Last night, Logan Square community members of the 35th Ward gathered at The Miracle Center (2311 N. Pulaski Rd.). Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa held the first of three Neighborhood Assemblies to discuss infrastructure improvements, city services, legislation and development. Rosa presented the Ward’s three-year progress report since taking office in 2015.
In his address to the community, he writes, “in the past three years my office and I have worked diligently—alongside active residents, neighborhood organizations, government agencies, and community stakeholders—to put our neighborhoods and our working families first.”
The majority of requests received from community members are city service requests such as graffiti removal, rodent abatement or fixing street and alley lights. Over 24,000 of those requests were received in the past three years.
One of Rosa’s beliefs is that the power should be with the people and he reiterated this point last night.
“I believe in democracy, in the power of coming together. Together we can make decisions and represent the community in which we live,” Rosa said. “The people are the ones that govern in the 35th Ward.”
Since 2015, Rosa has held 21 public meetings on zoning changes and new developments, giving the people of the 35th Ward the chance to voice their concerns. Rosa also gives community members the chance to participate in a more active way by joining the Participatory Budgeting Committee. Every year, each Ward is given $1 million for infrastructure improvements and neighborhood residents allocate where that money goes by workshopping requests received by community members.
Joyce Brody, a member of the Participatory Budgeting Committee, attended last night’s meeting. “I really enjoy meeting people from all over the Ward and participating in the process,” she said.
Meeting attendees were given opportunities to ask questions and voice concerns during the meeting. Rosa presented the meeting in both English and Spanish. See the flyer below for more information on the meetings and topics that will be covered.
For more information and to view the complete Three Year Progress Report, visit http://www.aldermancarlosrosa.org/progress.