19711 NEWS IN REVIEW 467

Citizen Action . . Kim Taylor, Editor

Hartford Holds Arts Festival

Chamber of Commerce, City Sponsor Eight-Day Event

PROMOTION of civic affairs in Hart- ford, Connecticut’s state capital, reached

a new high in June with the holding of an eight-day Hartford Civic and Arts Festi- val on Constitution Plaza. The event, sponsored by the Greater Hartford Cham- ber of Commerce with the cooperation of city officials, attracted thousands of visitors each day to view the numerous exhibits and attend special programs.

Some 3,000 volunteer workers assisted in presenting the festival under the leader- ship of an executive director. Large num- bers of persons also contributed to the exhibit of some 600 pieces of art and various live performing arts.

The art exhibits were unusual in their presentation of abstract designs as well as traditional works. A leading example was the “Artist Looks at Industry” exhibit, which featured sculptured presentations of machine parts, industrial scrap and construction materials. Some of the dis- plays in the exhibit were taken directly off the assembly line of Connecticut in- dustries, as, for instance, stainless steel engine pa; ts which came from an aircraft plant and were made into a “Jet Abstract’’ design City planners as well as profes- sional sculptors participated in the exhibit. In another unusual exhibit, the head cus- todian of a public elementary school dis- played a “Man Reaches the Moon” wrought-iron sculpture, made from heavy boiler scraps collected from junk yards for the past three years.

Numerous jazz and symphony groups performed during the festival, as well as concert soloists and dance ensembles.

Many of the programs were geared toward children or youth, with young peo- ple taking an active part. Scenes from operas and plays also were presented by theater and professional marionette groups. Among the dance and choral groups were students from Central Con- necticut State College and Hartt College of Music, and members of the Bellevue Square Afro-Ensemble.

In addition to the week-long Hartford Civic and Arts Festival, a People’s Free Arts Festival was held in June in Bush- nell Park, not far from the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event. Some 650 young persons and adults attended the opening presentation of the People’s Free Arts Festival which featured three rock bands and several art exhibits.

The two art festivals were part of numerous programs held throughout Con- necticut during the summer months in an effort to encourage community participa- tion by local residents and summer visi- tors. In most of the presentations, munic- ipal officials cooperated with civic leaders to present programs that would leave a favorable impact on community relations.

ROSALINE LEVENSON Institute of Public Service University of Connecticut

County Reports Progress on Forward Thrust Work

Forward Thrust, a public-private coali- tion for civic improvement, began in 1966 with the appointment of a citizens com- mittee by local officials in the King County (Seattle) area. For two years the pri- vately financed committee studied and devised workable programs to meet the county‘s capital needs. Seven bond issues were approved by the voters in 1968, pledging $333,900,000 for several of the proposed projects. When the committee

468 NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW [September

completed its work in 1970, some of the projects were either under way or already completed (see the REVIEW, February 1967, page 115 ; April 1968, page no; February 1969, page 56; July 1970, page 398).

The plans and the bond authoriza- tions called for implementation by the local governments over a period of 12 years, and for interested private citizens to maintain close contacts with agencies charged with responsibility for the various programs. To ensure that the communi- cation lines remain open, committee re- ports are available from local libraries and county agencies, annual reports are presented to the citizens showing cumula- tive work progress as well as curre-t financial accounts, and each quarter agencies administering Forward Thrust funds report on their work programs and expenses.

According to a recent report, Forward Thrust Work: 1968-1970, the improve- ments begun in 1966 and now completed have generated enthusiasm for the long- term goals, because other benefits have accrued to the communities in addition to the new highways, parks, improved fire protection, sewers and a youth center. More than a thousand full-time new jobs have been created in the last two years, roadways are safer, the bacteria count from unsanitary sewers has dropped, and the aesthetic beauty of the area has im- proved.

Although these Forward Thrust pro- g r a m s are proving successful, there are problems facing their ultimate completion. Interest rates which determine the bond issuance schedule have risen since the orig- inal limits were set in 1968. Until the current market rates decline, money for specific phases of some projects may not be available when needed. Not only have the rising interest rates limited the supply of money, but the increased construction costs also demand that more money be available. Federal and state grants, the

report states, have so far sufficiently offset the wage and equipment increases.

Perhaps the major problem at this time is determining the stadium site. The orig- inal Seattle Center location has been re- jected, although the $.lO-million bond issue was approved. Using 25 percent of the money from that issue, new feasibility studies have begun. It is noted that, al- though these administrative costs have been offset by interest earnings from the total bond, no plans yet appeal to all groups. Even so, citizens, civic organiza- tions and local governments have actively committed themselves to completion of the Forward Thrust projects.

Youth Fund Compiles Updated Voting Laws

The Youth Citizenship Fund has com- piled and published Registration and Vot- ing Lows of the 50 States (2100 M Street, N. W., Suite 306, Washington, D. C. 20037, 300 pages, $12). The staff has main- tained information networks with state legislatures and designed the manual in a way to facilitate recording new election laws and maintaining its comprehensive- ness, particularly since 18-year-olds have now become an important and controver- sial part of the electorate.

State laws establishing the whole regis- tration and voting process are examined and explained in detail. These statutory requirements outline qualifications for registrars and their assistants, their selection, and appeals for rejected appli- cants. Special emphasis was placed on defining residence requirements for new voters, with an eye to the problems faced by both college students and college towns.

The manual also discusses regulations governing purging from the voting rolls, statutory disqualifications from voting and the availability of absentee registration. The analysis is detailed and specific, designed to help avoid conflict and eliminate uncertainty about new voter qualifications and election procedures.

19711 NEWS IN REVIEW 469

ACES Teaches Economic8 Young social scientists are thus en- to New Jersey Students

Businessmen, teachers and industry, working through a nonprofit organization, provide 12 northern New Jersey counties with a free study of the philosophy and operation of the free enterprise system. As reported in Newark, magazine of the Greater Newark Chamber of Commerce, Americans for the Competitive Enter- prise System, Inc. (ACES) reaches over 12,000 students annually in its prograa, which consists of films, discussions with executives and a field trip.

The program was established when state statistics showed that New Jersey lagged behind the low national percentage of high school students with a basic un- derstanding of the economic system. The ACES program begins with an objective analysis of the market and command economies. Then the students are intro- duced to the operational phases of the market by factory tours and discussions with plant executives.

The program has been such a success, ACES spokesmen say, that they hope to expand into the college level and increase the number of businesses and industries participating. In this way ACES hopes to reduce much hostility, stemming from lack of information, that exists among all student groups toward the free enterprise system.

Budding Social Scientists Encouraged in Georgia

The Georgia Municipal Association is providing high school and junior high students with a unique opportunity to study their communities’ problems. Each year a “Cities and Towns Award” is pre- sented for outstanding projects entered in the Georgia Social Science Fair. Through their interests in political science, soci- ology, economics or psychology, students select a problem and design a project to show its origins and its salient features, and perhaps suggest some solutions.

couraged to express their original ideas in meaningful research.

According to the rep.-t in Urban Georgia, the Georgia Social Science Fairs are now in jeopardy, despite their importance to civic and community devel- opment, and new sponsors are needed if original work by the young social sci- entists is to continue in 1972.

Neighborhood C O U ~ C ~ ~ S Citizens in Independence, Missouri,

have more voice in their local government through 46 new neighborhood councils, according to Public Management. Each council of 20 members and 20 alternates represents from 2,000 to 6,000 people. Neighborhood residents over 16 years old may nominate, run for office and vote whether or not they vote in other elec- tions. The councils will be linked to the city council and all city departments by the Citizens Advisory Council, a commit- tee of all neighborhood council presidents. These presidents may receive special training from Central Missouri State Col- lege, if federal funds are available. Quali- fied staff will also meet with city officials to suggest ways of maximum involvement and accomplishment from the citizens’ ac- tivities.

Students Work to End Pollution Students and volunteers in Evanston,

Illinois, have joined in Northwestern Students for a Better Environment to fight local and nationwide pollution. In its recently published booklet, An I tad id - ual Appoach to Pollution (Northwestern University, 2321 Sheridan Road, Evans- ton, Illinois 60201, 20 pages), the group considers everyday household activities in light of a better environment. I t is con- cluded that, with little disruption in sched- ule and daily habits, polluting effects of those activities can be considerably de- creased. The students advocate staying informed about the causes of pollution and

470 NATIONAL CIVIC REVIEW [September

actively trying to influence the opinion of industry, neighbors, friends and public officials as the most effective means to maintain a clean environment.

With the LWVs The League of Women Voters of

Montgomery County, Maryland, recently published Money for Montgomery County: A Siirvcy of Local Revenue (10425 Faw- cett Street, Kensington, Maryland 20795, 25 pages, 50 cents). Based on a two-year study project, the work examines revenue sources in one of the richest counties in the nation. The league found that Mont- gomery County, like others across the country, faces fund shortages relative to service expectations. The group concluded that local taxation policy affects com- munity priorities and growth and should therefore be studied as the major deter- minant of the quality of life in each area.

The LWV recommended that income from property taxes, other local revenues and intergovernmental sources should be used more efficiently, and in existing pro- grams and facilities. Community priorities should be reexamined in light of the rev- enue limitations to determine the most desired level of services before new taxes or revenue sources are tapped.

The league has also put out another study, Water Facts (9 pages, 5 cents), which outlines government agencies’ re- sponsibility for management and planning of water resource use and specifies par- ticular ordinances and legislation enacted

to fulfill those commitments. The league’s position is that official means cannot guarantee the preservation and wise use of a healthful water supply. Citizens must join to enforce and maintain legislative and administrative programs and goals.

Who Makes Decisions, a booklet of the League of Women Voters of Metropolitan Washington (10425 Fawcett rtreet, Ken- sington, Maryland 20795, 1970, 52 pages, 25 cents) and the Sears Roebuck Founda- tion scrutinizes local problems that require regional decisions and the jurisdiction of the many levels of government. Federal, state and local political arrangements, as well as relationships of authority and in- fluence, overlap to such an extent that city and suburban problems cannot be con- sidered independently of each other.

The political structure of the area is fragmented into the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, and all the smaller units of local government and special districts. The increasing and diverse needs of the region call for consolidation or at least cooperation for regional planning. The voluntary Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the area’s only metropolitan planning agency, has no power to make decisions but compiles data to aid local government decisions, reviews requests for federal funds, and works with various other commissions and authorities. These associations of existing govern- ments combine their resources to tackle the metropolitan problems within the po- litical maze of the Washington area.