Dear City Council:

       The Parents of Belle Haven have not been given a voice. Mike
Taylor and Barbara George of Community Services held a "meeting" on
Tuesday, February 13. This meeting was very unsatisfactory and somewhat
of a farce. There was no parent input permitted regarding the move of
Vanessa Carlisle. Mr. Taylor and Ms. George not only would not
entertain any alternative ideas or options but refused to hear any of
the parents on this issue. It was a very one-sided meeting where
parents were dictated to - not incorporated into.

       1. The City played Hide the Ball on the Meeting Time and Place:
The meeting notice was posted at closing the night before, none of the
parents knew about the meeting and there was no meeting location listed
on the flyer. Most of us found out by calling each other on the day of
the meeting. The flyer was posted on the door of the Belle Haven
after-school program. However, the door is kept open during the day, so
when the door is open no one can see the flyer because it faces the
wall. Also, the meeting was at the Senior Center but that was not
mentioned anywhere on the flyer and parents had to walk around and guess
where the meeting was. We have never had a meeting at the Senior Center
so no one ever suspected it would be there, especially since we have a
perfectly good meeting space in the Belle Haven After-School Program
building. Many parents left because they could not find it and it was
assumed the meeting was cancelled like the two other scheduled meetings
before. Parents had zero input as to the timing and agenda. There
was no outreach to parents and the meeting organizers appeared to go out
of their way to underplay this meeting.

       2. No Parent Input Welcomed: Us parents believe the purpose
of the meeting is to appease the council so that the City can claim it
has met with the parents. However, it was not in good will or the spirit
by which all parties understood. Belle Haven parents thought it would be
real dialogue to search for do-able options to moving Vanessa. Instead
they confused what few parents were there by not using direct language.
By referring to Vanessa as the Program Assistant the new kindergarten
parents did not know who the conversation was about. The few that did
understand what was being said, were not allowed to speak or give input.
Parent questions went unanswered and any posposals were ignored.

Because of lack of notice I was not aware of the meeting in time to get
off work early enough to attend the beginning. But I was thoroughly
briefed. When I arrived, late, because I just got off work Mike Taylor
ended the meeting when I said we should examine the budget, staffing
positions and organizational chart so we can really see what can be done
within the department to save Vanessa's position. Mike said the decision
has been made and he is moving Vanessa. There was no input from parents.
Not only do we feel that the process has been completely undemocratic,
but that Taylor has been dishonest in engaging in dialogue. It is so
unprofessional and a slap in the face to the working mothers of Belle
Haven.

       Now we thing the meeting will be used against us as their proof
they met with parents. 100% on their terms. I thought democracy is that
we come to the table even partners. 50 - 50%. We were so insulted. Four
other parents and Matt Henry, who knew the issue well, walked out in
disgust because of the way they were treated and ignored. So basically
Mike met with about 3 brand new kinder parents who are so new to the
program they do not know about last year's budget issues or the nuts and
bolts of what is going on. How fair is that? He met with our "weakest
links" so to speak and none of the parent leadership that was organized
around this issue.

       The Parents of the Belle Haven After-School Program are very
disappointed with the actions of the City and the whole process. The
parents were told by Mike Taylor and Barbara George on Tuesday, February
13 that Vanessa Carlisle would be moved to MCC. The decision was final
and no parent input was neccessary. We want the following questions
answered:

       1. Why does the City give us new rec leaders if our ratios are
too high as they claim? Why can't we keep Vanessa, the only college
educated and mature starff member, and transfer the unexperienced
teenage rec leaders to MCC?

       2. Why won't City staff allow the parents to see the budget,
organization staffing chart and job descriptions as I have requested on
numerous occassions?

       3. Why does MCC have a schedule, curriculum and weekly parent
updates on their children and we do not have any structured or organized
program implemented nor do we have any idea what our kids do during the
week or what they are learning? Our kids will simply be "warehoused"
without Vanessa's care of them. How will the City meet the needs of the
Belle Haven children?

       4. What is the City planning to do with running the Belle Haven
After-school program in the Fall - if Vanessa is gone and the Program
Co-ordinator out on maternity leave? Will we have a Fall 2007 program
to return to, if yes, who will run it?

       5. Why can't the City merely ask the Council for the additional
$18,333 it would take to keep Vanessa. That is the amount of savings to
the City from March 1 - June 30 in Vanessa's pay. That is the money the
City is depending on to create/expand 4 other staffing positions. With
the new $3.7 windfall could the City staff actually advocate for the
community they "care" for and attempt to ask the city for the funding?
This way the children could keep Vanessa and the City staff could
implement all their grand plans with the extra $18,333. Why has the
City Staff not worked with the community and tried to keep in tact a
program that works for the Belle Haven children? Are we the enemy?????

       We were also told that if we do not like the decision that City
Council could decide. After speaking with Heywood Robinson, he feels
this is not a council issue and should be handled by staff. The answers
that we are given cause us to do nothing but chase our tails. Which is
it City Council or staff has the final word? We never have received a
staight answer to this question. Since Mike Taylor said we could take
it up with City Council, we would like to exercise the option offered by
Mr. Taylor. Please place this item on the City Council agenda for a
vote.

      Whether you like me or not is not relevant to me, but keep in
mind: I know this community and our needs. Vanessa is a second mother
to many children who come from dysfunctional families. Without the
heart and soul that is Vanessa the After-School Program will cease to
exist. Families will leave and the program will shut down within 1 - 2
years. You may not believe me, but I actually will hate to be the one
"who-told-you-so" because I love the Belle Haven community more than any
city worker or council person.

Thank you.
Marcia Dore-Perez
Received on Tue Feb 20 12:59:17 2007