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TOWN MEETING '76 MIDCITY COMUNITY
THE STORY
May 31, 1976 Washington, D.C.
We the people of the United States began our history
through pioneering in freedom. In spite of alleged footdragging
and setbacks through wars and confiscation of Indian lands in
the interest of freedom, America' s revolutionary efforts against
tyranny in all forms led to pioneering in many instances throughout
nations to promote freedom for everyone. Emerging peoples have
found hope in the evolution of our national concepts. While the
emergence of diverse groups granted liberty to many individuals
and minorities, it also caused oppression to others.
Refining our present concepts of freedom and responding
to governmental corruption and under-representation calls for
interest in community action. In addition to spiraling inflation
and poverty, there is a noticeable laxity in family morals. Women's
liberation and space probings are a couple of indicators that
the struggle for freedom still flows warmly within our
veins.
The celebration of the nation's 200th birthday is the moment in history which can give a new vision for the new generation. It is clear that the future demands accountable representation of everyman through responsible government and care structures. The rise of the little man from the grassroots will lead this nation into the next 200 years of history as a sign to the whole world.
TOWN MEETING '76 MIDCITY COMMUNITY
THE MIDCITY SONG
May 31, 1975 Washington, D.C.
UNITED WE STAND
(Tune: Beautiful Dreamer)
Our revolution is two centuries gone,
S'posed to give freedom, but still we fight on.
Our country's gone through many a trial,
So come with us then and we'll walk the mile.
Engaging in laughter, planning and work,
Bring all our families and build a new earth.
Work through the problems, build our dream's plan,
Sing of a nation remaking its land,
Sing of a nation, united we stand.
TOWN MEETING '76 MIDCITY COMMUNITY
Guild A & D Challenges
May 31, 1975 Washington, D.C.
The underlying challenge is educating our "system" in living + social
values which has to do with closer community organization needed, and
greater social awareness by all organizations, greater outreach by all
organizations to social needs and better human and
social relationships.
LIFE of values between family and community members which has to do with
our divorce rate, "we" vs. "they"
mentality, crime and dishonesty.
3. EFFECTIVE UTILI- In the arena of practical distribution the underlying challenge is the
ZATION OF WORLD readjustment for the effective utilization of the world's resources
RESOURCES which has to do with the elimination of filth and wanton destruction of
goods, the restoration of usable properties for the needy, the need for
community solidarity to effectively use resources.
4. BETTER USE OF In the arena of better use of resources the underlying challenges of our
RESOURCES educationa1 emphasis not being placed on the use of birth control,
careless use of abundant resources, women not being used in their fullest
capacity, and immigration of foreigners which leads to our country's
unemployment situation. The manifestations deal with our educational
system as a whole. We deal with these problems in the home life, church
life, school life, and community life. Better education and understanding
of our goods, services, resources, people, etc.,
is imperative.
CRACY VS. is to awaken and to mobilize community to effective and positive political
INDIVIDUAL and economic action, which has to do with too much power in the hands
RIGHTS of a few, not enough power to the people, manifested in landlord profits at
tenants expenses, utility prices, medical services, control of food
distribution and oversurveillance by power
bases.
6. RESPONSIVE In the arena of responsive leadership the underlying challenge is
LEADERSHIP AND enforcement of law and equality of enforcement which has to do with
ACCOUNTABILITY regaining the power of local "grassroots" people, reestablish
accountability channels, by having regular group meetings to include
police and neighborhood people and the idea that leadership is service to
people not self.
TOWN MEETING '76 MIDCITY COMMUNITY
Guild B & C Challenges
May 31, 1975 Washington, D.C.
1.POLITICAL PARTICIPATION The underlying challenge is responsible participation in local
political processes which has to do with promoting community
involvement through such practical training as Town Meeting '76
and Neighborhood Advisory Councils.
2. DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS, The underlying challenge is to provide for more equitable
SERVICES AND MONEY distribution of resources to all which has to do with total tax
reform and long range economic Planning.
will promote community and individual involvement.
TOWN MEETING '76 MIDCITY COMMUNITY
THE PROPOSAIS FOR MEETING THE
ECONOMIC PROPOSALS
May 31, 1975 Washington, D.C.
COOPERATION increase the quality of goods and services propose to develop service
cooperatives at the local level through providing leadership training
and developing means of financing
legislation for a tax bill that would regulate taxes based on all personal
valuable assets and removal of taxes for essential items through appealing
to local congressmen and politicians, tax education, tax reduction on basic
needs, and creating unity among those who agree with
such reform.
NEEDS basic needs, propose to bring services to people through: 1) forming an
agency made up of local citizens with regulatory powers 2) setting up
mobile clinics (health) and home nursing services, 3) setting up a
committee to develop guidelines to determine the basic needs and a sliding
scale to pay for the basic needs.
4. GOVERNMENT We, the citizens of Midcity, in order to promote general welfare, propose
REGULATION government regulation through standardization, medical services, quality
control of air, water, and sanitation.
TOWN MEETING '76 MIDCITY COMMUNITY
THE PROPOSALS FOR MEETING THE
POLITICAL CHALLENGES
May 31, 1975 Washington, D.C.
NEEDS KNOWN leaders propose individual participation in community affairs through
TO LEADERS housetohouse contact in block meetings, quarterly citizen reports to
leaders, and frequent contact between organizations,
leaders, and citizens.
PARTICIPATING sessions of government purpose to require open sessions and
IN OPEN promote citizen involvement and input through local groups as well as
SESSIONS individuals
LEADERSHIP propose that our leaders become better informed through regular meetings
and contacts with their constituents to hear their
concerns about issues.
PARTICIPATION representation, propose voter accountability of leadership through
watching platform issues develop, listing leadership accomplishments, and
calling for replacement mandates leading toward limited
electoral terms.
PUBLIC AND stimulate it to action, propose to use all community resources through
STIMULATE IT contact with leaders' legislators, community organizations, and the public
TO ACTION media.
TOWN MEETING '76 MIDCITY COMMUNITY
THE PROPOSALS FOR MEETING THE
THE CULTURAL CHALLENGES
May 31, 1975 Washington, D.C.
1. GRASSROOTS We, the citizens of Midcity, in order to establish a grassroots information
INFORMATION network to release information and ideas into the local community propose
NETWORK the following: 1) biweekly newsletter, 2) town meetings; 3)
establish current news-line, and 4) establish research team to update
community on what's happening.
2. SIGNS OF COMMUNITY We, the citizens of Midcity, in order to create interest, care and pride in
ACTION the home and community, propose to implement projects of
beautification of the community by providing garbage cans creating
gardening spots, cleanup Projects and community
art projects.
RESPONSIBILITY all citizens in civic responsibilities, propose to use the lawful channels to
enable flow of information between the leaders and the people through
maintaining liaison between leaders and people making it possible for all
eligible persons to vote and informing the public impartially a9 to the
issues.
COMMUNITY propose to organize local community forums through: 1 ) gridding the
FORUMS area of activity, 2) organization of block groups, 3) seminar for local
church coordination.