DAVID TABER
After a long conversation last month about abandoning its Youth Affairs Committee, the JPNC voted on June 24 to approve that proposal, noting that it did not abolish the committee.
A number of council members, including Steve Backman, voiced strong concerns last month about abolishing the committee.
Backman was not present at the JPNC’s June meeting, but an e-mail he sent out expressing support for the proposal made suggestions the council followed.
Sol Tangvik, a high-school aged member of the council who is also active in the JP coalition of youth groups JP Unidos, will act as a liaison from the JPNC to that group.
Also, in the fall the JPNC will consider becoming more active in issues regarding local public schools.
JPNC member Mark Pedulla, who, along with Tangvik, sits on the Youth Committee, said that Backman’s e-mail served to clarify the committee’s proposal.
“The proposal does not abolish the committee,” he said.
The Youth Affairs Committee will apparently still exist, at least on paper. It will remain a standing committee in the JPNC’s by-laws, but it will not meet regularly for new business. Tangvik will give a regular report on what is going on at JP Unidos, and the JPNC will be briefed on other Youth Affairs issues as needed.
Council Vacancy
Kalila Barnett, who represented Area C (Pondside/Jamaica Hills/Forest Hills) on the JPNC, recently moved out of JP and had to resign her seat. It was announced that anyone interested in filling the vacancy should present themselves at the council’s July 29 meeting. [See JP Agenda].