 |
 |
November 08, 2004 - 10:01 PM
Serving Your Country Outside the Military, Part II
By Marc Beechuk and Nathan Kerr
How often have you felt that your congressperson or your president is completely out of touch with how you feel? This is a great reason to do something, show the folks in the Capital buildings that people still care and that we won’t be trampled on by rich bureaucrats. Hard work in this position can pull the country back in the hands of the people.
Getting involved in local politics furthers American democracy.
Civic volunteerism is practiced by individuals looking to make their community a better place. This can take all sorts of forms such as sitting on a local planning or zoning board, getting involved with a local political party, or aiding local groups who support various causes. There are 200 such organizations in Hamilton County alone and you almost never hear about them.
With the problems Cincinnati faces I wonder sometimes how more people are not engaged in this realm of citizenry.
|
|
For those of you who would like to get more involved on issues instead of the day-to-day business of local government, there is a place. Getting in tune with local problems can be a great start. Environmental issues are important to a lot of folks and they may be the easiest to find. Here in Cincinnati we have had problems with the Mill Creek for years and recent efforts have brought the stream closer to proper levels that would benefit us all. Here are two websites that are a good place to begin: www.millcreekresotration.org, www.millcreekwatershed.org. Both efforts have boards and are always looking for help on their causes. Along the environmental lines we have chapters of the Sierra Club, Greenpeace and local groups fighting against environmental racism, pollution and urban sprawl. All of these groups serve semi-governmental roles by influencing legislation and taking on unjust causes.
One can start with planning and zoning boards, which exist in most jurisdictions around town. (Smaller villages and municipalities are exceptions, which fall under the blanket boards of Hamilton County.) The boards range from three to seven “judges” and the positions are acquired by telling the jurisdictions you are interested. When the next opening comes up they sort through all the applications and one is chosen. Anyone of legal age can and does sit on the boards; all the way from developers to soccer moms.
|
The requirements of each board member would be to show up to the meetings having read the case packet that is shipped out usually a week ahead of time. Then, listen to testimony from both sides; similar to a court case but without all the legal babble and rigidity. Don’t get me wrong by thinking that these hearings are a party, but the setting is more relaxed and protocol is suited for first-time visitors. Following the statements, questions are asked on both sides and then the board members make an informed decision that is in accordance with the codes. There may be a handful of cases each meeting with some taking a minute and others up to an hour. If you have never been to a controversial hearing, you would be amazed by the turnout and outbursts these meetings can garner.
There are many other volunteer positions as well, which in Hamilton County could be helping the Planning Partnership (a sector of the Regional Planning Commission), working on local political campaigns or showing up at city council to back a cause. The Planning Partnership is a unique entity which serves to unite all 49 jurisdictions in Hamilton County by forming ideas and making decisions for the region. One of their finest committees is the Program Committee, which serves as an idea and project generator as well as oversees those certain outcomes.
Some of the positions will actually get pay, although it is very minimal, and for the amount of time these citizens put into these jobs it’s practically free labor.
Making the city a better place is an easy task. It begins with you saying that something needs to be done and then going out to take on that injustice. Let your voice be heard. We make decisions every day concerning our livelihood, our children’s or our family’s. Don’t think for a minute that you can’t make Cincinnati an even better place. It needs to be done, and as Cincinnatians we all have the knowledge.
Even if you do not feel up to this responsibility, at least pay attention in the future to cases that may have an impact on your life. Show up, voice an opinion, and you’ll be ahead of the curve.
Links
· QCF Magazine -- Part I “Serving Your Country Outside the Military”, Part I
· State and Local Gov. on the Net
· Ohio Arts Council
· www.planningpartnership.org
· www.millcreekresotration.org
· www.millcreekwatershed.org
· Hamilton County Planning and Zoning
Contact Information
· marcb@queencityforum.com
|
|
| |
|
|
