South Street Journal News serving and for: Grand Boulevard (Bronzeville), Douglas, Oakland, Kenwood, Woodlawn, Washington Park, Hyde Park, Near South, Gap, Fuller Park, Armour Volume 2 Number 5 December 1-14,1994 Gardner address Freedom Organizing the Vote: 1995 Now Center members, salute to Harold Mayoral Exploration Congressman Rush Withdraws from Race By Christopher Moore For Unity." strength within the African-American SSJ Staff Writer As U.S. Representative Bobby L. Community. On February 28, 1995 Chicago voters Rush announced at a news conference Published news reports characterize the will once again fill the ballot booths to that he will not seek election to the response from the Atty. General Burris' choose the next Mayor to head the city. office of Mayor of the City of Chicago. explaratory commitee, headed by Lou Believing that the punch number they Rush stated "Unity is the paramount Palmer (Chairman of Chicago Black select, will help bring forth the ultimate principle" reason that guided his deci­ United Communities) and Rev. Al victory for the faithful. In a city divided sion. Rush further went on to "urge Sampson (Convener of the Coalition to by neighborhood/racial boundaries, is­ Attorney General Roland Burris to end Elect a Black Mayor, (which meets on sues like crime, his campaign immediately and join this Friday nights at Liberty Baptist Church employment, united effort to elect Joe Gardner." 48th & King Dr.) and designed to test housing etc... are Joseph E. Gardner, commissioner of the voter appeal for a Burris run for mayor, usually the head­ Water Reclamation District of the City of was one of "disbelief and "defiance" to line issues that Chicago, is now one of three remaining Rush and Gardner setting the agenda for begin a political African Americans contenders, the other African-American citizens of Chicago. campaign. In the two being Atty. General Burris and However speaking to South Street Jour­ SSJ Photo by Hilbert Sandifer African-American Sheila Jones, along with Jones is an nal, the Rev. Al Sampson stood solidly Water Reclamation, Commissioner Joseph Gardner stands with community there officially announced candidates from the on the "principle of unity." Stating that members of the Freedom Now Center on 63rd and Cottage at a "This is a greater Black community. In commenting on the "Roland Burris has three rules: 1) Will One for Harold" ceremony honoring the life of former Mayor Harold agenda shaping endorsement - he received from Rush, not run against an African-American Washington on the day of his deaft. November 25,1987. up to be the focus Gardner extended thanks and said, "I candidate. 2) Will not split the commu­ Congressman of this mayoral commend Congressman Rush for taking nity with negative campaigning, and 3) Water Reclamation District nal publisher Ron Carter. Bobby Rush Commissioner, and mayoral The event was hosted by Paul campaign-"A. Cry this crucial step to promote unity and continued on page 3 candidate Joseph Gardner was Oliver, and FNC director guest of honor at a memorial Dino McNeal, (who is a held in honor of late Mayor prospective 20th ward alder- Harold Washington hosted by manic candidate). Del Ray Farms backs down on the Freedom Now Center Many of the participants (FNC) in the Woodlawn wore Harold Washington's community. 1983 campaign buttons, Purchase of Supreme building Also a speaker at the cere­ Gardner praised Harold mony was South Street Jour­ Washington as his mentor. "I continued on page J1 Former HUD Director Prospect to purchase Hotel on 43rd Street (Developing in the Mid-South area for 10 years) By Beverly A. Reed, SSJ writer After debate to turn the the abandoned 400 E. 43rd Street . hotel (the recent victim of arson) into a Blues hotel subsided, the City Council is slated to grant acquisition of the building to Re­ development Services Corporation (RSC). With the backing of Alderwoman Dorothy Tillman (3) and Congressman Bobby Rush, Ronald Gatton, owner of RSC is to utilize the building for senior housing. Congressman Rush was enthusiastic in his approval of the acquisition, stating, "I have always supported any efforts to pro­ vide affordable housing in the community, especially for our se­ nior residents. This is a very worthwhile project initiated by a very community orientated business person." He continued to say, Pictured above, in 1946 Supreme Life information" to the Commission on Chicago of the original "Black Metropolis", created "This building has been a vacant eyesore for a long time. Its started as the Liberty Life Insurance Co. of Historical and Architectural Landmarks, the along 35th to 37th streets on die east side Illinois by Frank L. Gillespee. Libert/ was the firm "merged with two out-of-state firms to of State Street, the reality and image of die redevelopment is in good hands, Gatton has a good track record", first black-owned insurance firm in the he concluded. form Supreme Life and Casualty Co." The Supreme Life building soon reignited and north. The company was founded with the actual building was erected in 1921 but by surpassed the dreams of the original State Alderwoman Till­ intention of insuring African Americans at a 1924 Liberty, spurred by the incredible Street location. The name was taken from a man who was un­ time when white controlled insurance firms black-on-black growth, had purchased the, celebrated study on black Chicago by St. available for com­ refused blacks any coverage. In 1929, 35th and (Grand Boulevard/South Park) Clair Drake and Horace R. Cayton. ment, has supported according to the 1984 "Black Metropolis King drive building outright die report said. the development of Historic District: preliminary summary of Although started at the end of the hay-day affordable senior By Charles Taylor plans for development." Farms could not be reached housing at this loca­ SSJ Writer Haithcock announced at a for further comment. tion from the onset of Del Ray Farms ceased its recent weekly Community "In my opinion Del (Ray) the debates. She is bid for the historic black- Meeting held at the Hartzell Farms decision to withdraw ' reportedly backing owned now defunct Memorial United Methodist is a victory for the commu­ Gatton on this project Supreme Life and Casualty Church, 3330 S. King nity and for Mid-South (which is awaiting Co. Insurance building ac­ Drive. Planning and Development . city council'approval cording to an announcement Del Ray Farms develop­ Commission (MSPDC)", for acquisition) as by Alderwomen Madeline ment plans included razing said Harold L. Lucas, Co­ she has supported Haithcock (D-2nd). Al­ the now vacant building and ordinator for MSPDC's him in many other though "there has been no replacing it with 11,000- Black Metropolis Project. housing projects in community concessions...it square foot store with park­ MSPDC wants the structure the third ward for the (the dispute) has been re­ ing area to sale vegetables, designated for landmark past ten years. Al­ solved. (Del Ray Farms) fruits, meats, and fish while status and eventually refur­ dermen influence the will forgo their options and employing 40-people. bished into what will be the designation of CAPP will not proceed with their Spokesperson for Del Ray Harold Lucas continued on page 4 Building at 43rd and King Drive continued on page IT Page 12 December 1 - 14,1994 South Street Journal Community Briefs according to Consumer Services Commissioner Caroline Orzac Stephanie Mills to star in Fox 32 Shoenberger. Consumer Services has specially trained staff to ood community leaders always mend their APOSTOLIC CHURCH investigate complaints concerning landlords who fail to return I • misunderstandingsences. Hint, K Christmas Special at security deposits, fail to pay interest on security deposits, fail to turn V^/X-— Washington and C Butler. OF GOD. One of Chcago's largest churches, in the Woodlawn over promised apartments, fail to make necessary repairs, or Helen Y. Latimore, candidate for the 20th Ward community, the Apostolic Church of landlords who rent the same apartment to more than one tenant. has the likes of Rev. Al Sampson, (a convener of God will host Gramy Award winner Tenants who may have been the victim of rent fraud are urged to Stephanie Mills and members of the the Committee to Elect a Black Mayor), file a complaint with the Department of Consumer Services by Chicago Symphonietta performing with Professionor Robert Storks andAtty. Robert calling 744-9400, TDD: 744-9385 (for hearing impaired). Anderson. Word is, the Chicago Dept. of Housing the church's 200-voice choir in its employee had the backing of the late former 20th annual Christmas concert, "Christmas December 4,1969 - The Ward committeeman, Cecil Partee, and she got a Glory," on Saturday, December 10, lots of money. Spending some of it outside of the 1994 at 7:00 p.m. The concert which Anniversary of the will be held in the Apostolic Church of 20th ward on Dec. 3 at TJ's Lounge and God's 4000 seat sanctuary located at Death of Fred Restaurant on 55th and So. Shore Drive for a fund 6320 S. Dorchester in Chicago, will be raiser. Also attempting to rope in the 20th taped for telecast on WFLD-FOX 32 Hampton. ward is Q.N. "Cowboy" Dawan (He's got to have TV at 9:00 a.m. on Christmas morning "They shot him in our bed. I was some long rope to reach Troutman) and hosted by its anchor, Robin laying right next to him... 8 months Meanwhile in the 3rd Ward, Antonio Chappell Bishop Arthur Brazier Robinson. Bishop Arthur Brazier, pregnant with Fred Jr." Words of had a "Midnight Bowl" fundraiser at The Akua Njeri, widow of Fred pastor of the Apostolic Church of God , said, "this concert will Hampton, describing the morning Globe Bowl Word is he raised more money than represent a message of joy and happiness as the whole Christian the leader of the Chicago Charter of the Black Panther Party was many churches on Sunday.