silverhawks
10-12-2008, 06:15 PM
I live in a relatively small town, which has been spared the brunt of reckless federal spending and the economic crisis; we've progressively seen businesses close and jobs lost though, so its only a matter of time until it hits.
Over the weekend, based on what I'm seeing in economic data (credit markets are getting worse, not better) I contacted my city council to see if they had contingency plans laid out. They got back in touch with me to tell me that they have disaster planning, but nothing specifically to do with community organisation.
I'm currently writing a white paper for them on "hometown security", a fiscally conservative approach to environmentalism and self-sufficiency for our town; basically promoting initiatives such as community gardening, farmers markets, green job creation and alternative power on a local level, etc. The end result is turning deficits into profits, and getting citizens involved, and benefiting from the entire process.
This is to suggest to the council that it might be a good idea to buffer ourselves from the effects of bad legislation and reckless spending at the state or federal levels. I figure I'll start with the people who really matter, and who are getting hardest hit, and work my way up :)
I was wondering if anyone here had any experience of similar initiatives in their home town? If so, I'd appreciate any insight or advice you'd have to offer.
Or in fact, any opinions on this approach in general.
Over the weekend, based on what I'm seeing in economic data (credit markets are getting worse, not better) I contacted my city council to see if they had contingency plans laid out. They got back in touch with me to tell me that they have disaster planning, but nothing specifically to do with community organisation.
I'm currently writing a white paper for them on "hometown security", a fiscally conservative approach to environmentalism and self-sufficiency for our town; basically promoting initiatives such as community gardening, farmers markets, green job creation and alternative power on a local level, etc. The end result is turning deficits into profits, and getting citizens involved, and benefiting from the entire process.
This is to suggest to the council that it might be a good idea to buffer ourselves from the effects of bad legislation and reckless spending at the state or federal levels. I figure I'll start with the people who really matter, and who are getting hardest hit, and work my way up :)
I was wondering if anyone here had any experience of similar initiatives in their home town? If so, I'd appreciate any insight or advice you'd have to offer.
Or in fact, any opinions on this approach in general.