Burlington's Neighborhood Planning Assemblies members Matt Cropp, 4/7 NPA Steering Committee, Jess Wisloski, former NYC reporter, and Greg Guma, Author, The People's Republic: Vermont and the Sanders Revolution, provide background history to the development of these community meetings. Charlie Giannoni, Wards 3 NPA Steering Committee, moderates the discussion.
Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPAs) are grassroots, neighborhood organizations that were established in each of Burlington's eight Wards to encourage resident participation in City government. Working as neighborhood advocacy groups, Neighborhood Planning Assemblies help improve communication between the residents of Burlington and City government through regular meetings scheduled in each Ward. Read the original Resolution that created NPAs in Burlington here.
NPAs serve as organized, democratic forums where neighbors can learn about public issues that affect them and advise the City of their concerns and needs. NPAs elect steering committees to help advance the interests of neighbors in shaping the agenda and raising community issues.
New York City - The Community Boards Handbook
http://on.nyc.gov/20gDx0F
Burlington Resolution Creating NPAs
http://bit.ly/1Hhtwoh