Mr. E

Ward 1 Waterfront Arcade

The addition of a waterfront activity such as a Boardwalk Arcade would greatly benefit Ralston’s first electoral Ward. Not only will this liven up the area given its low Ward Vitality score by providing the citizens with a bright and exciting waterside area, but it will help to link the wealthy and low-income areas of the Ward. An arcade – and potentially even expansion to include ice cream shops or food stalls – along the waterfront on the south end of Ward 1 would provide entertainment and energy to the normally uptight area, and would give the Canal Gardens affordable housing development a link that ties them to the wealthier section of the Ward, increasing the vitality score while also increasing the connection between neighbors. In an area where the economic divide is so vast and neighbors feel disconnected, it is important to provide a space where the inhabitants of this area – especially the younger generation which Ralston relies on – can come together and simply enjoy themselves. This arcade will also act as a contact zone of sorts in which the wealthy and lower income residents of Ward 1 will be able to interact on equal footing.Ward, increasing the vitality score while also increasing the connection between neighbors. In an area where the economic divide is so vast and neighbors feel disconnected, it is important to provide a space where the inhabitants of this area – especially the younger generation which Ralston relies on – can come together and simply enjoy themselves. This arcade will also act as a contact zone of sorts in which the wealthy and lower income residents of Ward 1 will be able to interact on equal footing.

Ward 1 Taxation

In general, my suggestion is regarding the financial disparity between the poorest and wealthiest members in Ward 1. Taxing the richest members in that ward (or otherwise finding a semi-stable source of income) and diverting the funding towards the local public schools could be a start. In general, I feel that some of the best thing you could do is offer resources to families with children; since for poorer families, raising children can be a rather arduous task, financially and emotionally, and may result in the child being deprived of certain resources such as reliable education (not due to neglect, but because their families are incredibly busy, or can’t afford it).

Proportional Term Limits

My contribution to Ralston would be to have the elected officials have the maximum length of their terms dependent on the percentage that they were elected by. So for example, if the mayor was elected with a percentage of 80% of the votes. This would translate to an unlimited number of terms. Although, this can be overridden depending on their votes for the next term. As another example, if the current mayor who is currently on an unlimited term setup, only beats the other candidate by a couple percent (within 1-5%) Then his maximum terms are permanently shortened UNLESS the candidate that came close to getting more votes than current doesn’t run again. This would make sure that there is a fair rotation of electoral candidates and also promote good behavior and follow through with good promises to keep their votes significantly above opponents if they want to keep power.

The people of Ralston will have power.

Ward 2 Canal District Restaurant

I would start a restaurant in the canal enterprise district, Ward 2, based on a familiar business model I have been following in Essex Junction, Vermont. The business is called Mark BBQ, and the community comes together over food and helping one another. The idea is to serve great food to the public while coming up with ways to donate money to causes, gain community attention for other businesses, and set up days where the food is all about being where it’s needed. Members who need a meal or are struggling can come into the restaurant or call and have a premade meal given to them no questions asked. To get to this point in functioning, I would need to have support from the community. The neighbors who came in when they were struggling, will remember the restaurant, telling others to spread the word, or come back to support when they are able. Including everyone and giving back, when possible, will be a great accomplishment. Another way to help reach people all over the island, especially Ward 1, would be offering delivery. This could be an option depending on how things are planned but having a building as near to the district in need as well as one with the most attraction and business potential would be a good compromise. This business would be a contact zone because there is a social space where customers would come together. There would be clear differences in the members gathering and coexisting in the restaurant.

Ward 2 Zoo

I believe that a Zoo would help bring more life, and more revenue, to Ralston’s second ward. As the primary commercial ward, the zoo could help bring in people to the many businesses in Ralston, so that they may be more inclined to shop around. And as with many zoos people may wish to visit multiple times, bringing in more people to Ralston. Additionally, zoos provide a great source of education and entertainment for people of all ages. The zoo could also help Ralston’s second ward to have a better built environment. With the open land and all that comes with a zoo, the second ward would see more natural life in it.

Ward 2 Haunted House

I propose that ward two should have a haunted house in their neighborhood. This proposal is to get the peoples attention to their part of Ralston with a eye catching building. Plus, who does not love a haunted house? Haunted houses bring in lots and lots of people each and every time to the attraction. It’s a memory that people hold on to for years. This addition will bring in new ideas on how to make the hunted house even better and bring in many helpers. The haunted house proposal is perfect for people to come together to create something fun and memorable.

Ward 2 Campsite

This contribution is very different then my first but looking at the Map of Ralston it made m think putting a campsite in the west woods of Ward 2 would be really cool. Like one of those artificial campsites where everyone just stays for a month or two in an RV. I think it’s a nice getaway for Ralston residents or people from outside of Ralston could vacation too.

Nonprofit Reproductive Healthcare Clinic

I am proposing that a nonprofit reproductive healthcare clinic be added to Ralston. It’s extremely important that all individuals receive necessary reproductive healthcare, especially women. Services provided by this clinic would include free condoms, information and services relating to other forms of birth control, and information and services regarding fetal termination. I propose that this clinic be placed in Ward 1, as this is where the majority of Ralston’s economic disparity occurs. It would be most desirable for the clinic to be placed near the Canal Gardens affordable housing development, because it is home to city residents who earn less, on average, than residents in any other part of the city. These residents most likely have less access to traditional healthcare services, which is why it’s important to place the clinic nearby. Additionally, there would need to be some formal mechanisms put into place for anyone who might disagree with the clinic’s services.

Nature Center

My proposal before was a community nature center that could be put in one of the many parks that Ralston, VT has. This new building would fit perfectly under the Public Amenities Ward because it would be a nice place where people can convene and look at all the different living animals and plants that live around the city. A phenomenal reason as to why the city of Ralston needs a nature center is because it could bring in tourists to the town. This would help local businesses and it could boost the joy that is already spreading around Ralston. This would also fit perfectly with the Heart and Soul of Ralston because it can reconnect everyone back with the animals and nature around the city/town.

Gazebo in Parks

I believe that a nice gazebo structure akin to this could be built in the parks spread throughout town (and if the different wards of the town don’t all have parks, they likely should). This could add a lot to the town’s built environment, allowing the local community to further prosper through friendly outdoor socialization with one another in the summer season in particular. If it’s used enough by a wide portion of the community, it could even become a heart and soul aspect of it, similar to some other establishments that communities like mine have.