Box 7, Folder 18, Document 9

Box 7, Folder 18, Document 9

CITY OF ATLANTA “izs”

te ot . se

CITY HALL ATLANTS, GA. 30303

R. EARL LANDERS, Administrative Assistant
MRS. ANN M. MOSES, Executive Secretary

Tel. 522-4463 Area Code 404
4
/ : IVAN ALLEN, JR., MAYOR

a DAN E. SWEAT, JR., Director of Governmental Liaison

May 26, 1967

Mr. Irving K, Kaler, Chairman
Community Relations Commission
1203 City Hall

Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Dear Mr. Kaler:

I was very surprised to learn that the Community Relations
Commission had filed a Vista Project Proposal with the Office
of Economic Opportunity for the purpose of providing a "reliable
source of information on the various programs having to do with
the proposed Model Neighborhood Program in Atlanta."

As you know, the Model Neighborhood Program is a project of

the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Atlanta. A
planning grant application was approved by the Board and Mayor
on March 6th requesting funds to plan a Model Neighborhood under
the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of
1966. .

A key part of this application provides for a Community Relations
Coordinator, four Neighborhood Involvement Specialists and
twelve Supporting Community Development Aides ( citizen planners
who will be employed from among the residents of the neighborhood. )
A copy of the proposed organization chart is attached,

a
The wording of the Community Relations Commission application
to OEO ( copy attached) implies:

1. That information provided through the Model City
organization might not be "reliable".

2. That groups must plan "independently" of the City or
Model City agency.
May 24, 1967

Mr. Irving K. Kaler, Chairman
Community Relations Commission

Page Two

The Model City proposal was developed with the cooperation of
many groups, agencies and individual citizens of the Model City
Neighborhood, Citizens of both races were involved, The
Mayor's Office and all the agencies and groups involved in the
preparation of the application have acted in good faith with all

involved,

We have attempted to provide reliable, intelligent and honest
information on all phases of the program as we have progressed
to this stage.

We feel that the Model Cities organizational structure as proposed
will be able to provide for full involvement and participation for
all citizens and groups interested in being a part of the project.

It is my opinion that any information group as proposed, using
temporary outside residents such as Vista Volunteers, would
tend to increase the confusion and anxiety which might exist
in the community.

Since the Model Neighborhood Program is being coordinated from
the Mayor's Office, it would be helpful if any proposals which
might affect the Model Neighborhood Program were discussed with
this office. If we are ever to hope to achieve full communications
and coordination among our deprived citizens, we certainly must
first be able to have cooperation and understanding among those of
us who have been assigned to help. -

a
Please be assured that the Community Relations Commission has
the full cooperation of this office at all times.

Sincerely yours,

Dan FE. Sweat
Director of Governmental Liaison

DES:lp
CC: Mayor Ivan Allen, i

Mrs. Eliza Paschall