Groups Seek Alternative Site for Powell School Relocation
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 by admin in Community Focus
Proposal for relocation at Rainbow Beach Park Opposed
by Lesley R. Chinn
Having a school sit right off the lake may be a good idea to some people, but members of Friends of the Parks and the South Shore Community Organization have other ideas for relocating Powell Elementary School. The two groups oppose moving Powell across the street to the north end of Rainbow Beach Park. Right now, the school is located on 7530 S. South Shore Drive.
Last Friday, members of both groups toured the area to seek alternative sites. However, it’s the current site that impressed them most. Instead of relocating the school, the groups see room for expansion and using the current space more efficiently.
Erma Traintor, president of Friends of the Parks, pointed out that the land on the South side of Powell School, where the two trailers are located on the current site are not being used at all. Friends of the Parks is a membership organization that works to protect, preserve and improve park and beach properties. “All of that land is available if an addition (is needed),” she said.
About five years ago, a similar situation erupted on the North side where residents opposed a school being built in Warren Park. “We researched the land and found that the land couldn’t be transferred for a school because the state had given the park district the land,” Traintor recalled.
Park land, especially in the Black community, is being threatened and this latest issue seems to be part of a trend said, Aarafa Payne, a co-facilitator of the South Shore Community Organization. “Building a school on the lakefront in Lincoln Park would never happen in Lincoln Park,” she added.
In addition, Traintor said building a school on the lakefront would violate the city’s lakefront protection ordinance. The ordinance, adopted in 1973, mandates that the City of Chicago create parks along the entire Lakefront. “This lakefront belongs to everybody to use for health and fitness. The community of South Shore and even further south as Southeast Chicago are very park poor. They don’t have enough space for recreation,” Traintor said. “Park land should never be given to the board of education. Schools should be built when they are needed. The board of education needs to find the appropriate land, do good planning and build a school on the land they acquire and not look to the park district to (get) it.”
Dr. Akilah Martin, also a member of the South Shore Community Organization, agreed. She said new property shouldn’t be taken away when there is existing property that could be used for expansion.
Citing safety concerns such as drowning and crossing a busy intersection, Payne said that Rainbow Beach is the only real access to park space for the South Shore area and a school built at Rainbow Beach Park, would only reduce opportunities for recreation. “Our issue is don’t take our park space away for a school. We love a school. Our property taxes may go up and we’re ok with that, but we’re not ok with putting a school in the scarce park space that we have,” Payne said.
In response to both groups’ concerns, an official from 7th Ward Ald. Sandi Jackson’s office who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the alternative site that the groups request have been reviewed. The official stated that the current site would not be the best alternative because it would involve tearing down the school in order to rebuild it and temporarily displacing the students. The official also said that Rainbow Beach Park is a much better location because the space allotted would accommodate more than 900 students.
CPS spokesman Frank Shuftan said construction for the new school is projected to start in the Spring of 2009, adding that it will be ready for student enrollment in the Fall of 2010. Shuftan said the announcement of construction of the new Powell School was made as part of the Modern Schools Across Chicago program in June 2006. The new school will follow a prototype design on 2.43 acres of land, offering about 106,000 square feet to 900 students from prekindergarten to 8th grade, he said. As part of this project, the Chicago Park District will receive approximately two acres of land in return for the approximate one acre to be used in the development of Powell School. The land the park district will get is farther south in Rainbow Beach Park, according to Shuftan, who said the plan is scheduled to go before various city agencies sometime this month.
The alderman’s official said the school would be relocated closest to the street and not the lakefront. She said the same concerns about safety at the current location would be similar at the proposed site. Afence separating the school land from the lakefront property would be erected and there would be crossing guards onsite to help patrol traffic during school hours, she added.
Calls were made to Powell School’s principal Derek Jordan, but he had no comment about the relocation process.
Governor, Chief of Staff Arrested
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
Prosecutors Allege He Tried to Sell U.S. Senate Seat
Gov. Rod Blagojevich
by Lisette Livingston
Yesterday, at around 6:30 a.m. Governor Rod Blagojevich was taken into federal custody at his North side home and brought up on federal corruption charges stemming from allegations that he put the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Presidentelect Barack Obama “up for sale,” in an pay-for-play federal investigation scheme.
In the two-count criminal complaint, Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff are charged with conspiring to obtain personal financial benefits by leveraging the Governor’s sole authority to appoint a United States Senator; threatening to withhold substantial state assistance to the Chicago Tribune Newspaper in connection with the sale of Wrigley Field unless certain editorial board members critical of the Governor were fired. The allegations also include obtaining campaign contributions in exchange for other political favors. According to the Department of Justice, the Governor pushed for these things before a new state ethics law could take effect on January 1, 2009. The men are also charged with conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud plus solicitation of bribery. Conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, while solicitation of bribery carries a maximum of 10 years. Each count carries a maximum fine of $250,000.
“This is a very sad day in Illinois government. Governor Blagojevich has taken us to a totally new low. You might have thought that in that environment, that pay-to-play would slow down. The opposite happened. It sped up,” said U.S. States Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. “Governor Blagojevich was working feverishly to get as much money to contractors, shaking them down to pay-to-play, before the end of the year,” he said.
According to the allegations, Blagojevich and his Chief of Staff John Harris schemed with others—including previously convicted defendants Antoin Rezko, Stuart Levine, Ali Ata and others—since becoming governor in 2002 to obtain financial benefits for himself, his family and third parties including his campaign committee, Friends of Blagojevich.
In a 76-page affidavit released by the United States Attorney’s Office, Blagojevich, among other things, is accused of withholding an $8 Million commitment in state funds from the Chicago Memorial Hospital when he failed to receive a $50,000 contribution. The Governor and Harris are also accused of meeting with two other individuals —one of whom sought state help with a business venture. Blagojevich allegedly told “Individual A” to approach the other person, “Individual B” about raising $100,000 for Friends for Blagojevich. “Individual A” allegedly said he later learned that the Governor reached out directly to “Individual B,” and asked about holding the fund-raiser himself. According to Fitzgerald, there is no evidence to suggest that President elect Barack Obama was aware of the alleged schemes.
The complaint also alleges that the Governor promised to raise state money to fund a tollway project—beyond $1.8 billion that he announced on October 15—but was waiting to see how much money a contractor in the case had raised for his campaign committee first.
The complaint further alleges that Governor Blagojevich was intercepted on wiretaps that in exchange for the Senate appointment, Blagojevich discussed obtaining a substantial salary for himself at either, “a nonprofit foundation or an organization affiliated with labor unions,” according to a released statement. The allegations also involve granting political favors if his wife was placed on paid corporate boards where he allegedly speculated she might garner as much as $150,000 a year. There are also promises of campaign funds, including, “cash up front,” alleged in the complaint. In addition, the governor allegedly considered bargaining for himself a cabinet post or ambassadorship position.
In the earliest intercepted conversations caught on tape regarding the Senate seat, Blagojevich reportedly told an official on his staff, “ ‘if…they’re not going to offer anything of any value, then I might just take it.’ ” Later, the Governor is taped as saying, “ ‘I’m going to keep this Senate option for me a real possibility, you know, and therefore I can drive a hard bargain.‘ ” He later added that the seat “ ‘is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.’ ”
The day after the election, the Governor was captured discussing with another individual in his office about whether he could obtain a cabinet position, such as Secretary of Health and Human Services or the Department of Energy. In a conversation with Harris on November 4, Blagojevich is accused of analogizing his situation to that of a “sports agent,” shopping, “ ‘a potential free agent, ‘” to the “ ‘highest bidder. ‘”
The day after the election, Harris allegedly suggested to Blagojevich that the President-elect could make him (the Governor) the head of a private foundation. On November 10th, there are also accusations that Blagojevich, his wife, Harris, the Governor’s General Counsel, an advisor and other Washington-based advisors participated at different times in a two-hour phone call in which they allegedly discussed among other things, a deal involving the Service Employees International Union. (SEIU).
Allegedly, Harris said they could “work out a deal,” with the union and the President-elect, where SEIU could help the President-elect with the Governor’s appointment of one of the candidates being considered. In exchange, the Governor would allegedly use this as a way to obtain a position as the National Director of the Change to Win campaign, an organization affiliated with various union groups, including SEIU. In exchange for the deal, SEIU allegedly would get something favorable from President-elect in the future. However, the complaint states that Blagojevich agreed it was unlikely that the President-elect would name him Secretary of Health and Human Services or give him an ambassadorship because of all of the negative publicity surrounding him.
The charges come on the heels of a push by several local groups, including Concerned Clergy of Illinois, to name an African American to the position. Several other groups have also endorsed various other candidates including Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Congressman Danny Davis and Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr., all of whom were unavailable for comment. Other candidates the Governor was considering before the arrests, included Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill); Tammy Duckworth, director of Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs and Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Under the law, the Governor has the sole responsibility of appointing a replacement. The United States Department of Justice refused to comment on how the new revelations could affect the appointment process or any modifications in the law.
Community is The“Anti-ViolenceWeapon”
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 by admin in Community Focus
Psychiatrist Promotes Block-by-Block Approach
by Lesley R. Chinn
According to the American Psychological Association, about 71 percent of youth say they are interested in learning about the warning signs of violence. One in twelve highschool students is threatened or injured with a weapon each year. With all of the statistics, models for intervention, medications and diagnoses, getting back to basics is a start. “If we want to solve this problem, we need to rebuild our villages by starting block clubs and going to these schools to start strong parentteacher associations…,” said Dr. Carl Bell, president/CEO of the Community Mental Health Council.
Although people don’t necessarily develop long-term psychiatric disorders such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic event, it can still traumatize the person as well as families and communities. However, for victims, constantly stressing over a traumatic event, increases a person’s chances of developing a serious disorder by as much as 30 percent said Bell. Bell added people need to start building blockby-block in order to protect the youth from violence since the whole community is affected. “You don’t put the burden on the child to fix the problem. It’s the community, family, and school’s responsibility, not the child’s responsibility. We’re supposed to be protecting the children,” he said.
On December 17, a group of parents who have lost children to gun violence, will be joined by youth city-wide along with a number of prominent leaders including Rev. Father Michael Pfleger; Mayor Richard M. Daley; Min. Louis Farrakhan and Chicago Public Schools CEO Arne Duncan. At that time, the community will come together to hold an anti-violence rally downtown at the State of Illinois Building, 100 W. Randolph at Noon. Organizers, calling for an end to violence, plan to urge legislators to pass common sense gun laws and equal school funding reform measures.
Community involvement is a cure for the issue, said Bell. “When children are given a sense of safety, all of those horrible things that happen don’t stick,” he added. For more information about how to participate and to begin organizing your block against violence, call Saint Sabina Church at (773) 483-4300.
Chatham Business Association Holds It’s Monthly Meeting
Posted on 10. Dec, 2008 by admin in Community Focus
Insurance and Certification Discussed at CBA Meeting
Artis Simpson, Insurance Representative/Agent of Country Insurance businesses at CBA monthly meeting. Photo by Dwayne T. Ervin and Finacial Services, speaks about the benefit of having insurance for businesses at CBA monthly meeting. Photo by Dwayne T. Ervin
by Dwayne T. Ervin
Representatives fromCountry Insurance and Financial Services spoke about insurance and Montel Gayles, Chief Procurement Officer of Chicago Department of Procurement Services, spoke about how to become a certified minority or women-owned business in Chicago at Chatham Business Association (CBA) meeting recently.
Roger Robinson, investment representative agent with Country Financial, gave an introduction of the type of insurance Country has to offer for businesses.
“We have been referred to as the best kept secret in Chicago for doing insurance,” Robinson said. Country started to do business in Chicago last year. Previously, the company was based in the southern rural towns in Illinois and suburbs.
Country was created in 1925 in Bloomington, IL and began offering life insurance in 1929. It’s a full-service investment management and trust institution. “Our mission is to be the best financial security in America,” Robinson added.
“You have to ask yourself is that policy keeping up with the finances of your business,” Country presentative/agent Artis Simpson said. “If you don’t have proper coverage,
you will have to close your doors. In these times, we have to protect ourselves and our customers. We want to work as business partners.” gt;
Country’s target market is small to medium-sized businesses. They offer general liability, workers compensation, umbrella coverage and business owner policy. Country Insurance and Financial Services office is located at 87th Street near Cottage Grove.
Montel Gayles spoke about what’s ahead under an Obama administration. “He wants to rebuild roads, bridges and communication polls,” Gayles said. “Obama is going to give us the tools to get things done.”
Gayles stated that every Monday his office sends out an alert for procurement opportunities and target market opportunities. Minority and women-owned businesses are eligible. “The common thread is to turn in your paperwork on time. It takes 30 days to respond.”
Gayles mentioned that the most profitable are construction businesses, which make up 40 percent of all contracts awarded. What hurts African Americans is the fact that they are behind in becoming certified.
“You have to have partnerships,” Gayles continued. “You cannot isolate yourself to get your business going. We want to see each of you successful.”
To receive weekly Department of Procurement Services alerts, send an email to DPSalerts@cityofchicago.org or visit www.cityofchicago.org/procurement.
Also, Executive Director Melinda Kelly announced the new members of the CBA and other upcoming events were announced.
Harold’s Broad Base Appeal Inspired Obama’s Campaign
Posted on 26. Nov, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
Remembering Harold April 15, 1922-November 25, 1987
by Lesley R. Chinn
Before U.S. Senator Barack Obama emerged as the first Black president of the United States on November 4, 2008, 25 years earlier, Congressman Harold Washington was elected Chicago’s first Black mayor. On November 25, 2008, the city observed the 21st anniversary of the late Mayor’s death.
Chicago’s image of corrupt politics has been helped by both of these figures, changing the way people view the city, both nationally and abroad. At a party held shortly after his re-election on April 7, 1987, the late Mayor said to a group of supporters, “In the old days, when you told people in other countries that you were from Chicago, they would say, ‘Boom-boom! Rat-a-tat-tat!’ Nowadays, they say, ‘How’s Harold?’!”
With Obama’s election, the Citizen talked to renowned WVON radio host and magazine reporter for “In These Times,” Salim Muwakkil. Muwakkil, the author of “Harold: Photographs from the Harold Washington Years,” featuring photographs by Antonio Dickey, and Marc PoKempner, first became fascinated with Harold in 1976 when Mayor Richard J. Daley died and the Chicago Democratic Machine refused to allow then 34th Ward Ald. Wilson Frost, who is Black and who was the city’s President Pro Temp, to become the next mayor.
Muwakkil, who interviewed Washington as a Congressman for the Chicago Reader, recalled that the failure to elect Frost sparked protests among Black leaders. The controversy led the Black community to set up a series of meetings in search of a qualified African-American mayoral candidate to run in the 1983 election. Those actions resulted in Harold Washington becoming Chicago’s first Black Mayor.
Citizen: What propelled these two Black leaders to social power? Was it social politics or was it their charisma and charm with the people that carried them through?
Muwakkil: What propelled them is a mixture of their own internal motivation and the times that opportunities provided by the environment of the times. Harold Washington took advantage of the fact that Richard M. Daley was running against Jane Byrne…and that split the White vote and allowed Harold an opportunity to get in between those two warring Irish factions and assert the Black vote in a strong way. Senator Obama had a completely different dynamic. Most Black people didn’t really support him because they really supported Hillary Clinton until he won in Iowa. Once we realized that White people would vote for (Obama), we said that he had a good chance of making it and so let’s get behind him. It was Black people that propelled Harold and White people said that he’s got all this solid Black support and let’s get onboard.
Citizen: Do you think that both Harold and Obama helped unite the Black community into supporting one candidate? Muwakkil: Harold united Black Chicago like nobody has and nobody has done it since. Obama had a lot of Black support — almost unanimous Black support— because Black people saw that White people would vote for him and we had to do everything we could to help him win. Harold had this Black support because he simply inspired Black loyalty. Harold and Obama were working in different stadiums. Barack had a much wider stadium and many more considerations to make and potential pitfalls than Harold and he had to be more careful. Anything that hinted that he would be an angry Black man—that would have done (Obama) in. Now Harold was often pictured and relished as the angry Black man to let you know that we’re not going to take it anymore in Chicago and that really inspired Black people. They had different playing fields. Harold Washington performed well on his playing field and Barack Obama performed exceedingly well on his to get through it all. Citizen: How would you compare the campaign styles of Obama and Washington?
Muwakkil: There are some similarities. I did a book on Harold Washington called “Harold: Photographs from the Harold Washington Years,” with Antonio Dickey and Marc PoKempner. In one of the pictures, we have a photograph of Harold Washington where he was at the Hilton. It was during the vote primary (sic) and he was watching the vote count process in a suite where a group of White progressives and many of those same ones who were in that photograph were essential in the Barack Obama campaign. In many ways, Obama appealed to those same kinds of White progressive constituencies that Harold Washington appealed to…We have [an] excerpt where Obama talked about his first exposure to people talking about Harold Washington in his barber shop and how he saw in their faces and gestures and voices…he understood just how Harold Washington inspired the Black community.
Citizen: Do you think Obama soaked in some of what Harold did in regards to his own campaign? Muwakkil: Yeah. I think that’s why he came to Chicago essentially is because the city is really the Black political capital of America. He understood that Harold Washington was the embodiment of that and he absorbed that very carefully. Citizen: Do you think that Obama would have commanded the support he would have gotten if he were running for president in 1983 or 1987 when Washington ran for Mayor? Why or why not?
Muwakkil: No, no, it wouldn’t have worked. This country wasn’t mature enough racially to accept that kind of candidacy from a Black man. The field hadn’t been plowed yet. (Rev). Jesse (L. Jackson) and others helped plow that field. Jesse’s campaign in 1984 and 1988 was the beginning of a serious quest for White House power for Black politicians. We’ve often forget how popular Jesse Jackson was especially in his 88’ campaign. He attracted a lot of White votes and won the Michigan primary. He was formidable. I think that plowed the field for someone like Barack Obama to run.
Citizen: According to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission, Obama’s campaign raised more money in the first quarter of 2008 at over $133 million than in 2007 at $103 million. By the General Election, he raised a total of more than $650 million. Obama attributed this to the use of collecting donations from private donors rather than the use of public campaign funds. Obama has broken all fundraising records of previous presidential campaigns. How do you think this will change the face of future presidential campaigns, or better yet any political campaign?
Muwakkil: I’m a little wary of the precedent this may set because one of the longstanding demands of the progressive political movement in this country is to take money out of politics. When you have a politician who is disproportionately wealthy, they have an advantage and so money becomes an advantage and it perpetuates privileges. The progressive movement has always been urging the government to become less dependent on political fundraising. On the other hand, a whole new paradigm has been created through the Internet (because) it can reach deeper into political constituencies…than we ever had been able to reach before. Small donors can contribute and have as much of an impact as large donors. This may in fact be fulfilling the argument of conservatives who have argued that political donations are like freedom of speech. The conservatives say if you limit the amount of money you can donate, you’re actually limiting the freedom of speech of someone’s political allegiance. Technology has equalized things in ways we haven’t expected.
Citizen: How would you describe Obama and Washington’s campaign styles as far technology is concerned?
Muwakkil: The fundraising expertise that was demonstrated by the Obama campaign was astounding. That notion of going to the Internet and cultivating small donors who can continue to provide increments of funding here and there whenever necessary, that was an amazing insight. The idea of [the] community organizing model from the bottom up, which is how the campaign used its campaign office, was also an innovation that can be attributed to the Obama campaign and perhaps his community organizing experience…
Citizen: How do you see Harold’s legacy in Obama?
Muwakkil: Obama realized that he had to broaden his campaign beyond the parochial concerns of the Black community, but Harold did the same thing. A lot of people were angry at Harold because he wanted to be fair. I think that is one of the lessons that Senator Obama learned. He had to craft a progressive platform that could attract Blacks and Whites, not necessarily on issues of race, but on issues on political fairness and social justice.
Citizen: What if anything, will this mean for a new generation of leaders?
Muwakkil: It eliminates the mental barrier that many of our people [have] concerning the notion of accomplishment. It opened the road on their aspirations and (Obama) proved to many folks that you could succeed, if you simply had the right formula. That’s always been our problem (with Black people) because we act as though we don’t have that ability…and what Barack Obama does is that he demonstrates to us that we can apply ourselves and succeed.
South Suburban Mayors, Elected Officials Endorse Congressman Jackson for U.S. Senate
Posted on 20. Nov, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
Left photo: (Pictured left to right): Interim Mayor Andre Ashmore (Matteson); Mayor Al McCowan (University Park); Mayor Rick Reinbold (Richton Park); and Mayor Dwight Welch (Country Club Hills) along with Hazel Crest Mayor Robert Donaldson (right photo) said Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (center photo) would be a great choice for U.S. Senate because he mirrors the image and reflects the agenda of President-elect Barack Obama.
by Lesley R. Chinn
While Gov. Rod Blagojevich is still making up his mind about whom to select to succeed Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, a group of South suburban mayors and other elected officials came together to endorse Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (2nd District) to take the seat.
At a press conference last Saturday in Country Club Hills, the group hoped to send a message to the Governor about why they think the Congressman should be selected. “We’re here to influence the decision process by saying that we believe we have a superior candidate from this congressional district that could represent the entire state of Illinois,” said Country Club Hills Mayor Dwight Welch.
“He’ll be a wonderful spokesman for Illinois,” Welch continued. “He’ll help get the economic stimulus going for our state,” he said. “There’s no question. He’s very electable.”
If Congressman Jackson is appointed, he’ll have to serve out the remainder of Obama’s term which ends in 2010. At that time, whoever is selected, would have to campaign for the office in order to retain the seat.
Hazel Crest Mayor Robert Donaldson added that Jackson’s agenda mirrors President-elect Obama’s. “He [Jackson] has the same attitude and respect for President Obama,” Donaldson stated.
South Chicago Heights Mayor David Owen described the Congressman as “young, vibrant, and energetic,” while Richton Park Mayor Rick Reinbold added that Jackson has only missed two votes during his entire seven-year tenure. He expressed confidence in his ability to serve the Southland well in the Senate. “It would be a great asset for the people of Illinois,” he said.
As a member of the House Appropriations committee, Olympia Fields Mayor Lindsey Fields said Jackson has brought home more than $600 million in various projects statewide that have gone towards infrastructure projects; colleges and universities; housing and health care programs; and police and firefighter grants. “He will hit the ground running in the Senate and we know that he will be a great leader in supporting the initiatives of our president both domestically and internationally,” Fields stated.
While East Hazel Crest represents the smallest South suburb, it is part of a diverse 2nd Congressional District that includes the Far South side of Chicago and South suburban Cook County in addition to portions of Will County. “Congressman Jackson does not just work with Democrats, he works with Republicans, Independents, business, labor, old, young, city and suburbs. He represents and works for a very diverse community and we expect that work will continue as he represents the State of Illinois,” stated East Hazel Crest Mayor Thomas Brown.
Rich Township Committeeman Tim Bradford spoke on behalf of state Rep. Al Riley (D-38) who could not be in attendance. In a released statement, Riley said, “Congressman Jackson has been one of the most effective members of the Illinois Congressional delegation since his election in 1995. His effectiveness has been made manifest by his commitment to local and regional economic development, human capital enhancement and equity in all modes of transportation. There are very few people who could travel the length and breadth of this state, espousing issues of public policy that are germane to each region,” he said.
South Holland Mayor Don De Graff, who also issued a statement in support of Congressman Jackson, added, “I have been privileged to work closely with Congressman Jackson on many regional initiatives. He has been a model legislator and a tireless champion for his diverse district, as well as for our state as a whole. His support of regional initiatives such as the third airport and the Southeast Metra line will benefit not only his constituents, but all of Illinois,” he said.
When asked about news reports of the Governor possibly appointing himself to the U.S. Senate seat, the group had no comment and reiterated support for Jackson. In response to questions about what could possibly happen to the Congressman’s seat if he is appointed, Welch and University Park Mayor Al McCowan said that it’s unknown as to who would take the Congressman’s seat, however, they added that the Governor would probably go through the same process in terms of appointing someone to replace Jackson.
FEMA and SBA Urge Residents to Apply for Disaster Relief Before December 2nd Deadline
Posted on 19. Nov, 2008 by admin in Community Focus
by Lesley R. Chinn
Bonny Wright (left), a spokesman for the Small Business Association (SBA) of the United States, and Kim Anderson, a spokesman for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stopped by the Citizen recently to get the message about how residents could apply for disaster relief assistance.
The state of Illinois and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Association (SBA) are currently teaming up to provide disaster relief assistance. They announced that assistance is available between now and December 2.
With only 13 days left to qualify for assistance, the two groups are encouraging people to take advantage of funding as a result of the Presidential declaration, which was requested in October by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, due to the Hurricane-Ike related flooding in September. Assistance is available in disaster-designated areas within Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, La Salle and Will Counties.
As of November 17, more than $41.7 million of federal assistance had been approved for over 38,858 of Illinois residents and 35,457 Cook County residents, according to FEMA officials. FEMA also reported that more than 2,628 people visited the Oak Forest Disaster Recovery Center located at Oak Forest Hospital on 15900 S. Cicero and there were 322 visits at the Albany Park Recovery Center located at Northeastern Illinois University’s Physical Education Building on 3600 W. Foster.
While FEMA does not provide loans, grants are available up to $30,300 to help with disaster related expenses such as repairing a home, renting a temporary place, if your home cannot be in you due to the storm and repairing or replacing lost personal property, said Kim Anderson, a FEMA spokesman.
When people come to register, they should come with the address of the damaged property; social security number; homeowners’ insurance and their telephone number. AFEMA inspector will then make a site visit to inspect the property free of charge, Anderson stated. FEMA will determine what benefits residents qualify for based on the information they provide. Anyone who needs assistance in Cook County must now call 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) for more information or questions. They can also visit: www.fema.gov for details.
For business assistance, applicants can go to the SBA. Disaster loans are available for up to $2 million for repairs or replacements of damaged or destroyed property, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets. Economic Injury Disaster Loans are available only to small businesses and most private non-profit organizations to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster.
For homeowners or renters who are underinsured, they can qualify for a SBA low-interest loan for up to $200,000 for structural damage on their homes. For damaged or destroyed personal property including vehicles, applicants can qualify for loans up to $40,000. “Some people like to wait closer to the deadline, but we are encouraging them not to procrastinate. A lot of people are missing out on an opportunity, but the sooner they (get assistance) the better,” said Bonny Wright, an SBA spokesman. SBA disaster assistance information is available by calling 800-659-2955, or by visiting SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance.
Funeral Services to be Held for Morgan D. Carter “The World’s Conversation Starter”
Posted on 19. Nov, 2008 by admin in Community Focus
Morgan D. Carter
Morgan D. Carter “The World’s Conversation Starter” Died Sunday, November 16th. He was released last Friday from Ingalls Hospital after being treated for chest pains.
A viewing will be held on Friday, November 21 at the Robey Park Manor Funeral Home, 2510 Chicago Road in Chicago Heights from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The wake for Carter will be held on Saturday, November 22 at the House of Prayer Church, 3535 W. Roosevelt Rd with a viewing at 10 a.m. The funeral will immediately follow at 11 a.m. The burial will be held after the funeral at Mt. Hope Cemetery, 11500 S. Fairfield.
Carter was a motivational speaker; radio/TV/Internet host; producer; voiceover professional; and spokesman. He was known as “The World’s Conversation Starter” because he is a Black talk radio and TV host having had shows on WVON-AM; WGCI-FM, V103-FM, WSSD-FM, WBEE-AM. WGCR Web Satellite Radio, WCFJ-1470AM and WBGX 1570AM.
During his tenure, Morgan also hosted many other radio and cable TV programs including the Chicago Media Connection on channel 19 and special features. He helped to assemble the first all black male audience for the Phil Donahue Show in the late 70’s. Mr. Carter was a part of a television marketing team which placed positive images of African Americans, Hispanics, Natives, and Asian Americans throughout the nation on TV and cable networks serving over 20 million households. Morgan Carter has received a number of honors and citations including a nomination in Who’s & Who in America.
He was frequently sought after as a Motivational Speaker, Professional and Personal Development Facilitator also and a Humorous Master of Ceremonies. The Worlds Conversation Starter served as a Media Counsel for the Chicago Local Organizing Committee of the Million Man March and since he performed in that capacity beginning in September of 1995, he has handled over 550 inquiries, interviews and debates regarding the October 16, 1995 Million Man March. Morgan Carter has provided Media, Public, Political and Government relations counsel and assistance to many entrepreneurs, news personalities, entertainment, professional athletes, local, national, international, politicians, and statesmen through a variety of network services and venues including channel Straight Talk Program.
The Morgan Memos hosts a series of forums and functions which will increase client visibility amongst media, business outlets, representatives, politicians, religious leaders, community advocates, social service agencies as well as consumers. Carter is a rare breed who’s seen, heard and read about on local cable TV, regular TV, radio, newspapers as well as the Internet. Morgan developed The Morgan Memos on the World Wide Web to provide media advisories and briefings to more than 40 media outlets and to many key VIP’s and business executives. The Worlds Conversation Starter ensures that important news, views, and trends concerning African Americans are disseminated across the nation and around the world. Morgan Carter was married to Wanda Armstrong Carter, who produced all of Morgan’s TV programs.
West Side Black Elected Officials Support Davis for U.S. Senate
Posted on 19. Nov, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-7)
by Dwayne T. Ervin
While suburban Mayors and other elected officials were endorsing Congressman Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (2nd District) in the South suburbs for U.S. Senate, West Side officials recently came together to show support for Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-7) as the best candidate to fill the U.S. Senate seat left vacant by President-elect Barack Obama.
West Side Black Elected Officials (WBEO) met at the former Sears building and endorsed Davis, citing reasons why they feel he is the best candidate for the position. During the event, Davis’work to pass legislation in DC for ex-offenders who have been given a second chance, including men who went to jail because they could not pay child support, was highlighted. “Instead of taking the whole person’s paycheck for back child support, they work out a payment plan where the person gets to keep some of their money,” Davis stated. “They do not have money left on their paycheck, which makes them reluctant to work,” he added.
“This is a day for which I have been preparing all of my life,” Davis said. “I am pleased that so many of my fellow elected officials, clergy, staff, friends, community leaders and neighbors have joined in to let Governor Blagojevich and the citizens of Illinois know that you would like to have me represent you in the U.S. Senate. I am humbled by your presence and appreciate it very much,” he said.
“In Congress, I have been one of its most effective members in getting original bills passed. I have teamed up with Republicans like J.C. Watts, Jim Talent, Richard Burr, Tom Osborne, Rob Portman, Chris Conner and John Shimbus, Jerry Wexler, Tim Johnson, and others to draft,” and successfully pass legislation, Davis said.
“We know that health care reform will continue to be at the forefront as one of the single most important issues that President-elect Barack Obama will address during his presidency. Health care reform is the single most critical issue facing not only African-Americans and other minorities but all Americans today; second only to the economy. With forty-five (45) million Americans uninsured; health care reform has never been more needed in this country as it is today, considering the economic crisis and fallout that we are all facing,” commented Cook County Commissioner Robert Steele (2nd District) in a release.
Alderman Emma Mitts, Chairman of the Chicago-based West Side Black Elected Officials said, “he [Davis] is a seasoned legislator who understands and embraces change, has a solid record of achievement and consistently displays a unique ability to advance policies critical to the future growth of Illinois — from the middle class and the disadvantaged, to minority and immigrant communities, labor, and the struggling corporate business sector. In these times of massive economic uncertainty, the stakes have never been higher. The leadership we send to the United States Senate must understand the will of the people and fight for the needs of the people, and Congressman Danny K. Davis is the right person for the job of U.S. Senator,” she said.
WBEO is an association of local, Black elected officials in Illinois and was founded in 2008 for the purpose of promoting the advancement and development of African-American legislators and elected officials. Their mission is to elevate the quality of, as well as access to, a wide range of issues including social, economic development, health care, public safety and other services rendered to urban and suburban, minority and middle-income communities of working families.
Blagojevich to Decide Who Succeeds Obama in the U.S. Senate
Posted on 12. Nov, 2008 by admin in Community Focus, Global News
Two Congressmen and state veteran’s director among possible contenders
by Dwayne T. Ervin
Now that Barack Obama has been elected President, there has been some speculation brewing recently on his replacement in the U.S. Senate.
“Our next Senator has big shoes to fill. Because it’s important that the best person for Illinois is selected, I want to be clear that the calendar won’t dictate our search. Instead I want to ensure that Obama’s successor will understand and fight for the needs of average Illinoisans,” Governor Rod Blagojevich said in a released statement.
According to the 17th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, Blagojevich has the authority to make the appointment for Obama’s vacancy. He would have to make a temporary appointment until the people fill the vacancy by election, as the legislature may direct.
“Blagojevich wants someone who will work with his administration to achieve his shared goals of ensuring access to affordable healthcare, rebuilding Illinois’ infrastructure, improving the economic security and livelihoods of Illinois workers and caring for the most vulnerable,” Ridgway stated. He also wants the candidate to prioritize the average Illinoisan who is too burdened by taxes and economic hardship.
Blagojevich did not reveal who he has in mind to fill the vacancy. “The governor will be speaking with a number of people and looking at different qualifications in the next couple of weeks to pick the best qualified candidate. It is important that we have a qualified person for working Illinoisans. It is going to be a timely process,” added Blagojevich spokesman Katie Ridgway.
Illinois Department of Veterans Director Tammy Duckworth and Congressmen Danny Davis (D-7) and Jesse L. Jackson Jr. (D-2) are among the possible contenders, who weighed in on the U.S. Senate vacancy.
“It is good to be a member of the House,” said Congressman Danny K. Davis (D-7). “If I was asked to fill Obama’s vacancy, I would not say no.”
“I have been very focused on my current position fighting to improve benefits for the state’s Veterans and their families,” said Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Director Tammy Duckworth. “My goal is to continue to serve my country in the best way possible.”
“Like Barack, Jesse Jr. also would be one of the youngest members of the US Senate, meaning he is young enough to serve long enough to build up seniority in the Senate, which over time would be beneficial to Illinois residents. (Jesse Jr. would be the youngest member of the Senate,)” Rick Bryant spokesman for Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-2), said in a statement.
Blagojevich has to select someone before the end of December to fulfill Obama’s remaining six-year term which ends in 2010.
