[Summit] N. Main

[john lane]

I see a recent posting on this project.  I think this is the project I
discussed with some members.  What was remarkable was that there were 2
other consultant contracts with this project:  a contract for about $10,000
which was canceled about 1 year ago and then another consultant was hired
for about $5,000.  The N. Main web site does not include much information
about either elements of this N. Main Street effort.

I have monitored this web site for some time.  I have relatives who live in
Providence and they indicated that this neighborhood organization is a very
good one.  (I visit on occasion and am in town for the day.) Earlier this
year, I inquired about these projects, since I am involved with a similar
effort as well as a study about neighborhood groups (not in Rhode Island).
Thanks to information I received from John Bacik (sp?) I learned that the
SNA has not done too many projects.  It seems that the consultant effort
($10,000) did not work out.  Then the consultant effort ($5,000) took
place.  The remarkable thing was that it appeared that funding continued to
flow.  I learned that some funding came from the state and some from the
city.  What was remarkable was that there seems to be little connection
between funding and outcomes.  This is very different from other places.
Even though RI and the City seem to be in a budget crises, this neighborhood
organization continues to get funding.  You folks must have a lot of good
will built up to get this kind of commitment.

It would be helpful if the President of the organization - is that Mr. Kelly
- could explain this.  Thanks.
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