No room at the top March 1993

 

Hoboken Creative Alliance critic withdraws from elections.

 

 

Citing fundamental problems in election procedure as well as in the organization itself, Jeff Faria withdrew from elections to the Hoboken Creative Alliance this week.

"It's a sham," Faria said. "If I ran under these circumstances it would have given legitimacy to the whole thing."

Faria, who had withdrawn from active participation over a year ago, was notified of his nomination when a member from the HCA's steering committee called.

"I had two days to prepare a statement for their newsletter, which I was to turn into the current president," Faria said, noting that the current president, Joe Borzotta, is running for reelection. Perceiving a conflict of interest, Faria turned the statement into the steering committee, asking to speak before the membership.

"I was then informed that my statement would not be run, as it was too long," Faria said, nor was it made clear whether he could address the membership. He said the president apparently controls that aspect of the procedures as well. Borzotta is well known among the membership. Faria is not. Although Faria said his nomination may have been a sign of some people within the Alliance seeking change.

"I then withdrew my availability to run for the office having effectively been given no chance to run," Faria said. "This will be the second election in which the president of the HCA will run for office unopposed."

Faria said he was one of a number of people eager to help see the HCA succeed when it was first organized two years ago, but grew increasingly concerned with the "cloak and dagger" management techniques employed. He believes the alliance lacks structure or checks and balances within its government, and said as much to the current president, the membership, and later the newspapers.

"By this time I had felt compelled to withdraw from active participation," he said. Faria said he always feared the HCA would not be taken seriously.

"Although HCA membership has grown to a significant percentage of local artists-- it is not a all the artist artists nor the majority of local artists by any means-- most of its members have either been frustrated by their inability to have an impact on the direction of the HCA."

Many he said have ceased attempting to have an impact and have settled for what the HCA does offer.

Faria recommends a complete overhaul of procedures, rules and regulations, noting the lack of an organizational means for a member to bring up a proposal before the membership.

He suggests integration of the HCA into the local community through community services of various kinds. This would establish a purpose and improve the HCA's image. He also said the HCA should establish a voice in local politics that would allow it to look out for the interests of artists

The HCA government, Faria said, should open up the process of board meetings and other activities to the general membership. Faria says contents of the newsletter were often kept secret even board members until it was published.

 

 Hudson Reporter archive 1993


email to Al Sullivan

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