This is NOT the official website for Community Board #1.
Their official site is located at: www.cb1.org
This is the response from Richard Kennedy
SHOULD WE RESTORE ANNUAL ELECTIONS WITH TWO YEAR TERM LIMITS FOR THE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD STARTING IN 2006?
While I believe that the two-year term limits were important in maintaining continuity of the board in the very chaotic and critical time after 9/11, I believe it may be time to revisit that policy. If elected chair, I would appoint a committee to evaluate the current situation and encourage discussion among the entire board on the issue. I think the role of the board officers is to serve the rest of the board, and the community at large, and I would support a full-board vote on the matter of annual elections.
SHOULD ALL COMMUNITY BOARD AND COMMITTEE (SUB) MEETINGS BE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC?
Absolutely. In my 13 years on this board, CB1 has benefited greatly from the variety of perspectives of its members, and also of the broader community. I believe that open meetings are essential, except in special situations, to encourage participation among members, our downtown neighbors and other interested parties. If elected chair, I would ensure that meetings are announced in advance and in a variety of ways (email, mail, postings, etc.), and encourage broad participation.
PLEASE GIVE A DETAILED EXPLANATION AS TO THE RELATIONSHIP OF "FRIENDS OF CB#1" AND THE ACTUAL BOARD AND THE PAID STAFF
Friends of CB1 is a non-profit set up to support initiatives of the Community Board that benefit the Lower Manhattan community. These include post-9/11 research on the status and needs of our community, the Millennium High School, and others which would not have been possible without the philanthropic resources Friends of CB1 provides. The staff that is funded by Friends of CB1 is required to work on Friends initiatives, but also provides general support to the community board itself. We must have a clear understanding and full reporting to the board.
SHOULD WE ENCOURAGE PARTICIPATION FROM OF ALL MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND REDUCE THE IMPACT FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE?
I believe that all members should participate in issues that interest or impact them. I believe committee level discussions are important because they allow more time to be devoted to each issue. I do believe, however, that it is important to raise community-wide issues at the full board meeting, and also to encourage non-executive committee member participation at executive committee meetings. If elected chair, I will work to ensure that people are made aware of all CB1 meetings and that the agendas are set and distributed well in advance of meetings.
SHOULD WE INSTITUTE MORE "SUBJECT MATTER" COMMITTEES THAT ARE CB-WIDE (SUCH AS A "QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE" AND A LAND-USE COMMITTEE")?
My goal as your chair is to assure that all issues are appropriately addressed by every concerned CB1 member. I do not, however, want to have more committees and more meetings just for the sake of holding meetings. If elected chair, I will listen carefully to the needs of board members to have their issues addressed and will work with CB1 members to create committees that most accurately reflect the needs of our board for the next year. If a significant number of members think that a quality of life committee is important, I will be happy to convene such a committee.
SHOULD WE REMOVE THE CLAUSE FROM OUR BY-LAWS THAT PERMITS THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (INSTEAD OF THE FULL BOARD AS THE CHARTER STATES) TO REMOVE A MEMBER FOR CAUSE?
Any and all by-laws changes should be subject to review by the full board. I understand that there are significant issues facing the board at this time and that many members are concerned about the current operating procedures. If I am elected your chair, I will bring this and other such issues before the full board for in-depth discussion and vote.
NOW THAT THE FULL BOARD VOTED TO APPROVE THE STREET FAIRS TO RAISE OUR BOARD'S BUDGET, SHOULD WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS ON WHETHER THE FUNDS RAISED SHOULD GO TO A COMMUNITY GROUP OR TO INCREASE STAFF SALARIES?
I am pleased that our protocol has been changed to allow full board review of street fairs. I believe that this process has created a greater degree of transparency with regard to board activities and income. Every quarter, the board treasurer gives a report on the financial dealings of the board, and I believe that is the appropriate time to discuss the board’s accounts and financial status. I encourage all concerned board members to raise these issues and, as your chair, will encourage thoughtful and detailed discussions about all such issues.