Neighborhood News November / December 2009 1 Sheffield Neighborhood News
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Sheffield Neighborhood News November / December 2009 1 Sheffield Neighborhood News Published by the Sheffield Neighborhood Association www.sheffieldneighborhood.org November / December 2009 Residents, officials speak at Town Hall meeting ground both in the public and private sector with the BY TED WROBLESKI City of Chicago and most recently with AON Insurance heffield residents were given an opportunity to Company. She noted her background in dealing with hear from a number of their elected represen- finance and budgetary issues. She indicated her inten- tatives at a “Town Hall” meeting on October tion to run in the next election and stated that, if she S20. The meeting was held in Room 108 of is elected, she will leave AON, where she is currently the McGowan Environmental Science and Chemis- employed. Ms. Gainer discussed the problems with try Building at DePaul University. The SNA delivered the Cook County budget, noting that she sided with the notices door to door throughout the neighborhood and Commissioners who have tried to roll back the sales tax by email to the entire SNA membership. Attendees increase that has given Cook County the highest sales tax heard from State Representative John Fritchey, County in the nation. She also took questions from the audience Board Commissioner Bridget Gainer, 43rd Ward Alder- and addressed the complaints about taxes and the lack man Vi Daley, 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack, of control over expenses by county government, includ- and Kim Walz from the office of Congressman Michael ing a question about whether Cook County was actually ARMITAGE EL STATION WINS PRESERVATION EXCEL- LENCE AWARD — Each year, the Commission on Chi- Quigley. (See article on page 3 about who represents insolvent and should declare bankruptcy! Commissioner cago Landmarks presents its Chicago Landmark Awards Sheffield.) SNA President Laury Lewis moderated the Gainer drew upon her finance background to explain that for Preservation Excellence to outstanding examples of meeting. the county was not bankrupt on a year-to-year basis and improvements to designated landmarks and properties Representative Fritchey spoke first, discussing the that although it has a number of long-term obligations, within Chicago landmark districts. Since its establishment current budget crisis in Springfield and its impact on Cook County’s pension obligations were relatively well in 2003, the Armitage-Halsted Landmark District has had state-financed programs and taxes. He expressed his funded, especially compared to the state and other units at least one property within the district recognized each opposition to the use of revenue from the legalization of government. year. The Chicago Transit Authority received one of 17 of video poker machines as a way to finance the capital The aldermen spoke next. Alderman Daley spoke Preservation Excellence Awards presented this year at a expenditure bill that was recently passed by the legis- about some of the recent developments affecting the 43rd September 3 ceremony at the Palmer House Hilton. The award was presented for the rehabilitation and restoration lature. He also discussed the pension burden faced by Ward. She noted that the committee that she sponsored of the Armitage Elevated Station in connection with the the state and talked about some measures that he has with regard to the future of the Children’s Memorial Hos- CTA’s Brown Line renovation project. The project included supported to put a halt to some of the more egregious pital property has recently issued its report about what the restoration of the historic station house, the repair and aspects of the pension program, such as double-dip- the community would like to see happen with this site. replacement of new railings and lighting fixtures, and the ping, calculating pensions on the basis of highest sala- (See article in this issue of SNN). She also spoke about effort to save the remaining portion of the building at 939 ries rather than average salaries, and early retirement the upcoming meeting with developers who hope to W. Armitage. eligibility. Fritchey noted that he intends to leave the convert the now-vacant Lincoln Park Hospital site into a 43rd Ward Alderman Vi Daley and members of the legislature and run for the County Board Commissioner multi-use project, with residential and commercial com- Armitage-Halsted Landmark District Community Advisory seat now occupied by Forrest Claypool, since Mr. Clay- ponents. She also spoke about the DePaul Master Plan, Committee (which includes a representative of SNA) were invited to the ceremony to recognize the efforts of the pool has decided to leave political office for the private which is now under review by the city. She noted that CTA in helping to enhance the distinctive character of this sector. Fritchey took a number of questions from the the future of the Finkl Steel site is another issue of con- landmark district. Others present included David Mosena, audience, including complaints about high real estate cern for the neighborhood. Among the questions from Chairman of the Chicago Commission on Landmarks and property taxes, the possibility of an income tax increase the audience were several about the future of the post Patricia A. Scudiero, Commissioner of the Department of and other topics of concern. office at Sheffield and Fullerton. Rumors abound that this Zoning and Land Use Planning. Commissioner Bridget Gainer spoke next. She facility will be closed, but Alderman Daley has indicated introduced herself as she has only recently been ap- that she has been in discussions with U.S. Postal Service pointed to her position on the County Board, replacing officials and that no such decision has been made. She Alderman Waguespack also talked about the ongo- Commissioner Michael Quigley upon his election to would like the post office to stay at this location, as did ing challenge of obtaining city services in the ward, Congress. Commissioner Gainer spoke of her back- members of the audience. She would not be opposed particularly with layoffs and furlough days affecting to the transfer facility on Clark Street being moved to city employees. He stressed his ongoing effort to have another location, however, possibly somewhere on the potholes filled and to meet other ward service needs. SNA Spaghetti Dinner Finkl site. Furthermore, the rumor that the landlord, He announced that he has hired a new person in his DePaul University, would like the post office to move is office, a former employee of the Water Department, set for November 21 not true. DePaul has indicated that it would like the post whose task will be to concentrate on obtaining better ePaul University’s Cortelyou Commons, office to stay at this location. With its location near the city services for the 32nd Ward. 2324 N. Fremont, will once again host Fullerton el station and convenience for senior citizens Kim Walz from Congressman Quigley’s office spoke the Sheffield Neighborhood Association’s and students alike, the Fullerton/Sheffield location is ideal last. She explained that the Congressman could not Dannual Spaghetti Dinner. Save the date for postal services. be there in person, but he was in Washington work- — Saturday, November 21 — for this longstand- Alderman Waguespack spoke about developments in ing on the health care insurance reform legislation ing neighborhood tradition that brings friends and the 32nd Ward and the upcoming city budget. He noted and other issues. She mentioned that Mr. Quigley neighbors together for a relaxed evening of food, that he was one of the opponents of the controversial was familiar with many of the local issues discussed beverages, music, an auction, and family fun. The privatization of the parking meters. He explained how by the prior speakers from his experience on the Cook event will be held from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Tickets, the yearly parking meter revenue was no longer avail- County Board. She noted the Congressman’s support which will be available at the door, will be $6 for able for the city budget and that the private owners were for President Obama’s efforts to reform health care. She adults and $4 for children and seniors. Food and able to significantly increase the revenue taken from the also noted his opposition to the effort of some congress- beverages are included in the ticket price. For more meters. The payment received from the 75-year lease of men to add funding for additional F-22 fighter aircraft to information, visit www.sheffieldneighborhood.org the meters can be used for the current budget, but those the defense budget, even though the president and the or call 773-929-9255 or send an email to sheffield- funds were meant as a reserve over the term of the lease defense department thought they were unneeded. The [email protected]. and could soon be depleted over the next few years. Continued on page 3 Get involved with Remembering SNA, local gardeners Children’s Memorial the newly formed Rochelle Lee receive City of Chicago re-use study 2 park advisory councils 3 —Sheffield’s Schools 4 landscaping awards 6 is now available 2 Sheffield Neighborhood News November / December 2009 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Get involved with park advisory councils BY LAURY LEWIS BY LAURY LEWIS of generating revenue to fund the purchase of equipment, additional programming or other s another year comes to an end, the he Sheffield Neighborhood Association (SNA) is improvements. Sheffield Neighborhood Association pleased to announce that Park Advisory Coun- The benefits of a PAC include: Board of Directors is already thinking cils (PACs) have been formed for both Trebes 1. Recognition as an organization that can Aabout 2010. The year 2009 was a year of Park and Clover Playlot. SNA has contributed effectively relate the community’s goals and significant changes in Sheffield.