Dear Editor,

Community change comes from grassroots organizing and committed participation. For that, I commend those who’ve stepped forward as candidates at the BOT Candidates Forum. I was a bit surprised by the responses to the questions from some of the candidates. It was sadly obvious from their ignorance, that they hadn’t done homework in regard to the history, background, or status of some of their stated personal goals and question responses.  

If you want to know history-background-status and/or have any questions, I’d direct you to the following town boards: DDA (Downtown Development Association) which represents and is made up of local business owners. They have quite a few short- and long-term projects that they are working on. PROSAB (Parks, Recreation, Open Space) has set goals for the next 3 years. SAB (Sustainability Advisory Board), all things that impact the local environment, ecology and sustainability projects. Not a town board, the Human Services & Housing Alliance was started under the aegis of a local non-Profit. Other than the Food Pantry and Clothing Closet, BOCO agencies with a staffed office in Nederland are EFAA (Emergency Family Assistance Association), and AAA (Area Agency on Aging). 

The Alliance hosts a Human Resources Fair the 3rd Thursday of every month. Contact the agencies directly with questions. Housing is an unaffiliated sub-committee of the Alliance. If you have any questions about the status of ‘affordable’ housing projects in Nederland, the sub-committee Chair is the local EFAA counselor. 

If you have questions about the history of the Nederland Housing movement and/or subsidized Senior Housing, contact Atashnaa Medicineshield Werner. 

Addressing something one of the candidates said regarding Tungsten Village housing project; the fire and police departments concerns were resolved to their satisfaction.

Atashnaa Medicineshield Werner,

Nederland Senior Housing Activist