In addition to some great things we learned from our panelists at the Public Meeting, we learned a great deal about the meeting attendees. Open this PowerPoint presentation to find out who was there and what concerns them most.
At the VOICE Public Meeting, the panelists provided a rich discussion on a broad range of topics, including historic patterns of development and growth in Omaha, and how our city’s culture and community would be affected should a beltway be built. The panelists all agreed that the link between transportation and social mobility is strong; urban design, they said, has a direct effect on equal opportunity. Citing initial expenses and long-term costs, de-centralization (of jobs, money, population) from the city’s eastern core, continued sprawl, the over-extension of infrastructure, and concerns about how a beltway would negatively affect east Omahans, the panel generally advocated in favor of expanding and improving the public transportation system, rather than committing all of our money and energy to a beltway. By the end of the meeting, the attendees were in agreement with the panelists, moving into a spirited discussion about how VOICE could help educate the public and build momentum around a movement to develop transportation in Omaha, rather than around it.
One of the many meaningful things that came out of our public meeting discussion was a suggestion by panelist Willie Barney to bring together VOICE with the Empowerment Network, a united group of African-American leaders and neighborhood residents focused on the empowerment of African-Americans, North Omaha, and the entire Greater Omaha Area. The first step in developing such a relationship is for VOICE members to attend the Empowerment Network’s monthly community meeting, which will be held this Saturday, February 13th. Please join us! All are welcome and encouraged to attend.
Empowerment Network Meeting
North High School
4410 N 36th Street
Saturday, February 13
9:00 – 11:30 AM
The following is an account of the VOICE Public Meeting as told by attendee and architect, James Leach. If you were unable to attend the meeting, it provides a complete outline of the meeting and discussion.
My first active participation with VOICE was the January 26th meeting at the Bemis featuring a panel discussion focusing on urban design with a specific emphasis on the MAPA-proposed beltway. I am a Midtowner by choice and an architect by profession and I try to stay informed about urban and environmental design issues in Omaha. I had already read the Reader’s December article “Beltway or Bust” and was firmly anti-beltway before the meeting, but I wanted to learn more and hear other viewpoints.
The meeting opened with the polling of attendees. Results were instantaneously displayed to the group by way of magical electronic devices. Group demographics were registered as well as the big question of level of support for the beltway. Attendees were largely against the beltway with some undecided and a very small number in support.
VOICE assembled a knowledgeable panel and their discussion was enlightening and quite broad. Topics ranged from the historic patterns of development and growth of the city, to encouraging infill development, to developing effective intermodal transportation, to the link between transportation and opportunity, and of course, the beltway. The panel was strongly anti-beltway citing initial expense and long-term costs, de-centralization (of jobs, money, population) from the city’s eastern core, encouraging sprawl and the over-extension of infrastructure. After the discussion, a re-vote on attendees’ support of the beltway suggested that most of the undecideds were swayed to the anti-beltway camp.
To conclude the meeting, attendees were asked to break into small groups and develop “next steps” to be posted and voted on by the membership as a guide for future action. This resulted in few actionable objectives but revealed an interest among attendees in continued exploration of public transportation issues.
Leaving the meeting, I took away the following first impressions:
Have you ever considered volunteering on a non-profit board, but weren’t sure where to start? Understandably! One of the things that makes Omaha great is the many opportunities to get involved in our community, get your voice heard, and truly make a difference. Ready 2 Serve Omaha is a fantastic place to start. Register online and get connected to boards, committees, and councils that align with your interests and strengths. Not quite sure you’re prepared to serve on a board? Then take a look at the Ready 2 Serve board training workshop. This one day event will take place on February 2, 2010 and offers an in-depth glimpse at all you need to know about serving on a board. If this seems interesting, you may want to register now – last year’s event sold out.
Today the Nebraska legislature begins its special, budget-cutting session to address a $335 million budget shortfall. Senator Jeremy Nordquist has launched a website, www.NebraskaBudget.com, where you can submit your priorities and offer input on the state budget. Senator Nordquist states he is “fully committed to ensuring the voice of the public is heard.” Now that’s what we like to hear! Go take this very short survey — the results go directly to the Governor and members of the Appropriations Committee.
