Guest MINDSETTER™ John Giangregorio: Building Trust in Worcester’s Government
Thursday, May 14, 2015
This helps build trust and confidence in our city government and strengthens any proposal or proposed improvement. Businesses, residents, and property owners add value to projects. Businesses, residents, and property owners have intimate knowledge and experiences to contribute to the design and planning process. Once engaged as a meaningful and valued participant citizens develop ownership of the process and outcome. This develops trust and understanding with the proponents and government. People want a clear understanding of the process and how the improvements and/or development will effect them and figure a way to mitigate any of their concerns. It allows for an understanding through communication of all interests concerns and what the process is. Stakeholders have a reasonable, legitimate, and lawful right to understand how they will be impacted. A good neighbor does not have to be reminded of this.
Frankly where public state or federal monies are involved public participation is required by law. The city has unfortunately ignored this responsibility under prior administrations. We expect the city government to manage our city but to be respectful of our concerns (It's taxpayer money) and abide by the rules.
Finally, the city needs to address the neighborhoods in a public respectful manner and approach. The idea of selecting individuals to co-opt the public process or usurp the legitimate community groups or business associations is unseemly.
There is a simple formula. Take the concept to the community, engage the community in a focused conversation, and work out a consensus. That does not mean we always agree but at least we understand one another.
John Giangregorio is the President of Worcester's Canal District Business Association.
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