Hi y’all,
I’m back and I’m on fire. With everything going on locally, nationally and globally, it’s just too much.
On the home front, I’m very agitated with our leadership. As we approach the gubernatorial elections in November and the aldermanic elections in February 2015, I just want to remind you that you have the power to change things, and you need to exercise that power.
If you are unhappy with how things are going closer to home, consider firing your alderman. Read my article that was published in this week’s Chicago Independent Bulletin newspaper to learn at least six reasons why you should fire your alderman.
I like the article but the problem is most folks are honest with themselves.
1. How many residents attend a block club, community organization or townhall meeting in their ward? If you don’t attend why should your alderman?
2. Have you taken Politics 101- don’t understand that the alderman’s job is not to get your ratchet child a job, clean up your basement, or police your ratchet neighbors. Most talk about an alderman having vision but most African Americans want the status quo so they walk around and talk about how they got “props” with the Alderman.
3. Alderman are legislators and not baby sitters. They have staffs that handle service calls. Now that most services are pooled getting mad at the alderman because you “expect” them to know your street lights are out versus calling 311 is ludacris.
Worlee, I hear you about people attending the community meetings, but there are events where the alderman could show up to make like he or she cares. I also agree that it is not the alderman’s job to babysit the potholes, however, in some cases, they can speed up the process. I’m sure they would if they were impacted directly. Lastly, it is unfortunate that we talk about our “props” instead of holding them accountable for things they said they would do.
Great interview Shorty.
The interview caught my attention because with the election around the corner, I am concern that most aldermen are going to win due to popularity over substance. I won’t say I know what an alderman’s responsibilities are, but I damn well want to see community improvements such as neighborhood schools, businesses, creative job opportunities and services for young teenagers to work during the summer.
I experienced firsthand how the closing of a neighborhood school destroys a community. As a teenager, when the school in my community closed, families moved away and small businesses lost customers and eventually those businesses closed as well.
In closing, I want to ask the Aldermen; what can you do to help increase job opportunities for people who want to work? Are you willing to go to bat to provide our young youth an alternate to help prepare them to become positive citizens as they move forward after high school? You were voted to eyes, ears, and voice at the Mayor’s table. Your community needs your leadership. Communities don’t want a hand out; we need economic opportunities, not misguided excuses.