Photo credit : Stephanie Swan
Introduction
Economic Disparities Subcommittee Chair – Pastor Kennedy Jones
I have considered it a privilege and an honor to have been the chairperson for the Economic Disparity subcommittee . We had some very hardworking individuals with varying opinions because of their different backgrounds or political persuasions . However , these differences , I believe , allowed us to look at the accumulated data , the economic information and listen to the results of the town hall discussions with greater clarity than we otherwise would have . Even the speakers that Dr . Shelton brought in to discuss these same issues and how they were addressed in other cities were vetted through our committee ’ s varying perspectives . This helped all of us get to a place of making bold but pragmatic recommendations that are achievable and will be impactful if implemented by the City Council in a thoughtful thorough manner .
Our overall goal was to effect change not just in the City government of Arlington but to effect change in the whole of the business community of the city . We saw an opportunity with the changing attitudes of our City Council towards a more fair , just and equitable society and decided to reach for recommendations that were worthy of meeting this unique moment in our city ’ s history . In order to maximize this opportunity ’ s potential , we decided on recommendations that could leverage the City ’ s business relationships with the minority community into an “ economic moral climate ” to encourage the City ’ s greater business community to follow suit .
Our recommendations can be summed up as follows . We recommended the City use its economic clout in banking to effect change in how banks dealt with the businesses in the minority community . Next , we recommended the creation of a MWBE Office of Business Diversity staffed by three to five people to set policy guidelines , maintain oversight , and seek to ensure equity in city contracting . Then we recommended establishing a job resource center in the East Arlington Library staffed with a knowledgeable individual of job fairs and employment opportunities within the City and beyond . Lastly we recommend a reduction in fees associated with the City ’ s Via public transportation program for those of lower economic standing .
Our goal in the Economic Disparity Subcommittee was not to attempt to fix everything . It was to offer substantive solutions that could effect real change and improved economic opportunities for many of the citizens of Arlington that have been left out for to long . It was a heavy lift but it was also long overdue . We were honored to have had the opportunity to apply our effort to achieve the good that we seek . Unity Council Report
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