[Cadre-politics] how did 2008 CDBG hearing go

[Dan MacNeil]

Parseghian, Muriel wrote:
> Dan:
> 
> How did it go last night?  It was too long and drawn out. It is so
> unfair for those agencies which were on late at night.
Laura will correct me if I err, but I think it went ok.

Thanks to Laura, Charlotte, Pete, (Mimi), Melissa, Dan T, Ali for
coming out and (for being ready to come), Christine.

Thanks also to Laura for walking the dogs when we got home even
though she had to get up earlier than I did.

The one committee member I know a little bit personally was
smiling warmly. The rest of the committee was neither skeptic.
nor overly enthusiastic.

I think I covered all the points, we needed to cover. The
possibility of using search results to determine needs got the
most reaction. There were a few people blinking at the news that
shelter was the most popular search and the Middlesex
transitional living center was the most visited agency. (Thanks
to Chris Shannon to figuring out we could measure this)

I spoke too softly, but managed to speak into the mike. I said
"umm" a fair amount. I mentioned LTC only twice.

There is a chance for the public to enter comments into the
record and I'll let people know about this in a shorter more
focused message.

It was obviously a political process. Democracy isn't possible
without politics, this is a good thing.

As odd as it sounds, it is pretty common for there to be overlap
between

For those following along at home, the federal government gives
"Community Development Block Grants" to cities like Lowell. The
government picks a citizen committee who picks the grantees.
Everyone gets to submit, everyone gets (3 minutes) to speak.

I spoke at about 11:30pm (scheduled for 8:30pm).

I think Mimi was  absolutely right to suggest we try for a big
turn out. Next year, it would make more sense to (as Ali did)
have people show up close to a break and make an effort to speak
to individual committee members.  ---Or we can compete with
Victoria Falhberg & OneLowell.net to be the first group to submit
a proposal, be the first group to speak, and bring a mob to the
podium.