Professional Documents
Culture Documents
com: Deadline – NOON today w/ photo & resume
1. Why are you running for alderman of the 29th ward?
As a 25 year resident of the ward, I know I can offer the type of Leadership needed to restore
trust and accountability back to the residents. I will make sure that the general maintenance of
the ward is consistent, and services delivered are equal to the highest standard set in other
parts of the city, from the south end to the north end. I will work hard to make sure our ward is
safe. I will hold accountable our Police to keep our streets safe, enforcing the curfew
ordinance, keeping our young people out of harms way. I will work hard to increase community
participation at the CAPS meeting so that we develop a strong relationship throughout the ward
that we will not stand by and allow our community to be terrorized by gangs, etc.
2. Why are you qualified to be alderman?
I am a 25 year resident of the ward, with over 20 years of government services. For the past 20
years, I have served as a board officer for the Forest Preserve District overseeing a budget of
$170 million. I come from a grassroots background. I understand the value of utilizing
networks such as Parents to effectuate the level of Education in our ward. I want to establish a
‘Community Board’ that will consist of all the stakeholders living or doing business in the ward,
to assist in developing the 29th ward’s Business & Economic Agenda as we move forward. I
possess the courage fight the status quo. I understand government and I believe that
government should be responsible and responsive to the people.
3. What, if any, is your relationship with former alderman Ike Carothers
None
4. What do you believe to be the 29th Ward’s assets? Its weaknesses?
The assets are its diverse racial mix and social economic status of it residents. The majority of
the residents have genuine concern and the interest in helping to address the major issues that
affect our ward; crime, education, jobs and economic development.
Its weakness is the lack of quality education, schools and job opportunities.
5. How do you envision the 29th Ward changing under your leadership
Residents feeling like they made a good decision by voting for Mary Russell Gardner.
Accountability, restoring trust, ensuring complete, timely, two‐way communication about
potential opportunities or projects throughout the ward. General maintenance of the ward
would be enhanced, and I would share with the residents our priorities for the ward’s diverse
neighborhood.
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6. What are your top three priorities as alderman? How will you accomplish them? Please be as
specific as possible.
Crime – making sure our seniors are safe, el stops are safe as we go about our daily routine
Jobs – assessing what our businesses have to offer in term of employment, putting together an
aggressive plan with short term and long term goals for getting our people back to work.
Education – holding monthly meetings with all the stakeholders so that we can develop a plan
that will identify those critical areas/needs within our schools. Take our agenda to CPS.
7. What is your position on the creation of a new Austin High School? If you believe one should be
opened, where do you think it should be located?
I support a new Austin High School. I would want to get more input from the community on
where the school should be located.
8. How will you tackle the issues of crime and public safety in the 29th ward?
I’d request outdoor roll calls on a regular basis. Relocation of Police Officer to those high crime
areas. Look into hiring officer with at least 2 years of experience that want to work for the
Chicago Police Department, you can fast track them through the academy because of their
experience, and we could have more officers on the street which is sure to deter crime.
I would work hard encouraging the residents to support the CAPS program and all that it offers.
We have to be the eyes and ears of our neighbors. As residents, we have an obligation to assist
in whatever way we can to make sure crime decreases in the ward.
9. How will you create jobs and encourage business to open in the ward?
I would promote the 29th ward for its location, the gateway to the western suburbs. We have
beautiful Frank Lloyd Wright houses. We have a thriving business community. We just need a
Leader who will speak loud and work hard to attract businesses who will commit to hiring our
residents.
10. How will you address the multitude of vacant lots and work to beautify the 29th ward?
First thing would be to assess the lots, the location and history of these properties. Again, I
would look to gather input from those communities on the best use of said properties and then
we would develop an agenda and approach the proper city official with our plans for restoration
of these lots.
11. Do you feel the 29th ward is getting its share of TIF projects? If not, how will you go about
bringing TIF dollars to the ward?
This is another one of those projects that I would want a full audit of the entire ward before
making or support any recommendations involving the use of TIF funds.
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12. How, as alderman, will you keep residents informed about what is happening in their ward? (i.e.,
public meetings, website, facebook)
I plan to have monthly meetings, a satellite office on the north end because I heard consistently
that they feel left out. Yes, we will utilize all of the electronic medium of communication. We
will reinstitute our Block Clubs so that we have a way of getting information out in a orderly
fashion.
In order to get a good handle on the status of the ward, we are looking at the possibility of some
weekend hours so that residents can come out and express their concerns.
13. How much money do you expect to spend on your aldermanic campaign? We have a budget of
$150,000. From whom are you raising the funds? Personal Loan. Family and Friends. How are
you spending the funds? Our campaign is targeted toward dedicated voters.
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