To print this article open the file menu and choose Print. Click here to return to previous page Article published Dec 1, 2005 Dec 1, 2005 Ideas for a better city 150 discuss possibilities By Richard Nangle TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF rnangle@telegram.com WORCESTER— Charged with identifying the good and the bad of the city, a group of residents last night discussed a range of issues. They talked about racial diversity and a city government that does not reflect it. They discussed safer streets and school administrators quick to suspend students for minor infractions. They spoke about an affordable place to live and a newspaper that they say highlights bad news over good. The newly formed Common Pathways leadership council, an amalgamation of community leaders from the public and private sectors, will consider those opinions and more in its effort to develop recommendations to improve the quality of life here. About 150 people last night crammed into a gymnasium at the YWCA at Salem Square, turning it into an incubator for new and progressive ideas consistent with a Common Pathways mission that has been replicated in places such as Providence, Boston, Baltimore and Denver. The Worcester organization has identified eight themes as targets for improvement — community involvement, culture, economics, education, environment, health, recreation and safety. Last night’s meeting was open to the public, and the discussion was broken up into groups of about eight to 10 people. “Worcester is an affordable place for my family to live. That’s why we moved here,” said School Committee member Kathleen M. Toomey, who was elected last month to an at-large seat on the City Council. “People have a voice here. If you use your voice, you have an opportunity to be heard.” Margot Barnet, a secretary with the Regional Environmental Council, said one of the city’s pluses is its lack of pretense. “There’s no place you can go that they’re going to throw you out if you don’t have a jacket and tie,” she said. Richard Chester, a member of the city’s Human Rights Commission, said he left the city for three years and was pleasantly surprised to find it safer upon his return. But he was critical of the makeup of the City Council and city government as a whole, saying there were not enough racial minorities in either category. Walking police beats have made a noticeable difference in that regard, said Kelly Nishan, who manages a program for adults at Alternatives Unlimited. Raydi Soto, a North High School sophomore, said the schools fall short because many students are not challenged by the work. She also criticized the city for not funding a music program at her school. “There’s so much talent out there,” she said. Ms. Toomey said not enough families are involved in their children’s education and that the result is students who are disengaged and placed in the wrong classes. She said the local legislative delegation has to bring back more money to the schools, arguing that Massachusetts lawmakers should be embarrassed by the state’s rank of 46th in the country in public school funding. Joanne O’Brien, a volunteer at Artichoke Food Coop in Main South, said the city’s leaders should make increased state funding of the city budget a priority and called for parents to be involved in the effort. Mr. Chester said teachers should provide their e-mail addresses to students and parents, a move he said would lead to a better dialogue. Ms. Toomey said some teachers believe that is a change in their working conditions that should be negotiated first. Carlos Anderson, a photographer who works at the Worcester Youth Guidance Center, said he hears many complaints from students that administrators are too willing to suspend them for minor offenses. “The teachers have to learn not to be afraid of the students they’re working with,” he said. Mr. Anderson also criticized the city for not doing enough to fund a full summer jobs program last year. He said the program should have had a high enough priority to be funded regardless of available grant money or outside funding. Several people suggested that the Telegram & Gazette could win converts by de-emphasizing crime stories and paying more attention to other news, including events throughout the city that receive little or no coverage. Contact Richard Nangle by email at rnangle@telegram.com. Order the Telegram & Gazette, delivered daily to your home or office! www.telegram.com/homedelivery Copyright Worcester Telegram & Gazette Corp.