Roy Names More People to Transition Team, Creates Subcommittees
Yesterday, Mayor-elect Jacques Roy added several more members to his transition team and organized subcommittees to evaluate and analyze specifically assigned tasks. Among those named include Barbara Brister, Jeff Hall, Von Jennings, Horatio Isadore, Carol White, and Cindy Cespiva. Two key advisers were also chosen, urban planner Pat Moore, who will report on Vision, and Bill Hess, who will report on Economic Development .
In addition, Mr. Roy also organized subcommittees; these committees include but are not limited to Community Development, Housing, Education, Recreation, Children, Community Health, and Workforce Development.
CenLamar 
Nice to see Ray Isadore in that list
Dang-After naming all these people to differant positions hardly leaves anyone left to run the place.
Roy’s efforts to be inclusive and forgiving will pay big dividends for our city in the future. I’m glad I voted right for a change.
I fear Pat Moore and Tommy David’s involvement, as they seem to figure a way to profit on many of their “ideas”. I am also leary of David’s appointment, given the pending ethical charges against him.
I think Jacques is off to a great start. If the entire commumity comes behind him can you imagine the difference we can make? I have been here for three years and it seems that the community genuinely cares what goes on.
I agree that Roy is off to a good start. I disagree with Aymond about Pat Moore and Tommy David. They deserve to be a part of this because of their expertise. Roy is astute enough to keep them focused and to prevent any grandstanding or money grubbing.
Think about the time it has taken to put this together. His energy is infectious.
I am amazed at the amount of work which has taken place just during this transition.
I’m am still amazed by the committe which has workforce as one of its components. There isn’t a single person on there who can actually address this issue other than issues related to the medical industry. Why not ask the new Regional LTC Director to serve???? For one thing he isn’t from here and might actually have some new and fresh ideas!
I believe the workforce committee will be chaired by Von Jennings, who currently serves as the grant writer and federal programs coordinator for LA Technical College, Region 6. She holds a Bachelors from Grambling in Political Science and Public Administration. Von also has a Masters in Public Administration from Southern. She has ten years of experience in workforce development.
I believe Lee Gwinn was Asst.HR director of workforce training when he lived in Austin.
I certainly stand corrected. It appears on paper Von is more than qualified to serve. Now, whether or not that translates to practical experience is another thing. Has anyone checked to see how many grants the LTC actually received during her tenure as Dr. Garrett’s right hand? The real question is why were other regions of the state applying for grants and we weren’t.
Why didn’t any working people(min wage type)get put on any of the committees? Most of them are the ones who see the problems first hand..You don’t have to have a PHD to be smart or know what’s right.
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is jac ques french?
Good question 10:09. Instead of seeking out small business owners and people working the front lines, along with some of our new industry friends, it appears our new leader has dropped back and reached into a few old Chamber directory and sought out former board members and committee chairs to lead the way with a few of his personal friends in the mix.
Because they are his friends has nothing to do with it. They are there because they are qualified. some people choose to surround themselves with smart people!
Is there a website that is posting content about the team’s work and goals? Why are “Vision” and “Economic Development” given over to individuals while other key issue areas are being addressed by committee? Under which heading might culture and arts be considered? I think the idea of the team is excellent, but none of us can pass judgement on its work unless we can read minutes or get at least some synopsis of what is going on in the meetings. Transparency should begin now, Mayor-elect. Gathering business leaders and friends to strategize is great, but widening the circle for fresh insights might energize the process even more. Adding some people who have other perspectives (and little ambition for city contracts), as 10:09 and 11:49 suggest, could be worthwhile. That would help more of the population buy in to the new administration’s plans. Here’s an idea: start a Transition Team blog and invite responses to preliminary reports given by the individual leaders or committee chairs. To include those who don’t blog, have a series of town hall meetings while plans are still in development so public input can be solicited.
Mmmm…I responded to this particular post without reading the letter from Jacques and outline of his team goals. (I’ve taken a blog vacation since a few days after the election, so I’m a bit behind.) From the individuals named, I might guess that arts and culture could come up in the “quality of life” and “education” groups.
I support and cheer on the team. My previous questions and suggestions for opportunites for public response do remain.
They could come up under that heading or since MOST states now see arts and culture as part of the CREATIVE ECONOMY – you know acutal businesses which generate revenue and are used to attract other revenue streams, they could be under economic development. However, I seriously doubt Alexandria will ever evolve to that forward thinking of that nature. We still can’t get past who won the election.