Along with Johnson’s involvement as the city council
representative on the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee, three members
with direct contact with Johnson made a decision that resulted in an organization
started by Johnson receiving the maximum amount allowed.
A.J. Williams, a candidate in Durham’s Ward 3 city council
seat, serves as the Director of Incubation and Ideation Labs for Southern
Vision Alliance. Johnson is the Co-Chair of the Southern Vision Alliance
Board of Directors and is the former Director of Operations and Chief Financial
Officer for the nonprofit organization.
Marion T. Johnson, who is running to unseat Durham City Council Ward 1 representative DeDreanna Freeman, was selected to
serve as the Chair of the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee. Marion T.
Johnson participated as a member of Jillian Johnson campaign team.
Susan E. Goodman is a member of the steering committee. She's the mother of Paul Bendich, Johnson's partner. Bendich and Johnson are the parents of two children. Records indicate
Goodman resides at the same address on record for Johnson and Bendich.
The Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee awarded
Southern Vision Alliance $50,000; the maximum allowed during the Phase 2, 2021
budget cycle.
Participatory budgeting is one of Jillian Johnson’s pet
projects. In 2018, the city staff recommended $750,000 to initially fund participatory
budgeting. Johnson suggested $2.5 million. The city council approved $2.4
million because it would be easier to divide among Durham’s three wards.
Mayor Steve Schewel and City Council member Mark-Anothy
Middleton voted against the proposed figure. Middleton supported the staff
recommendation of $750,000, claiming $2.4 million is too much for a start-up
program given residents are having a hard time keeping their homes and finding
jobs.
Freeman voted in support but questioned the transparency of
the process.
“It feels a lot like our legislature right now and I’m
concerned about that,” Freeman said.
Javier Caballero pushed for Johnson’s $2.5 million proposal,
arguing voters should have the right to determine how taxes are spent.
“For me, part of this is allowing people who don’t normally
get to participate to participate in something very important,” Caballero said.
Durham voters may wonder about a process promoted by a
member of the city council that manipulates who participates to advance funding
for an organization that council member founded and continues to serve as the
board chair.
Phase 2 Participatory Grant Winners were divided into three
categories.
Children, Youth and Family Wellness
Families Moving Forward $50,000
Book Harvest $40,000
H.E.A.R.T.S. $50,000
Diaper Bank of North Carolina $50,000
World Relief Durham $45,500
Association for the Prevention $47,944
of the Eno
River Valley
ISLA $30,000
Purpose Learning Lab $15,000
Bull City Little League $50,000
Community Building & Economic Opportunity
TROSA $40,000
Durham Literacy Council $50,000
StepUp Durham $50,000
SEED $50,000
Equity Before Birth $50,000
Durham Children’s Initiative $50,000
Durham Teen Court & Restitution $25,000
Southern Vision Alliance $50,000
Be Connected Durham $50,000
Health & Human Services
El Future $47,115
Life Skills Foundation $50,000
Center for Children $49,415
&
Family Health
CAARE $50,000
*DeDreanna Freeman is an employee of the Durham Children's Initiatve. She did not serve as a member of the Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee
No comments:
Post a Comment