The Alderman seat in the 24th Ward seems to be a position which is in high demand. Out of the 23 people who had initially sought the position, currently 18 are still running the race and it is certainly a very competitive battle as each candidate has a very unique and interesting background which of course has much to contribute to the 24th Ward. But who can complete the job? Who will include everyone? Who is more concerned about the future of our youth who are indeed the builders of today and tomorrow? Who's aim is to involve the youth in the political process? Who is willing to repair what has been so maliciously turn down? As we sit back and watch the race, each candidate would like you to know what they have to offer, as only one person will be chosen for this position based on the vote of the people. Just recently, I interviewed three of the 18 candidates and this is what they had to say:
My name is Melissa Williams, and I am a 32 year old Attorney---my interest are focused on public service and my community. I am apart of "Operation 24," and 24 comes first. Although I love my city, as a piece of the puzzle I have to get "24" together. I have been at work trying to uplift my community every since I was a little girl. When I was 16 years old Chandler was the Alderman and he would always give meetings and I would always attend. I was very excited about the change that I knew would come to my community. As time went on, I saw my community get worst and this is what made me want to do something about it. So, I moved on and got my Bachelors degree in Political Science from Bradley University in Peoria, IL. I knew that I would be a lawyer since the age of 8, so my next step was to attend John Marshal Law School and get my J. D., but his was not it. Because of my love for my community and my people I moved forward in helping my community by connecting with local politicians and teaming up with them and their organizations to help make change. I am apart of Senator Ricky Hendon's organization "The Fighting Fifth," Congressman Danny Davis's organization "7th Congregational District of Young Democrats," and Commissioner Steele's organization "Greater West Side Community Coalition." I believe that in order to be a legislator you must know the law. And this is something that I do know. I want my constituents to know that I am the only person that Senator Ricky Hendon has endorsed, and the reason why is because he knows that I can get the job done. I have had the ability to work as a Associate Director with Heartland Alliance (CHA’s CabriniWorks Program) where I helped people in the process of being displaced---not be displaced. I helped them to stand up for their rights and find housing. I have also helped with an expungement program through the Cook County Government to help clean criminal records. I have done many things for my community and still I am doing much for my community, not just because I want to become Alderman but because I want to make my community better. When I become Alderman, I will fight for the education of the youth and make sure that the the Restoritaive Justice Circle method is used in order to make things better. I will make sure that the youth are apart of the political process and set up a parent, educator,student council. I want to be the voice for my people and give them a voice as well, and my ability to build true relationships will allow me to do this. I am a very respectful and resourceful person and for this reason, I can do nothing but give away my resources to the people.
If you have questions for Melissa contact her at chgo.op24@gmail.com or 773-960-9269
Hi, I'm Vetress Boyce, and yes I am a Boyce, we are all over the city of Chicago. I want to become Alderman of the 24th Ward because I believe an Alderman must be business minded and this is what I am. An Alderman should know the technicalities of a business and how it operates. I am not just local, or national in my doings but I am international and have a 23 year background in foreigh exchange and know what the people of the 24th Ward need. They need a person who is business minded, someone that could bring money into the community and clean it up. Without money, we can't do a thing and this is where I stand sure, because I know how to get the money into our community and do the right thing with it. I want to do what the people need to be done. I'm 46 years old and although I don't have a college degree I have a spiritual connecting, business mindset and the heart to change my community. I have always been a person that gets the job done. I don't talk to the middle man when it comes to taking care of business, I talk to the decision makers, and this is what I will do for the people of the 24th Ward. Yes, I'll be contacting President Obama, Pat Quinn, the Mayor, and anyone else that I need to contact for the 24th Ward. An Alderman to me is a navigator for the people, a voice for the people without having your own agenda. I want to give the power back to the people. I know how to bring the people together and this is what I do. An Alderman has to build boards and commissions--community development boards, senior boards, youth boards, infrastructure boards, real estate construction boards, housing boards, etc. and make sure that everyone from every precinct serve on each board and they are to become the voice and the decision making should be done by the people. You have to know how to market your community and this is what I will do. My job is to put homeless shelters out of business and to make sure that people are not in dire need of homeless shelters but they are educated on how to have shelter for themselves. I believe that when we have strong family structure, we have a strong community, and this is one of the key issues, the families in this community are broken. When you have a strong family structure, you have a strong community and when you have a strong community, it is then that we can secure the education and the future of the youth. I know the skills that are needed to compete based on life experience and I know what the children need to compete in this world and I will give it to them. I will not only help the youth and the education system I will also help the recidivism rate by bringing jobs into the community. My goals are for the people. It seems like I've waited all of my life to do what it is that I have always wanted to do, this position is just right for me to serve the poeple.
If you have any questions for Vetress contact her at vetressboyce24thward@yahoo.com or 773-257-7354
I'm Wilbert Cook, and I have been serving my community for many years. I am responsible for a 50% increase of employment in my community, the start up of "A Hand Up," recovery home and helping people to save tax dollars in my community. I am a start to finish type of person and when I start something, you best believe the job will get done. I want to be Alderman of the 24th Ward because I know the needs of the people. My mission is to change lives and save families. I know that I am the best candidate for this position because I have the most diverse background, and I already have a great relationship with the politicians here in Illinois. I plan to request a moratorium on closing the public schools in my community until there is a complete evaluation done on each school so that children are not forced out of their neighborhood schools. I will also set up more recovery programs for my community and grow grass-root programs. I will offer people who have suffered from substance abuse and recovered the ability to start their own programs to help the people in the community who are still suffering. I feel one of the number one problems is that their are so many agencies that come into our community that come from different places but will not hire the people from the community, this has to stop. My goal is to start a culture of recovery in our community, and make it an economic engine. I will bring investors into the community in order to help with the education system. As an Alderman, I will be a modern teacher who wears many hats. I can't just be the legislator, but I am willing to go the full mile. I feel that I am the only candidate that has a proven track record---I am willing to work with the homeless and those who are secure home owners. I have developed the most relationships with government officials to improve the life of the people and I will continue to build relationships for the 24th Ward. Another issue that I would like to solve is the issue of abandon buildings in my community. I would like to have an ordinance passed that will prohibit property owners from abandoning their buildings in our community. If a property owner has not re-developed their property within an 18 month time span it will be turned over to the community for positive change. These are only some of the positive goals that I have in mind for the people of the 24th Ward. I have a people agenda, not a personal agenda and this is why I know I am the perfect fit for the 24th Ward's Alderman.
If you have any questions for Wilbert contact him at electwilbertecooklll@gmail.com or 773-799-7126
With the diversity, skill, passion and the ability to serve---each candidate seem to have something to offer the 24th Ward. Most importantly they are focused on the youth and bettering the education system within their community. But who will be the best candidate, who has the complete package/strategy to clean up such a mess? According to Rickey Brown a veteran of the community, the 24th ward has been in horrifying condition since 1968 after the riots when Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. But the question from the community is why has it taken so long for someone to step up to the plate? And why hasn't anyone done anything since? Does it take political office in order to repair the community or just the cooperation of the people? What ever the case may be, the Alderman's seat is a position that will allow one to be the mediator for the people and this time, it must be done right. So, who do you choose, who will be the best candidate to serve the youth and the people of the 24th Ward----do your research and receive your answer.
Posted By: Talibah Bakhit
Tuesday, January 25th 2011 at 3:04PM
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