental Health Institute. If I am to become a productive member of society, I need to be a part of society."

Weier's statementswill be used when the state formulates its brief to the court, due by March 26, Waukesha County deputy district attorneyTed S. Szczupakiewicz said.Szczupakiewicz said hehas been in contact with Leutner and her parents on how the state is proceeding.

The defense will then have until April 9 to respond. Aconditional release hearing is scheduled for June 11.

The state and defense don't plan to call on the psychologists and psychiatrists who evaluated Weier to testify on their reports, which Bohren said are "lengthy and thorough."

Maura McMahon, Weier's attorney, said in a message to the Journal Sentinel the doctor's reports "all find Anissa qualifies for conditional release."

"Arguments oftentimes in very serious matters and complicated, sophisticated matters can oftentimes be best presented by written arguments that can be amplified through oral arguments," Bohren said Wednesday.

Bohren must decide whether Weier poses a significant risk to herself or others or ofseriously damagingproperty if conditionally released.

If she is released, Weier would be assigned case managers through the state's Department of Health Servicesthat would provide services to her until she is 37, the length of her commitment. She was credited with the 3 years she served at the West Bend Juvenile Detention Center as her case played out.

If Bohren denies Weier's request, she would return to Winnebago for continued treatment. She would have to wait another six months before petitioning the court again.

RELATED: Here's a question-and-answer on what we know ahead of Anissa Weier's release hearing

Bohren has denied many requests made by Weier and Geyser over the years, including having the case moved to the juvenile court system.

"It was a planned murderby kids," Bohren said at Weier's sentencing hearing. "We can't forget the goal was to kill."

Doctors have testified that Weierwas suffering from a shared delusional disorder that was magnified by her friendshipwith Geyser, who had the early stages of schizophrenia, and their belief that Slender Manwould harm them or their families if they didn't kill someone. Geyser stabbed Leutner 19 times in a wooded park on May 31, 2014, in Waukesha with Weier telling her to "go ballistic." They told authorities they planned to live with Slender Man in a mansion hundreds of miles away and become his proxies. Police arrested Weier and Geyser hours later on the side of a road.

Anissa Weier, who has been committed for 25 years for her role in the 2014 Slender Man stabbing, said in a letter filed on Wednesday that "I hate my actions on May 31, but through countless hours of therapy I no longer hate myself for them."(Photo: C.T. Kruger / Now News Group)

Leutner was found by a passing bicyclist and survived the attack but would have a long recovery.

"I hate my actions on May 31, but through countless hours of therapy I no longer hate myself for them," Weier wrote. "I have forgiven myself for my participations in those events, and I ask that anyone affected forgive me as well. I have learned that forgiveness is a process of healing that helps release the pain of the past. I no longer want to be a source of pain in my community, and that is why I ask for forgiveness."

Charged initially with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, Weier eventually pleaded guilty to attempted second-degree intentionalhomicide. Ajury later accepted her insanity defense by finding her not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect, which avoided her prison time.

TIMELINE: How the Waukesha Slender Man stabbing case played out over the years

The Slender Man stabbing case, centered on Morgan Geyser (left) and Anissa Weier, has ended. Geyser and Weier were 12 when they were charged as adults after nearly stabbing their classmate, Payton Leutner, to death in May 2014.

Geyser, whoseschizophrenia was diagnosed while she was in jail,reached a plea with the state to avoid a trial.Geyser receiveda 40-year commitment to a state mental hospital.

During a "20/20" special in 2019, Leutner said she doesn't fear for the eventual releases of Geyser and Weier but that she still slept with a scissors under her bed.

"I am sorry and deeply regretful for the agony, pain and fear I have caused not only Payton and her family, but my community as well," Weier wrote.

Weier said when she's released she wants to get "someformof higher education" and that she's committed to her health and using this "negative situation and publicity for something good." She impliedthis could be through helping others with mental illness.

Weier said in her letter she has "taken care of" her mental health by participatingin all aspects of hertreatment, and maintaining 100% medication adherence,though she admits she's far from a perfect person.

"Sometimes I take my medications a little late because life gets in the way. Sometimes I lose my way and down seems up, though only for a short period of time because Ive learned to talk about whats going on so I dont become a danger again," Weier wrote.

ContactChristopher Kuhagen at (262) 446-6634or christopher.kuhagen@jrn.com. Followhim on Twitter at @ckuhagenand our newsroom Instagram accounts at MyCommunityNow and Lake Country Now.

Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.

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A woman requesting her release in the Slender Man stabbing asks for forgiveness and chance to be a 'productive' member of society - Milwaukee Journal...