Deke Copenhaver’s Post

Thanks Andrew Kirtzman for your opinion. Our past never leaves us, and perceived indiscretions often linger. The past is the past. The parallel to discretions is a life journey of assets, and the manner in which we exercise them goes to the good of our community of people. Whether we look nationally or locally, we see our society in desperate need of leadership which will expand the value of citizens, and give people a community to live in, work in, play in, schooled in, and, yes, retire in. Let us not think of indiscretions as the fault of an individual, rather, let us look at how we can change our social, cultural and political structures so they will only allow the best of human behavior to evolve into greatness. I know Andrew Cuomo is asset driven and competency reinforced who will also surround himself with thoughtful and morally grounded advisors. In addition, a network of churches and synagogues will encourage further positive interpersonal discourse, resulting in a community of diverse and valued neiforbors which will work through their indiscretions, and then, we will get our great city of New York back on track to once again be the Big Apple everyone wants a bite of. Finally, we want a future Mayor Andrew Cuomo to be unique in a redesign of our city government so its agencies will not be part of silo operations, rather, are integrated to serve the families of our city, thus, maximizing the quality of our city’s life. Clearly, an article to get us to think and then act - not politically, but what do all of us, all our communities, all our political parties want for our great city and our country! (Dr. Jerry Cammarata is the former Commissioner of the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development and concurrently a member of the NYC Board of Education)

Workforce development. Digital inclusion. Economic mobility. Building a strong local economy. Engaging community. Literacy across a lifetime. These are all areas in which public libraries play a crucial role, and we need our legislators to understand the ways in which our teams contribute to regional infrastructure. #publiclibraries #infrastructure #communityengagement #economicempowerment

"If you’re not at the table, you’re on the menu." Being engaged, active, and informed about the #legislativeprocess is critical to the success of every city, county, and special district in the State of California. Read this compelling piece by League of California Cities Executive Director and CEO Carolyn Coleman, and then visit www.ca-ilg.org to schedule a free appointment to explore how we can help you meet your community's goals. #cities #counties #specialdistricts

Has Kansas City City Hall Stalled you out on an Initiative ? Make Blacks wait for two weeks or more on a legitimate issue? The deteriorating conditions of some urban neighborhoods, Community redevelopment agencies to rehabilitate existing structures,Training, No Growth initiatives, No proper investigation of Harassment, Civil Rights Violations go nowhere. Why your own Black city council stall you out? Pressure is not applied long enough! What is a definition for initiative in government? Government initiatives are a way for people to have their voices heard and get the chance for a vote on issues that they care about. In the United States and in other countries, the government is comprised of representatives of the people who act in those people's interests. If they should fail to do so, however, an initiative is politics' way to allow people to circumvent the legislative branch of government. A direct initiative allows the population to vote on an issue without the legislative branch's involvement. According to this initiative definition, government offices may not always do their jobs correctly; if they do not, then the people need the ability to take matters into their own hands. Protest the City council in order to make a significant impact on Economic Development in our neglected neighborhoods.

In the grand tapestry of politics, the vibrant threads of municipal governance often go unnoticed, yet they are the ones that weave together the fabric of our daily lives. Today, we celebrate the dedicated individuals in municipal politics – the council members, mayors, and local leaders who are the heartbeat of our communities. They are the unsung architects of our local parks, the guardians of our neighborhood streets, and the planners of the communities where our lives unfold. Municipal politicians may not command the national spotlight like their federal and provincial counterparts, but their impact is felt in the most immediate and personal ways. From the safety of our roads to the health of our local environment, they make decisions that touch upon the minutiae of our day-to-day existence. Let’s also uplift the spirited citizens who serve on committees and task forces. These are the champions of community, volunteering their time and lending their voices to ensure our towns and cities flourish. They prove that when it comes to shaping a community, every action, every initiative, and every single decision can make a profound difference. While federal and provincial politics lay the foundations and set the direction of our nation, municipal politics fills in the rich details that make the picture complete. This is a toast to the local leaders and the engaged citizens alike – your contributions are the cornerstone of our community's identity, and your efforts are truly what make our cities and towns vibrant places to live, work, and play. Here's to the power of local governance and the remarkable impact of municipal politics!

Testimony before the U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND REFORM SUBCOMMITTEE ON CIVIL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES Regarding “A Threat to America’s Children: The Trump Administration’s Proposal to Gut Fair Housing Accountability” On January 14, 2020, HUD released a proposed rule redefining how jurisdictions will be expected to comply with the AFFH component of the Fair Housing Act.43 The proposed rule effectively eliminates the AFFH mandate of the Fair Housing Act and discards the equity and opportunity lenses that were key to the 2015 AFFH rule HUD seeks to replace. The proposed rule is premised on the notion that if jurisdictions remove the “barriers” to affordable housing development and let the market operate without constraints, it will solve their affordable housing problems and that, in turn, will solve our fair housing problems. It does not acknowledge systemic discrimination or segregation in any way and it completely ignores the connection between where one lives and the opportunities they may or may not have as a result. It ignores the multitude of disparities that have been created and fostered by persistent segregation or the role that decisions concerning the placement and design of housing and community development investments have on producing them. It has virtually no reference to protected classes and it does not require jurisdictions to provide meaningful explanations for how their housing and community development decisions will address the issues they choose to prioritize. For more information, please see - J. Soto Testimony - 2020.02.05 FINAL (congress.gov) - it is a pretty lengthy reading.... smile This is what folks have to look forward to IF.... https://lnkd.in/g7gZxT6H

On a scale of 1-10 I'd rank my public policy knowledge somewhere between 5 to 6.5. Today I attended the Common Sense Institute Colorado's Eggs & The Economy event and was reminded of how important it is to be an informed citizen. On the day of our first public viewing of Rebecoming Me, CSI released their report on the Economic and Social Costs of Colorado's Foster Youth (shoutout to KUSA-TV, 9NEWS Leader of the Year - John Farnam). The work that our team put into Rebecoming Me and the research done by CSI (without knowledge of each others work) shows the need to address systemic issues from a multi-faceted lense. Data, coupled with real human experience allows us to build empathy and ignites a desire to create meaningful change. Today I was reminded why the work that our team is focused on doing is so important. Converging the human experience alongside the data is one piece of a complex, solutions orientated approach to meaningful change. Our goal is to create more conversations and spaces where we come together to address what really matters in our communities, because in the end we are truly Better Together. Watch Rebecoming Me - https://lnkd.in/g2VWBkqC Read CSI's Report - https://lnkd.in/grMWNPKJ Rachel Farha Peter LiFari JAE ALLYCE Shari Shink Cinamon Watson

Ever heard of accurate disagreement? Minnesota's Civility Caucus brings members of the state House and Senate together across the aisle. The idea is simple: By getting to know members of the “other side” as people, rather than as presumed adversaries with stereotypically held beliefs, more effective, bipartisan legislation will get done. According to Bill Doherty of Braver Angels, the key is accurate disagreement. Read about it in my latest story for Next City: https://lnkd.in/gqhjWccV

Conservative enclaves quit California's oldest city alliance: Recent developments have surfaced in California’s local political landscape. A group of Southern California cities with conservative-leaning city councils have chosen to exit the League of California Cities. Citing differences over policy issues, cities like Newport Beach and Yorba Linda are parting from this 126-year-old coalition which aims to unite municipal voices in the state's political arena. The departure signifies a shift in the dynamic of local government unity, reflecting the growing polarization in political climates. While some argue that operating within the organization is more effective for policy influence, others feel the need to seek representation that aligns more closely with local interests. This move points to a changing strategy amongst cities to advocate for their communities in the complex fabric of California politics. Read more:

Part 2: 7. Changing the Landscape A Turning Point A critical moment arrives when Jordan and Taylor manage to secure a public debate with a prominent city council member who has historically sided with the real estate industry. The debate, broadcasted live, allows them to publicly articulate the urgent need for reform and directly address the counterarguments of their opponents. Their compelling presentation and the outpouring of public support that follows lead to a pivotal shift in the political landscape. Legislative Victory After months of relentless advocacy, the city council votes to adopt the new housing legislation, marking a historic victory for Jordan, Taylor, and the countless individuals and families who will benefit from these changes. The new laws represent a significant step toward equitable urban development, ensuring that the city’s growth includes protections for its most vulnerable residents. A Blueprint for Others The success of their campaign in enacting legislative change becomes a blueprint for other cities facing similar challenges. Jordan and Taylor are invited to share their strategies and insights at national conferences and through various media platforms, helping to spark a nationwide movement toward more ethical real estate practices. Reflection “Changing the Landscape” is a testament to the power of community activism, legal advocacy, and the indomitable spirit of those who fight for justice. The story of Jordan and Taylor’s journey from grassroots organizers to catalysts for nationwide change serves as a powerful reminder that even the most entrenched systems can be transformed through perseverance, solidarity, and the courage to challenge the status quo.