I would like to hear about your ideas for the Uptown Entertainment District, and, specifically, what you would do to promote the reuse of the Uptown Theatre. As a resident of the far southern end of the ward, I'd like to see a revitalization of the Lawrence/Broadway area that is on par with other sections of the ward (i.e., Andersonville). What are your thoughts on historic preservation?
- J.A.

Thank you for your letter. I am very interested in the revitalization of all of the commercial districts in the 48th Ward and if elected Alderman will work with you and other neighbors to create a plan for commercial development that can be read, shared, and used as a road map for our community's growth and development.

The business strips surrounding Edgewater Glen are a total embarrassment. Over the course of 11 years of meetings that I have attended I have asked numerous questions and proposed ideas about what can be done to improve Broadway, Devon, and Clark. The answers that I hear from the current alderman are laced with excuses, arrogance, hostility, and evasiveness. It is clear that Andersonville is being relied upon as a shining example of what has been accomplished in the 48th Ward while the much of the Edgewater business districts languish in a desparate condition. What can you do to bring the various forces together to actually get something done?
- David

I absolutely agree that while the commercial district of Andersonville has grown nicely and has been highly touted, Broadway, Devon, Granville, Thorndale and Bryn Mawr have languished, especially in comparison with other areas of the city. This is especially remarkable considering the natural assets of our community--the proximity to the lake, access to public transportation and the density and diversity of population.

Chris - As someone who recently fought against community approval for a new high-rise on Sheridan Road I am interested in what you think about the number of new high-rise buildings that are being rubber stamped by the current Edgewater administration and its political supporters. There are more than 1000 of us, not so politically connected, who signed petitions this summer protesting the density that hundreds and hundreds of new high-rise residents and the cars belonging to these residents will bring to Sheridan south of Hollywood. The current alderman publicly promised to hold height limits on this stretch of Sheridan to 8 stories, changing her mind and personally lobbying the community to support her change of mind when she decided she wanted a proposed 15-20-story high-rise at Catalpa and Sheridan to be her 'legacy'. What will you do if elected to address this issue that concerns so many of us?
- (name withheld by request )

Firstly, I share your dismay at the process that led to the approval of the building at Catalpa and Sheridan. This building met with significant public resistance and outcry, yet when it passed the Alderman's Zoning and Planning Committee, she publicly touted it as receiving overwhelming community support.

What is your opinion about the proposed extension of Lakeshore Drive?
- (name withheld)

The problem of mass commuter traffic through the north side of Chicago is a regional problem that demands a regional approach. Extending Lake Shore Drive is a massive and extraordinarily costly endeavor which provides no guarantee for solving this commuter problem.

I noticed that it does not state if Christopher is Democrat or Republican. I realize that it may not matter as much on a city level. Hoewever, it does matter to me.
- Darren

I am a Democrat and have voted Democratic for my entire life. However, I understand loud and clear the sentiment of 48th Ward residents like 83 year old Mrs. Johnson who told me that she would never vote for a local Democrat again after seeing the hand-me-down politics of the midterm elections.

People are weary of having their democratic franchise taken away. My opponent in this election was appointed and has never faced a serious electoral challenge. Throughout our local government elected seats are passeded down to family members or staffers without regard to a democratic process.

This district is heavily populated by gays and lesbians. I do not see where Christopher stands on gays?
- Darren

I am for full equality for Gay, Lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals. As alderman I will work with my colleagues at the State level to make Illinois a state where Gay marriage is legal.

I am wondering specifically what Mr. Persons thinks of transportation issues in Edgewater. Many motorists from suburbs and other neighborhoods use Edgewater's streets as thoroughfares to Lake Shore Drive. They speed through residential neighborhoods and down roads like Broadway and Ridge that have extremely long signals that favor commuters at the expense of pedestrians. Meanwhile, the Red Line stations are an embarassment and service on the CTA north side mainline is plagued with slow zones caused by crumbling infrastructure (just look at the Hollywood viaduct). This is an important issue to thousands of residents who have seen their commutes get longer just within the past year. Many of your potential voters endure this on a daily basis and it seems like no one is listening.
- Mike

I agree with everything you said. I sometimes take the 151 Bus on Sheridan and wait for a very long time with other local riders (usually seniors) while the commuter buses go by in droves. I also ride the Red Line and Broadway bus and am continually disappointed in the lack of speed and cleanliness of the facilities. Commuter parking in the community is also an issue and as you say, Ridge and Broadway Avenues become miniature expressways sluicing through and dividing our residential neighborhoods.