Roxyanne Burrus

Just read a fascinating article about how we view our cities and ways to change the way we typically plan and implement that will effuctuate real growth and reinvestment in our enclaves. I will read more about this but want to know how how other planners feel about this drastic shift in how we have been taught to look at cities. Go to the following link and let me know what you think.

  www.strongtowns.org/journal/2012/2/6/from-the-mayors-office-part-1-html

I just returned from a wonderful 7 day western carribean cruise. While on the cruise, I made a presentation at a workshop on Social Media 101. The presentation was geared towards a predominantly "baby boomer" crowd and interestingly enough,  it was very well received from the participants.  Just for fun, I tested the participants on some of the more popular social network share buttons. They had fun doing it but all the while, it allowed me to assess the general level of knowledge and sophistication of the group with the subject topic. Many questions were asked during the presentation from those who had businesses to those who just want to know how to use the apps. However, in spite of the increasing numbers of baby boomers registering for a face book or twitter accounts in this country, I believe we still have a sifgnificant amount of naysayer "boomers".

The  points I stressed in the presentation included the following:

• What is Social Networking and Social Media ?

• Why are we doing this? How did we get here? 

• What purpose does it serve? How do we use this?
  

•  What are the impacts and where are we going with social media ?    

A successful public meeting was held recently on the westside of Columbus. As many of you know who live in this area, a casino is currently being constructed and will locate on the westside of town. It is locating in an area that was on the downward spiral in terms of neighborhood and community revitalization and stabilization. This area was at one time,  a vibrant community, but lost major employment centers and large retail shopping establishments during the previous 15 years. The casino is being touted as a major "boost" to the economy and is viewed by many as a catalyst for revitalization of businesses and residential development in the area. A national consultant from Bethesda, Maryland, RCLCO has been hired to assist the area with identifying economic development strategies that may help  revitalize this community. A major focus with this process is to engage the community to be a part of this process. So, my company, Cartier Burrus LLC,  was also hired to work with RCLCO on this project . My role is to work closely with the community to encourage active participation, involve all facets of the community and ensure that the process is inclusive. I am pleased to say that this community wants to be included and engaged in the planning process as the study unfolds. They are excited about the casino for the most part and even more excited about the "spin off" development that is likely to occur as a result of having the casino as their neighbor.

The first public meeting held last week attracted 150 people which speaks volumes to their level of interest and commitment to their community.  The meeting was interactive and involved and engaged the community. I have conducted a number of successful community and this meeting process that was held last week, was conducted in an effective way when seeking input from the community and was very successful. I left the meeting feeling very positive about the outcome and look forward to reaching out and encouraging even more community members to actively participate in this community driven process. I strongly encourage anyone who lives in this area to pay attention to what is going on and to try and participate with the process. I know you'll be pleased.

There are many ways to connect with the process. The easiest is to get involved with the community leadership already established. They are engaged and will willingly talk with you about this process. Stay tuned to the local Dispatch which is reporting regulary about the comings and goings of the entire development process involving the casino. There is also a  facebook page that is now active and established to provide ongoing information about the economic development process. You can find it on the Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation page. And last but not least you can contact me, Roxyanne Burrus, President, Cartier Burrus LLC. You can locate me on facebook, linked-in and twitter and I will respond to any questions and concerns you may have about the current activity in the area. My best advice is to stay tuned!!     

 Study: Casino to revitalize West Side | The Columbus Dispatch

      Firm will write plan for area near casino | The Columbus Dispatch

Why are we as Africans Americans are often, seemingly, defending our rights as citizens and our right to have a seat at the table!!! I am referring to our new Govenor's opinion about who he selects and appoints to his cabinet. Yes, he should have African Americans on cabinet and I am angry that I have to say that. All of us are aware that there are many well qualified African Americans who share his vision. Many supported his campaign by dropping literature, making phone calls, and working in the campaign offices to get him elected. We have a right to be at the table to help shape policy for the state. We live here, work here and play here alongside with non-African Americans so we should have a voice representing all Ohioans who live here. This has nothing at all to do with the "race card" it is about being inclusive and it is about being equitable and fair. Blacks would not have to continue to complain about situations like this if we as Americans believed in a colorless society. Consciously or uncontiously, some of us do and some of us don't. So, should we accept the statement from Govenor Kasich whos says to the residents of the state of Ohio that there are no Blacks that share his vision? Was he trying to appease us by declaring February as Black history month? I don't accept his justification and I hope that the NAACP does not, either. I also pray that the Black republicans challenge Kasich. They helped to elect him to office they at least deserve his respect?   

Many people have mixed emotions about Rev Al Sharpton. I grew up not really trusting a lot of what he represented as a young man. What I am discovering is that he has grown to be a wise and experienced man who is not afraid to share his experiences, trials and tribulations. He stands for what he believes in and he is not afraid to voice his concerns and opinions ..which speaks volumes about a man's character.   As I listened to him speak last evening at the Columbus Education Association's MLK Awards dinner, I found myself nodding in agreement throughout his entire speech. He reminded us how important it is for our children to get an educaton that our parents and grandparents fought so hard to make happen.  In other words, we need to respect and appreciate our history and accept the responsibility to make sure your child goes to school and learns while he/she is there.  And in this day and age, we must limit the influence on negative images and refocus them to want to learn while teaching them to embrace and respect the history of those who struggled before them to open doors and access to education equal to their peers.

Rev Al reminded us that as adults that we also need to be appreciative of our ancestors marched for us to gain freedoms we now take for granted. He reminded us not to dwell on past accomplishments but to focus on moving forward together so that we continue to open more doors for ourselves as well as our children.

His talk was refreshing and invigorating because he spoke the truth plain and simple.   Many people in the audience appreciated his talk as I over heard comments while we were leaving the facility to go home.

I will purposefully see him again when the opportunity presents itself and I am not sure I would have done that before listenening to him last evening.

Thank you Rev Al for providing a motivating speech and reminding me that we as parents and grandparents can not sit back and rest on our laurels. Our work is not done, we have children that need us.      

My consulting business is "picking up". I am currently partnering with another consultant on providing technical assistance training to executive boards of Community Action Agencies in the state of Indiana. We train boards on Board engagement;roles and responsibilities;governance;fiscal responsibilities. In addition, we have created an self-assessment tool and assisted a troubled board with updating their articles of incorporation and by-laws. My business partner and I were recently recognized by the state of Indiana for successfully assisting a troubled community action agency board that was identified by them as non- compliant with the state of Indiana's rules and regs. Because of the good and effective work we have done with the Board of Directors for the CAA's we have been asked to expand our services to work with additional CAA's that are at risk of being shut down by the state of Indiana for non-compliance issues. So, Cartier Burrus, LLC, and Results Unlimited, LLC, are on the move in the state of Indiana.

My first official run for office did not turn out as well as I had expected.  One thing I learned was to expect the unexpected. My race was unique because there were so many of us running for the same seat. That had not happened before—ever. I don’t think any of us knew exactly how to handle that situation. But we moved forward and I knew that my work was cut out because I was running against those with name recognition and an endorsed candidate.

I did my due diligence and stepped out there on faith. I needed to get my name out in the community to become recognizable so that I would get votes. I found out that that it takes quite a bit of money which, unfortunately, I did not have. My reason for even doing this was to make sure we get someone in office who will represent the community.  I am a community advocate, I know what I can do, I know my skill sets and I know what is near and dear to my heart and feel it vitally important that we have a representative in the state house who can speak on our behalf. So I am convinced that I would have made an effective Ohio Senator.

The experience was an eye opener for me. Politics is not all fun and games and we need to change the way we do business. It is imperitive that we return to the business of letting the people run the government. I still will say to anyone who asks that I am not a politician I am a community advocate and believe me, there is a difference. My purpose is genuine; I was not in this race for personal gain unlike so many others-- next time I need to do a better job of convincing the voters. 

I will continue to be involved in the community because it is important that my voice and the voice of others be heard. We need to change our system, our government structure so that it works for us and not against us. But that will take patience, perseverance and a lot commitment. We must first work to get the right people into office.

If at first you don’t succeed, try try, and try again.

I read an article today that infuriated me. The bottom line is ... I am ashamed of conservative America. Where have we as a country gone wrong? What happen to democratic way that says we as Americans support and respect the person we elected to the office of the President of USA.  That often means in a partisan community that we tolerate him for four years but notice, I did not say, disrespect or demean him while he is in the office of the presidency. I am an American and I was taught to respect the person , who ever he or she may be, who holds that esteemed position.

When I read the comments and particularly those coming from the elected officials who just happen to support the opposing political views, I was appauld. The elected officials are suppose to be rational and reasonable. When I read that the Minnesota Govenor says that the classroom is no place to show a video of the President... I asked myself, "what planet does he think he is on?" We live in America the land of the free..where US Presidents have been addressing school children for years. It use to be a big deal! 

So of course, I have to ask, why does it matter now, to the Minnesota Govenor. He publicly stated that the speech from President Obama would be disruptive and is uninvited? Did he say that about the former President's message to school children? How about the other former Presidents who spent time to speak to school children.. were they being disruptive, Govenor? And to add insult to injury ,according to the article I attached to this blog, a Colorado suburban mother says she feels "scared" to be in this country right now. What is she scared of and what is that all about?

This country is the same country it was before we elected President Obama..nothing has changed but the leader. So, why is she now afraid to live here? Let's get a grip folks!! 

I recently tweeted about respecting the President and I need to do that again. President Obama deserves everyone's respect. He holds the highest and most important, in my mind, office in this country. Now, I am not suggesting that we not question what he does or says...we all have a right to do in the proper forum. I am suggesting we fight for things that really matter. An innocent message to school children encouraging them to stay in school is a "no brainer' not worthy of a battle.

I suspect there is more to come....how unfortunate 

Many conservatives enraged over Obama school speech - CNN.com

Can we design a road that is much safer for pedestrians and cars? The answer to that is yes we can. Sweden has a model that I am sure they are willing to share. Will we design roads that are much safer for pedestrians and cars? The answer to that is I don't know? Why don't we require roads to be built that are safer for cars and pedestrians? Maybe you should answer this one.

 American Planning Association Group News | LinkedIn 

I want to put a plug in for the annual Ohio Planning Conference a branch of the American Planning Association coming up next month. If you get an opportunity please register and attend the conference. We learn from each other. 

APA-Ohio State Planning Conference

September 23 – 25, 2009

The Ohio Chapter of the American Planning Association (APA-OH) will hold its annual statewide planning conference September 23 – 25, 2009.  The conference will be hosted by the Akron section of APA-Ohio and will be held at the Sheraton Suites of Akron-Cuyahoga Falls, 1989 Front Street, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

The theme of this year’s conference is “to sustainability and beyond”, and 42 session topics will be presented that focus on concepts and development practices available to communities to help redevelop older sites “in transition”; integrate new developments into existing neighborhood patterns; promote community designs that build on local strengths; minimize impacts on the environment; and conserve natural, cultural and fiscal resources.  Sessions will highlight examples of previous experiences and projects from around the state and region that other communities can model and adapt to address their needs. 

Five mobile workshops are also planned to highlight the region’s assets, including a kayak tour of the Cuyahoga River gorge, bus and bike tours of the Cuyahoga Valley and a walking tour of Akron. 

In addition, the conference program includes the following speakers:

·         Renowned planner, landscape architect and educator, Randall Arendt will lead a Professional Development workshop focusing on the conservation of community-wide open space networks and transforming highway commercial strips into mixed-use districts on Wednesday, September 23^rd.   

·         Bruce Knight, FAICP, President of the American Planning Association will be present at the opening session on Wednesday, September 24^th to provide an update on planning issues at the national level.

·         Wayne Senville, editor of the Planning Commissioner’s Journal, will present a slideshow: Planning Conversations from Coast-to-Coast, in which he reflects on his travels and conversations about planning-related issues facing communities uncovered in the course of his summer 2007 coast-to-coast road trip down US Route 50 at the September 24^th evening reception.

·         James Howard Kunstler, vocal critic of urban sprawl and author of The Geography of Nowhere (1994) and The Long Emergency (2005), will provide the keynote lunch address on Friday, September 25^th. 

Up to 17 hours of Certification Maintenance credits are available to certified planners and 11.25 hours of CLE credits are available to attorneys.  Most conference sessions will satisfy continuing education credits requirement for architects, engineers and landscape architects. 

This conference will be of special interest to planners, architects, landscaping architects, economic development and resource management professionals, elected officials, community & business leaders and citizens interested in learning more about planning, zoning, and community development issues.   

For more information about the conference, details regarding session topics or to register for the event, please visit APA-OH’s website, www.ohioplanning.org or www.regonline.com/2009APAOhioConference.