1967 Jan to Dec - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Mayor Herkner stated his letter had been proposed for purpose of advising community of Council's attitude towards the "poverty" report and in view of those present evidently interested in this subject, he would think it well for Council to listen to what might be done, if necessary, but recommended that the matter not be debated. Mr. George Riley reported he had received numerous calls from citizens of various cities included in the "poverty report" asking �- to be allowed to secede and that he had given instructions on how this could be accomplished. He also advised on the statistics that had been used from various departments, i.e., Juvenile Delinquency, Welfare, etc.. He advised those interested in being excluded from target areas to file a petition with the Human Resources Commission before its meeting on Thursday night of this week. Mr. Riley also advised of the information which had been taken primarily from the 1960 tract census report which he realized con- tained factors which would not be the same in 1967, but all that had been available to justify Federal funds being applied for, to help people affected work out of their poverty status. He reviewed how statistics needed to be identified as representing aminority and program concentrated to this minority, Councilman Granger questioned if any research had been made since 1960, and if their own observations indicated a change in the reported statistics. Mr. Riley again advised of the statistics which had been available for this report, issued a year ago, and any changing conditions between 1965 and 1966 could indicate a change of boundaries might be well considered. He advised however, no Federal census figures available since 1960, on which the report is also based. Mayor Herkner noted ability of people of Redwood City to petition to secede from designated "poverty" area as stated, but questioned how this would effect use of money or program in general. Councilman Petersen expressed his opposition to method used for presenting areas marked for "poverty" and the serious situation involved _ if same circumstances prevailed throughout the country. Councilman Keckley questioned inclusion of industrial and large uninhabited areas as "poverty" areas and whether the Human Resources Commission felt no responsibility to local political subdivisions for consultation prior to publication of reports such as the one being discussed. He felt if such report had been submitted to the Council this situation might have been prevented. Mayor Herkner stated he had found a copy of the "poverty program report" in the Chamber of Commerce and had asked that the City Attorney make an analysis. Councilman Bury questioned what procedures could be taken next to define area according to 1967 standards and get results for the program in areas where needed. Councilman Rosselli asked that he be permitted to take questions presented back to the Human Resources Commission and ask for solutions, even to a new study being made. Councilman Rosselli further outlined the problems which had involved the Commission in attempting to get the program started and expressed belief that most would be clarified. Councilman Granger asked whether Mayor's statement, if approved by Council, could also be presented to the Human Resources Commission at their next meeting and also expressed concern for inclusion of Redwood City's downtown section being included in the "poverty area" and if this could be changed.