Neighborhood Advocate Needed

This article was first published by The (Durham) Herald Sun on 26 March 2008.

I agree whole-heartedly with the Durham People's Alliance's request of City Council to hire a neighborhood advocate with legal and planning experience (Forum, March 21). Citizens should not have to spend substantial resources and funds (in addition to their taxes) for their voices to be heard.

Anyone who attempts to read (and understand) the UDO will have no trouble agreeing that the neighborhoods need, at the very least, a knowledgeable resource person from whom they can seek advice, education and assistance with neighborhood concerns and initiatives.

The most practical way forward is to create an independent, city/county shared position since a lot of development, and all school issues go to the county, not the city. Of course, there is the possibility of this independent person being beholden to government officials, but that's the downside of the real world and definitely a risk worth taking.

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