Human Rights Resignation Letter_Mary CoanPage 1 of 2
Jeanne Schneider -Fwd: Coan letter
From: Kelly Larson
To: Jeanne Schneider
Date: 02/21/2008 1:59 PM
Subject: Fwd: Coan letter
CC: Shane Oswald
Hi, Jeanne. We received this letter of resignation from Mary Coan. I assume it should be provided to
the City Council?
»> Mary Coan <marycoan9747@yahoo.com> 2/11/2008 1:26 PM »>
Hi, Kelly and Shane,
Hope you are staying warm and shoveled out ...............ready for the next blast! !
This month has been a bit crazy. Katrina and I met once and I had to cancel two subsequent meetings.
Because of me, our goal, as stated in the minutes, was not accomplished. I was very sick with a cold for
almost 2 weeks and we had a water pipe break in our kitchen ceiling which ruined ceiling, floor and
walls, furniture, etc. At the same time, my husband was gone and so I was dealing with all the clean-up
and subsequent negotiations. It's been quite a challenge ,although certainly no comparison to what I
saw in New Orleans or what's happened recently in Tennessee, etc. I also missed the first DDRC
meeting because I of the bad cold.
These "events" have given me fodder for reflection! ! I realize that we set important goals for the
commission this year. They are all important for strengthening and moving the work of the Commission
and office forward; they are essential to furthering human rights efforts in Dubuque. However, I am not
sure that I can, within the time frame which has developed, meet the understandable and necessary
expectations to help accomplish them .
At this time, personal committments will continue and I may not be able to give these projects the full
attention they need so that they will soon begin to enhance the work of the commission. All of this
brings me to the point that I think it would be best if I resign from the HRCommission.
On another note, I did have the opportunity to do some less energy-consuming, less creative work. I did
some research with regard to low and moderate income housing in the city. I purchased a map from
the Housing Office that shows the areas in the city designated low/mod income (eg., for a famly of 4:
lowest (below 17,xxx), low (17xxx- 29xxx), moderate (29xxx-47xxx)). The designations are based on
HUD criteria. 51 % of families/households is the minimum for an area of the city to be classified as
low/mod income. Needless to say, most of downtown is classified as low/mod income. The range of
families/households that are classified as low/mod is anywhere between 51% to 85% in areas of the
city. The small areas of downtown that are below 51 % of families/households classified
as low/modcriteria are generally not that far below ...............generally around 49%. I found the map and
data to be very informative.
I know that housing is an increasing concern for the office and commission. If you would ever like to
borrow the map and some of the accompanying data, I'll be happy to bring it and share it with you.
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If the office or commission have other projects/issues that I may be able to help research, do not hestiate
to ask.
The enthusiasm and energy you both give to job is commendable!! Your dedication and service are an
example for all of us. Thanks for all you do to make Dubuque a better and more peaceful place to live.
Take care,
Mary Coan
Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo vour homepa~e.
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