Occupation: Retired Address: 1815 13th Ave. S. (55404) Neighborhood of Residence: Ventura Village Years in Neighborhood: 31 years Years in Minneapolis: 36 years Phone: 612-871-7973 E-Mail:mbmwatson@aol.com
How have your life experiences prepared you to be a neighborhood representative?
I have a background in accounting and management with over 25 years experience in management of Accounting and Legal Firms. Before retiring six years ago, I was the Chief Administrative Officer of a large law firm with over 200 attorneys with offices in six cities. When the Phillips Neighborhood was divided into four regions, I took primary responsibility for the administrative aspects of implementing NRP in Ventura Village. I have acted as Administrative Secretary for Venture Village since the beginning (4 years).
What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of the NRP?
NRP Strengths:
NRP encourages grass routes involvement in planning and implementing community development.
NRP empowers individuals to work together to build a sense of community.
NRP allows neighborhoods to attract development by providing funds for planning and for leveraging with other private and public dollars.
NRP provides needed administrative dollars to keep neighborhood organizations viable.
NRP provides needed dollars for investment in the residential and commercial property.
NRP Weaknesses:
NRP is vulnerable to the politicians who wish to take funding for other projects.
How have you participated in your neighborhood organization and its NRP process?
When Ventura Village became an independent Region of the Phillips neighborhood, I became well versed in the NRP process by asking questions, attending training seminars and watching all the training tapes available from NRP. Since that time I have continued to be informed by attending pertinent training sessions when possible. As the administrative secretary I process all the NRP paperwork for Ventura Village.
How do you plan to maintain a relationship with the neighborhoods you would represent if elected?
If elected I will make every effort to notify the neighborhoods I represent of issues relating to them. I will use e-mail, faxing or regular mail as necessary.
Name one thing you would like to work on if elected.
If elected I wish to work on the process and guidelines for Phase II of NRP.
Why are you running for a neighborhood representative seat on the Policy Board?
I am running for a neighborhood representative seat on the Policy Board because we need strong representatives with experience in NRP and Planning to implement Phase II and I believe I have those skills.
Please list any community-based organizations with which you are currently involved.
Ventura Village Administrative Secretary & Housing Committee Chair
