KAPAC ::: Korean American Public Affairs Communittee :::

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  kapac 2007-08-26 16:49:39 | READ : 8694

T  I  T  L  E   More participation in the local community affairs to build the Korean political power

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We observe more often than not various gatherings only among the Koreans fall short of serving the Korean communities by bringing about the desired changes or real impacts on how we live when they are not backed up by a proper representation in the local authorities. The fact is that we live in a country where local autonomies are so developed that most of the decisions affecting the daily lives of the citizens are made by the local politics. Federal or state government are not easily accessible given the economic and political bases of the Korean communities like the geographical distribution and the number of registered voters. On the contrary, if we try hard enough, the Korean communities can make our presence recognized properly and make sure our voices heard in the local politics.

Foremost in this regard, we must appoint as many advisory board members of the local county and towns as possible through continuing to foster the close, cooperative relations with the leaders in local politics. Although a member of advisory board appears to be an honorary figure, its roles in fact do not confine to those implied by the honorary title. It exercises authorities in reviewing and approving the budgets of the local government and in formulating and recommending policies for the governments to adopt and execute.  He or she wields enormous power in administering the activities of each department of the local governments.

In case of the Nassau County, New York, for example, the Korean communities were underrepresented in the administration of local government in proportion to their large population, numbering about forty five thousands. Helped largely by the strenuous efforts by the KAPAC, two volunteer posts in the Office of the Consumer Affairs were accorded to the Korean Americans in May 2006. Since then more advisory board member were appointed, one in the Parks and Museum Board in August 2006; one in the Law Enforcement Advisory Board in March 2007; one paid appointment in the Health Department in June 2007; one in the Transportation Safety Board in July 2007; one Human Rights Commissioner in July 2007; one board member in the Environment Protection Board of North Hempstead Township.

In the case of the Parks and Museum Board, the Park Department must acquire the approval from the advisory board in order to spend the tax revenues generated from the occupancy tax of hotels and motels upon the approval of the New York State. In case of disapproval of the advisory board, the county will lose the tax revenue next year in addition to those foregone this year. The advisory board plays the roles of a legislative body in the Parks and Museum Department and as such has influences emanating from playing the roles.

Likewise, a member of the Law Enforcement Advisory Board can have a meeting with the Police Commissioner when a situation occurs necessitating it. For instance, shortly after the indiscriminating gun shooting incidence at Virginia Tech in May 2007, the KAPAC as a member of the advisory board could visit the Police Commissioners of the Nassau and Suffolk Counties and asked an increased surveillance and protection for the Korean businesses and the Korean American students from any offences directed toward them as a reprisal to the incident.

From these, we can learn that we cannot have a power to protect our interests unless we have a foothold on the local American politics. However wealth we have accumulated through diligence and hard work, we cannot receive a treatment equivalent to that wealth absent a political base matching it. This sort of economic success is only a half, incomplete success. With experiences and knowledge in the local politics the KAPAC will spare no efforts in enhancing the political stature of the Korean communities and will assist anyone who has a desire to contribute to the growth of the Korean communities in the American politics.

The KAPAC strongly urges active participation by more Korean Americans in the local community affairs for our elevated stature in the local politics and the proud future of our children.

Korea Times Column August 18, 2007