‘Letter to the Editor’ Archives
Call for Dialog and Mediation
Letter to the Editor By STEVE SANDBERG I am writing to call for support of a formal, transparent dialogue and mediation process between the board of the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute (EPNI) and the Community Advisory Council. Recent termination of staff positions and subsequent staff resignations have led to concerns about the EPNI board’s commitment to community governance and ownership. Such a commitment, over the past many years, was an essential part of the success and financial support that has brought the project within reach of a purchase agreement for the southern half of the Roof Depot property. As a result of the upheaval surrounding this rapid loss of EPNI staff, financial backers are taking a wait-and-see approach. This puts the entire project in jeopardy. Community involvement in the decisions being made is essential. Community stakeholders have offered mediation services, and the board of EPNI needs to accept and thereby [...]
Honor Efforts of the Past and Work Together
Toward Future EPNI Success By JOAN VANHALA Statement read at October EPNI Community Meeting. Too many times, in the past, I have witnessed Phillips neighborhood folks attack each other when the money starts to land. Now is not the time for pointing fingers, but it is the time to honor the efforts of the past and work together for success. I am a 35 year East Phillips resident and am a strong supporter of the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute’s (EPNI) efforts over the years. I have also made a commitment to be on the EPNI Community Advisory Committee. Many, many people, neighbors, and organizations, including Little Earth, have supported EPNI in powerful ways and led, against all odds, to successful achievements. Without this broad support we would never have been able to achieve what we [...]
A letter to the Phillips Community
Goodbye and gratitude from outgoing PWNO director J Randolph By J RANDOLPH Hello friends, neighbors, and colleagues: It is with bittersweet feelings that I let you all know that, by the time this is published, I will have stepped down as the Phillips West Neighborhood Organization's executive director. As some may know, I have been accepted to a masters program in urban planning at Queen's University Belfast in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and I will be moving across the Atlantic at the end of this month to begin this next chapter of my life. With my departure, you may all need new contacts for the organization.● General inquiries/default contact: info@phillipswest.org● PWNO phone number (text or call): (612) 424-0786● Programming, events, communications, and partnerships: EllaKampelman, Community Organizer (ella@phillipswest.org)● Housing programming/resources, renter rights, and environmentalhousing upgrades: Hannah Jerrie, Housing [...]
