An Alderman is the liaison between local, state, and national government---he/she is the voice of the people. The person who stands up for the people of his or her community based upon the needs of the people in the community. So of course it is important for the person who is selected for this position to be honest, open, accountable, committed, transparent, compassionate, consistent, and accessible when it comes to the relationship of the Alderman and the people that he or she represents. Keeping the future of the youth, the condition of their community and most importantly, the education in their community first. But how does one do this for there community if they can't even live up to these standards in their own life? How does one clean up a community and their own life is messy and full of broken promises to self? Well, according to much of what has been the results of how the 24th Ward looks, and it's reputation, one would only come to the conclusion of disorder and chaos being apart of the plans of it's current and past representatives---without an adequate plan. However, the few candidates who showed up to January 24th NAACP's 24th Ward's Aldermanic candidate forum spoke with conviction and passion saying that ---"It's time for change, the time is now---to clean up the 24th Ward ." But who will be the chosen one to get the job done?
Valerie Leonard says: "I AM the best candidate for this position because my leadership is needed in the 24th Ward." Already I am active in church and voluntary works and I have been at this for over 20 years. This is not because I want to become Alderman, but because it's what I am suppose to do for my community. I love this community and was raised in this community. My voluntary works consist of a project that I have been working on for quite some time called "Policy on the ground" where I have a blog that I post city and state policies that are necessary for my community to understand. I also break down the information and give policy briefings in community workshops so that all can understand these policies in layman terms. Without my input, many people in my community would not have known anything about the TIFF dollars that can help build my community. The Lawndale Alliance is also apart of my voluntary works. As a leader for the alliance, I get residence from the community together to solve the many issues in my community. We discuss issues like education, foreclosures, TIFF dollars, and getting banks to reinvest in our community. The most important thing that need to be done for the 24th Ward is a plan. A plan that will create an economic base by bringing in jobs, and training for the workforce, bringing in large and small manufacturers, helping entrepreneurs with mom/pop stores, and focusing on high industry growth. My prior experience in large government shows that I am the right person to help put this plan together. A plan with and for the people that will give my Ward some economic relief. I have worked in New York City for the Deputy Mayor to help raise funds by selling bonds to help fulfill the city of New York's 10 year financial plan. I am also responsible for helping Mt. Sinai hospital receive $107 million to build it's emergency room, labor and delivery room and also helped Schwab Hospital build new additions as a Financial Analyst. This proves that I can get the funds that are needed into my community. With over 2500 vacant lots and buildings the funds are needed. I know this because I have personally done an assessment of the vacant lots and spoken with developers as apart of my voluntary work for my community. I will take a multi-level approach, involving my community, local, state and national government. I will talk to my Congressman to push the 10-20-30 formula to create job stability in my community. I will also be an advocate for change in the education curriculum in schools in order to prepare employees and students for the high growth industries that will be coming to my community. This will help people to be re-tooled for what is coming to the 24th Ward. I will make parents excited about learning with their children by demonstrating the "Community School Model," where the school becomes the center of the community and parents and students learn together side by side. It is my position to make sure that when developers come to my community that there is a written community agreement and community benefits, because in the pass the agreement because in the pass the agreements were only verbal. I am living proof of much change in my community and as the Executive Director of Lawndale Small Grants, I am responsible for that beautiful Lawndale African Garden that you see on 12th Place and Central Park. I am the best Aldermanic candidate and all of my works show this, I am ready to clean up the 24th Ward.
For more information on Valerie Leonard call 773-521-3137 or email her at valerieleonard@msn.com
My name is Wallace E. Johnson better known as Mickey. I am running for the 24th Ward's Alderman position because I can feel the pain of the people. I know that the people just want to be felt, and I will show them that I feel them and I care for them. I am going to change the 24th Ward. I don't believe in bad communities I believe that there are bad leaders and because the leadership has been bad thus far, this is the reason why the 24th Ward is in an economic depression today. My leadership capabilities make me stand out amongst the rest of the candidates. As a mentor for the Sheriff Alternative program, a prior NBA player for Chicago, Milwaukee, New Jersey and Indiana, and as well a first generation college student the ability to over come challenges and being an example of change is evident. My belief has always been---the difference between the amateur and the pro is that the amateur has to be set up to win and the pro will find away to win out of no way. A pro makes something out of nothing and that is what I will do for the 24th Ward. I'm not saying that the 24th Ward is nothing, but I am saying that there is a lot of work that needs to be done. It's all in the leadership, and we need one that could go out and share the vision with those who can help change the community and this is what I will do. I believe that the only way that we can do this as a community is to show that we have political power by working together. We must build a political army and show our political strength. I want to stop the isolation of the people and bring them together. We have to get to know each other in order to work together. People have lost faith because of so many disappointments, so they just cling on to what they have instead of us all helping one another. I will change that, I will change the mentalities of the people. I will make my people feel strong about themselves and help them understand the significance of spending money in their own community. I will work very closely with the grass-root organizations in the 24th Ward. I live right in the center of the Ward and have never left, I have lived here since 1957. It was only due to my professional career that I had to travel. However, I have always given back to my community by taking the young men in may neighborhood on field trips and teaching them through basketball or any other way that I could get to them. It is important to change the way that our children think and the only way to do this is by nourishing them with education. I will help change the mindsets by getting in to each school in the community and starting an advertising campaign that will help to grab their attention on issues like healthy eating and the importance of edcuation. We have to get down to the root of the problem when it comes to our children and once we find out what the problem is we can communicate it with the parents and help them if needed with parenting skills. I have been sharing my time voluntarily for many years. Every Tuesday at the Community Baptist church I pass out 99 cent meals, this is voluntary work that I do for my community. I am also responsible for helping to build the Homan Square YMCA. As a matter of fact on my block alone in the 24th Ward, 5 professional ball players were groomed. Darryl Stingling and Otis Armstrong who are both football players, Roy Sanders who is a baseball player and Linton Johnson and myself made it to the NBA. I will connect with people like my nephew Linton Johnson to help invest and give back to the community. I have the connections needs to gain financial stability for my Ward. It takes more than an Alderman to clean up a community. The community and all of the politicians need to do it from a state level and it's going to take more than one term to do it. I will inspire the people and get them the city services that they deserve. I don't know everything but I will surround myself with the people in the community and the right authorities that do know how to help me and my community solve the problems of the 24th Ward. And when I become Alderman, I am going to tell the people of my Ward to open up their windows and let the sunshine in.
For more information on Wallace E. Johnson call 773-265-8552 or email wej4alderman24th@sbcglobal.net
As we can see---each candidate has much to offer and much to do. And with the shift of political power, it is the belief of the people in the 24th Ward that change is certainly coming not only to the 24th Ward but to the city of Chicago in general. It is a known fact that the people of the 24th Ward are so fed up with the corruption and oppression that they are eager for change. But who will have the super power to mediate? Who will be the people's person for resolution and change. Only one will be chosen. But even when that one is chosen will the rest of the candidates continue to move forward in the fight to change the 24th Ward? I guess only time will tell.
Posted By: Talibah Bakhit
Monday, January 31st 2011 at 4:55PM
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