Business Plans from the Grassroots

Oct. 19 2008, 11:00-11:50 am

Can we stop exporting money?
(JULIAN)

There are business plans for cities experiencing weak economies. The Brookings institute etc. These plans are not looked at. How can we get people to understand these plans and relate to them so they are not just "sitting on a shelf" and get these plans implemented. There are "smaller" ideas that can easily been implemented that are over-looked. Citizens can attend a city council meeting but they are very long. Community groups and university and college can get involved but this has not happened.  Windsor's situation is not so unique can learn from other cities. Brookings Inst. focuses on Great Lake cities. A lot of studies but no funds to implement. Kalamazoo is a good role model many "grass roots" organizations windsor does not have this. Who is going to implement these policies? A lot of energy needed many people have to many responsibilities. Only can get so much from volunteers. We need a list of things we can do and set out to church groups and other political groups and check off when done. These lists are agreed upon among these different groups. Perhaps some of these smaller policies can be implemented with very little money even no money. Mainstreet.org good web site for plans for cities with weak economies. These plans are not just from the left. Do not have to reinvent these policies. Very difficult to get issues before council. 

Summary: look at internal and external recommendations and decide which policies should be implemented. Lets not wait for government to get started. Municipal government is not efficient to implement policies so the people can not afford to wait. Grassroots organizations need to identify themselves.