Election Meeting Brings Out CB9 Flair

Columbia Spectator
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Election Meeting Brings Out CB9 Flair
Characters (and Opponents) Debate the Issues at the Candidate�s Meeting
By Anna Phillips
Columbia Daily Spectator

December 06, 2005

At one point during CB9�s candidate�s forum, CB9 Chair hopeful George Goodwill began moving around the room singing Hallelujah softly under his breath.

It was one of the many moments when the characters became the story, or at least the topic of conversation.

But for this meeting, that was allowed. Unlike regular meetings, the December 5 candidates� night offered a behind-the-scenes look at the board and the campaign for positions on the Executive Committee. Although voting will not take place until Dec. 15, candidates were given the evening to state their positions and answer questions posed by audience members.

But there were few questioners to be found�of 60 available seats roughly 15 were eventually occupied, mostly by the candidates themselves.

Current CB9 chair Jordi Reyes-Montblanc was challenged by Goodwill, who served as CB9 chair from 2000 to 2004. Standing before his colleagues in a red turtleneck, he vacillated between discussion on improving the board and upcoming holiday festivities, delivering an impassioned speech that detailed his various concerns with the present governance.

�I just am not happy with the direction of this board,� Goodwill said, his open palm repeatedly pushing against the air.

Goodwill�s complaints ranged from the board�s handling of Columbia�s proposed expansion to the respect CB9 members fail to show each other, to accusations of false transparency.

Reyes-Montblanc�s response came State of the Union style, with references to what had been accomplished under his tenure, what lies ahead for the board under his rule, and a general call for increased respect for members within the organization.

�We have been able to outfox the foxes for two years now,� Reyes-Montblanc said, refusing to reveal the fox�s identity.

�Who are these people? Do the foxes have names?� Goodwill retorted.

Candidates for assistant treasurer, treasurer, assistant secretary, secretary, second vice chair, and first vice chair spoke. After several withdrew their candidacy, only the position of chair was contested.

Secretary Ted Kovaleff gave a speech highlighting the importance of local government that quoted Thomas Jefferson. �I am firmly convinced that the CB9 system is something that is so important�government that governs closest to the people governs best,� Kovaleff said.

Pat Jones, the current second vice chair, voiced some of the issues facing Manhattanville and Morningside Heights: Columbia�s proposed expansion, failing public schools, and affordable housing shortages.

Carolyn Thompson, first vice chair, echoed Jones� thoughts on education.

�We�re losing the children; it�s out of control. [CB9] cannot mother the children, but we can be the community�s backbone,� Thompson said.

Although she withdrew from the election, Georgiette Morgan-Thomas wrapped up the evening with a speech about the personality of CB9 as an institution.

Community Board 9 �is a place of inclusiveness, and it�s become a place of exclusiveness. Just like in a family, we don�t all get along, but we need to have dignity in this board,� Morgan-Thomas said.

Goodwill, having returned to his seat, agreed.