Local decision making opportunities

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BeyondVoting - overview

Opportunities for Change - summary of possibilities

New Tools for Democracy - plugging Plato into the net

Impact on Existing Institutions - from local civics to city hall

[edit] Decentralization

When the Bronx is under 20" of snow, Staten Island might barely see a flurry. Yet the city acts as a single unit in making decisions to suspend its Street Cleaning Regulations. When this happens, tens of thousands of cars are forced to move unnecessarily. Collision, congestion, fuel waste, costs, pollution, and incivility result.

With snowfall unpredicatble, decision making on initially suspending the SCRs might appropriately be made on a citywide basis, with the decision made by the mayor and sanitation commissioner. But once the snow has stopped, give the Department of Sanitation's district superintendent, in consultation with the communty board's district manager, the local decision making responsibility. The SCR street signs should provide the local community board's web address for status reports.

Decentralized decision making and efffective local communication systems will enable a more resident-friendly city. The following lists actions appropriate for local decision making. What other decision making opportunities should be made locally? And by whom? Add your suggestions by editing this list.

Street Cleaning Regulations - Sanitation's district superintendent and CB's district manager.
Health Awareness - With quality data and maps, board and especially health committee members can locate disease hot spots, alert appropriate medical personnel, and facilitate awareness campaigns.
Transportation Planning - Where are the trucks and bikes to travel? Which streets can be narrowed, closed, or expanded? These are local decisions for local residents.