Michael Sauers
August 10, 2026
On August 9, 2026, I posted “Guidance for Combatting One-sided Determinations for Data Centers, Fracking, Pipelines, Power Lines, Etc.”. Most of the guidance is self-explanatory requiring some research, legal advise and contacting elected officials.
One step, developing broad based community consensus for economic development, is worthy of a few suggestions and models.
The first model was developed by Bernie Sanders forty years ago when he was Mayor of Burlington, Vermont. It still operates today. Neighborhood Planning Assemblies (NPA’s) are organized by wards, precincts or other political units as deemed workable with an emphasis on smaller rather than larger. In Burlington, the idea is to give citizens the opportunity to participate in city-wide issues. NPA are open to all residents of the designated units who then elect steering committees. Their core functions are to host candidates for elected office, review proposed economic, community, and environmental development plans, and make their own plans for development. Subsequently, a committee formed from all units meets with city government. It is funded by a community development block grant. Google Burlington, Vermont NPA for additional information.
A second source for models is at Public Citizen which was founded by Ralph Nader in 1971. It focuses on citizens rights in relation to community development, health care, corporate and government accountability. They are experts at helping communities organize around a large number of issues. Google Public Citizen for further information.
For a more local source contact this writer at msauers50@gmail.com. The founders of the Greenfire Coalition explicitly included economic development as part of its foundational plan. Initially, the Coalition focused on scrutinizing how regional projects, land use and corporate or governmental decisions impacted local quality of life. Subsequently, Greenfire developed its own approach to development which, like the Coalition itself, was broad based, consensus driven with an emphasis on leadership development.
These are but three of many sources. Research it.