Quality of life in our community stems from the many facets of our community that make it livable-safety, cleanliness, good schools, good shopping and commercial areas, good housing stock, good transportation, access to the lake and parks, and the unique character of our community that is based on the people who live here. When I ask people why they like it here, they tell me it's because of the lake, the access to transportation and the great diversity of the area-the ethnic and cultural diversity as well as the diversity of means, of income levels. I believe that our community can be inclusive, open to and embracing the variety of cultures and means that give us our unique character.

Preserving and growing our community's quality of life is of immediate importance as our community continues to transition and we begin to see the erosion of many of the things we value. Traditional housing stock is at risk in some of our historic neighborhoods, families are finding it increasingly difficult to afford our community, and seniors are being forced to leave even after investing their entire adult lives building our community. Immigrant populations are moving away depleting our neighborhoods of the international texture that makes our local environment so enjoyable.

The best way to preserve the diversity, housing stock, and affordability for working families is through the preservation of affordable housing. When I talk about affordable housing, I don't mean only housing for poor people, although I believe that every community has an obligation to provide for its most marginalized citizens. Affordable housing is also a concern of the people who live in Lakewood-Balmoral who have seen their property values rise radically and could not afford to buy their own homes today. I also know people like Art and Rosa who live on Hollywood and bought a two-flat back in the late 60's for about $30,000. They may have to leave the community that they have lived in and help build for the past forty years because property taxes are growing exponentially while they are both moving toward fixed incomes. I do not believe that it is morally acceptable that a person should have to leave their home simply because another can pay more for it now. For 16 years our Alderman has resisted efforts that would allow for balanced, equitable development while pursing appropriate development too slowly.

By managing the change in the community intentionally, we can maintain the fabric of the community that we all enjoy. There are existing tools to encourage a balanced community of homeowners and renters, with high income, middle income and low-income housing. I believe there is room in our community for all these people and that the richness of our community derives from this great diversity. Local leadership cannot simply wait for the change to occur and tackle problems as they arise. We need a plan that captures the shared values of the community, to ensure development and change that is consistent with our values. The Edgewater Development Corporation has two concept plans for the Broadway Corridor which I would employ as the foundation for creating a vision for commercial and residential development in Edgewater. But currently these concepts are being ignored and the opportunities they envision are being lost.

We must create and maintain socially and economically diverse communities that have long-term stability through means that cause a minimum of transition cost that fall unfairly on low income households. Gentrification has created a greater mix of income in the community that has benefited many of us over the past 30 years. But the cost of gentrification, especially in terms of displacement, falls unduly hard on those least able to bear them. If development is to be equitable, if revitalization is going to have the support of the people living in our neighborhoods, if the outcomes of this change and revitalization is going to benefit more than just the people moving into the community-decision makers, especially locally elected officials, have to anticipate the harmful effects and take steps to mitigate them.

Tools exist to help manage development including real-estate transfer taxes to discourage 'flipping,' implement strong policies against slum lording, measuring local affordability by defining area median income within communities, encouraging and utilizing community mapping, creating economic benefits for low-income residents tying linkage payments to the communities that generate the payments, and others. The key is to be knowledgeable of the available tools in Chicago and use them and introducing legislation to create more tools. Cities such as Boston, San Francisco, ….have formally implemented many of these programs and policies to ensure that development and revitalization does not increase the burden on low-income people, minimizes displacement, and provides for dynamic community growth that benefits existing residents as well as newcomers.

Quality of life issues include transportation and commercial development, public safety and parks.

As a single man, I rarely felt unsafe on city streets, but when I was walking Alex near the corner of Winthrop and Winona and a group of young people who appeared to be selling drugs began to scatter...hiding things in the bushes and tearing down allies, I became afraid for my son. When six gun shots rang out in front of my house just moments after Alex and I got home from a walk on another night, I was afraid for his safety. We need more anti-gang and anti-violence programs. Successful programs like Cease Fire and Alternatives have significant impact reducing violence and involving young people in productive and safe activities. Better communication between the Alderman's office and police is needed. The building at 5425 N Winthrop was a gang and drug haven for years before anything was done. Neighbors reported problems repeatedly with little impact. The Alderman must be an advocate for the neighbors in the community and work with them to solve specific crime problems.

Businesses need to feel supported when they have needs from City Hall. The Alderman's office should be their first point of contact and the Alderman ought to be the ombudsman, solving problems and expediting resolutions. Board-ups should be addressed rapidly. The vacated building at Bryn Mawr and Winthrop has set vacant for years. Only in the last few weeks has a group of neighborhood volunteers pitched in to fix-up the site. The Alderman's office should be taking the lead on these simple solutions, not following so far behind.

Public opinion should always be solicited for new developments. But the antiquated system that was implemented by Marion Volini in the 1970's needs a face-lift and makeover.

Local transportation is slow and inefficient. I take the 151 Sheridan bus and the Broadway bus frequently and frequently I wait. In the mornings several commuter buses go past before a local bus. I find myself waiting with older folks traveling to the store or their doctor's office while bus after bus of commuters heads downtown. Who is affected by this disparity: the elderly and people with disabilities. Solutions are simple but who is calling for them? Who is advocating for them?

Most new developments are required to make first floor residential units accessible. But these rules are frequently overlooked. I believe that our community should be open to all people including the elderly and those with disabilities. If the Alderman is not their advocate, who will be?