Editorial

Baby Steps at Church and Darrow

There has been a good deal of animated and sometimes vehement conversation about a vacant lot at Church Street and Darrow Avenue, where Housing Opportunity Development Corporation – a Wilmette-based not-for-profit developer of affordable housing, in partnership with Evanston-based Evanston Community Development Corporation – has proposed the construction of a 27-unit rental apartment complex. The site has been vacant for several years, and some environmental cleanup would be involved.

The HODC/ECDC project would be financed in part by selling low-income-housing tax credits that have been allocated to the project by the State of Illinois. Options for financing affordable rental projects are limited; the LIHTC program is one of the few avenues open for this sort of project. HODC seeks concessions in setbacks and parking from the City but does not request any money.

The target population is individuals and families earning between $20,000 and $45,000 per year. Rent would be between $500 and $950 per month. At the end of 15 years the apartments would be sold, and tenants would have preference in buying these affordable condominiums.
One of the main objections to the project has been that it will not have owner-occupied housing. Opponents of the development say they want owners, not tenants, to come to the area.

They have attributed illegal conduct, bad habits and poor morals to the as-yet-unknown tenants and claimed that tenants are not stakeholders in a neighborhood. Opponents have also pointed out that voucher-holding (Section 8) tenants would be eligible to move into the building.

We do not think it is fair, or proper, to stereotype renters or lower-income families in this fashion. And as to the issue of Section 8 vouchers, what the opponents fail to recognize is that many Section 8 voucher holders are working folks whose incomes qualify for rental assistance.

The Plan Commission sided with the objectors and rejected the proposal, saying its "concentration of poverty" could harm the already stressed Church/Dodge area. Yet City staff concerns center on the lack of adequate parking in the proposal and a desire for some commercial or retail development on the ground floor, to help in revitalization of the area.

Although as a rule we do not comment on neighborhood zoning issues, this is an issue that should concern the entire Evanston community. The City has talked a lot about affordable housing in recent years, but to date little has been done.

HODC's building, composed of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, offers good solid new housing at lower rents, allowing renters the ability to live in Evanston and perhaps save a little money toward something better, maybe home ownership or college for their children. Good landlords make good tenants, and HODC will have to manage this property carefully.

The City Council's Planning and Development Committee has appointed a subcommittee of aldermen and representatives of the two neighborhood groups to try to work out the differences. This alone is a positive move, and, after one meeting, it seems that most, if not all, of the subcommittee members are willing to approach the issues with open minds. Although the two sides – some residents on the one hand and HODC and ECDC on the other – appear to be at loggerheads, we understand they have the same goal at heart: the revitalization of the Church/Dodge area in a way that is sensitive to and minimally disruptive of the community. Indeed, some who oppose this development have already contributed to the revitalization of the west side. On the other side, many respected members of the community – including local residents – support the Church/Darrow project.

We recognize that there may not be a lot that HODC can concede, given its financial constraints, yet we know that open minds and honest dialogue can foster unexpected and productive results.

As the discussions continue, we encourage the aldermen to recognize the financial constraints faced by HODC in balancing the concerns of the neighbors with the need to preserve housing affordable to lower-income families.

Good housing affordable to persons with lower incomes is becoming ever scarcer in our city.

I'm Sorry

By Charles Wilkinson

Both scenes are vivid in my cinematic memory. The first has John Wayne in one of his more rugged westerns (I cannot say which) telling a young cowboy, "Don't apologize, son; it's a sign of weakness." I was in a seminary at the time, and his words were like heresy to me. Maybe because I was in training to help other people do just that to the God I hoped to bring into their lives. Someone reminded me then that it was "just a movie" and quieted my anger. That worked for the moment, but why did I remember my reaction some 40 years later?

The second scene was gentler and left me cynical because of its mushiness. "Love Story," starring Ryan O'Neal and Ali McGraw. Many of you can easily recite the line, "Love means never having to say you're sorry." The awards the picture won attested to the millions of nerve-endings touched by its tragic tale. But that line, I realized, still lingers in me decades later.

What reminded me of both scenes was a live-in lover complaining in therapy that in the previous week he must have said "I'm sorry" to his significant other at least a hundred times.

"Doc, I heard myself apologizing for brushing my teeth too noisily; for leaving a coffee cup on the kitchen counter; for choosing the wrong (in her eyes) necktie. I quote, ‘You're not going out looking like that, are you?' Later I called her from work and she snapped, ‘Why are you calling me now? I'm on the other line with my mother.' What could I say, except ‘I'm sorry'? And when I caught myself doing it, I got angry, not at her but at myself, wondering ‘What am I doing?'"

"What do you think the anger is about?" I asked.

He looked at me until I heard the clock ticking, and said, "She's all over me, always on my case, and I am tired of it."

"So why do you apologize? What are you really saying when you do?"

"Get off my back, will you?"

"Are you talking to me or about her?"

"About her. She's making me crazy!"

"Is she, or are you? Saying ‘I'm sorry' doesn't let her know what's going on with you. All it does is help you avoid confronting her about her controlling you."

It was then I remembered John Wayne's words of forty years ago. And "Love Story." I told him my reactions to both back when. He laughed when he admitted to being weak in his relationship, or at least unclear, he said. And he added he would like to believe the sentiment shared by Ali and Ryan, but he knew that was not possible.
What is possible, I told him, is knowing what the words "I'm sorry" really mean, that they should not be a hiding place for the truth of one's feelings – a sign of weakness, and that all too often, when appropriate, love means needing to say just that. After the session, I tipped my hat to Duke and wagged my finger at the young lovers of long ago.

Keeping One's Place

By Peggy Tarr

It's 2006! I needed to remind myself what year it is, because sometimes it's hard to know, judging from the world around us. I struggled with whether or not to title this article "Keeping One's Place" or "Knowing One's Place." Without a doubt, both conditions limit self-fulfillment and freedom.

Jim Crow, proclaiming that some people were more equal than others, mandated that signs be posted to make people "keep one's place" and internalize those postings so that people would "know one's place." Amendments to the Constitution of the United States and a series of Civil Rights Acts (1866,1875, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1966, 1968, 1991) eventually, essentially, on paper, gave "equal rights" to all Americans. Of course, it's hard to consider rights as "equal" in a race where some people are given a head start, whether the race be in education, housing or jobs.

"Knowing one's place," may make one keep one's place. These concepts of knowing-and-keeping are held both by the people who are supposed to know and keep their places and those who observe/control the people who are supposed to know and keep their places. Confusing? Yes! Destructive? Yes! The continuation of these concepts (= the status quo) is why I must remind myself that this is 2006.

To limit the discussion of equality or inequality in America, I'm going to focus on black people in America. As slaves, black people were not to be taught how to read, not to be educated. "Why?" "Dangerous!" "Not God's plan!" "They don't need it." Then, when black kids could be schooled, they should not go to the same school as white kids. "Why?" Black people should not be allowed to live outside ghettos. "Why?"

Black people should not be given "good jobs" and certainly should not make the same salaries as white folks. "Why?" Dangerous ..."

Well, again, I remind myself and you that it's 2006, and here in Evanston, as in other parts of America, Jim Crow antics still carry on, just without signs being posted. Black people who "speak the king's English" and/or display intelligence are still considered a threat - a threat to the status quo, those empowered and those who are not.

"Get your education," older black folks told me as a child, "They can't take that away from you." That's still true. An education, regardless of age, will surely help one not buy into "knowing one's place" as defined by oppressors, and buoy one above the constraints of "keeping one's place."

Guest Essay

Trying to Stall Global Warming

This is the first in a series of articles about recommendations resulting from the April 2 sustainability forum, "Creating a Sustainable Evanston," sponsored by the Network for Evanston's Future.

The general recommendation of the Global Warming Group is that the City of Evanston create an "Office of Sustainable Development." Within that umbrella framework, the first priority would be forthe City to adopt Kyoto Treaty initiatives and requirements. This involves developing a community-wide plan to reduce Evanston's emissions to a level 7 percent below 1990 by 2010.

Globally, national governments organize the efforts to reduce CO2 emissions. However, in the United States, it is cities that have taken the lead. When the Kyoto Protocol took effect on Feb. 16, 2005, Greg Nickels, Mayor of Seattle, sent letters to 400 mayors, inviting cities to sign the Protocol and work to meet its targets. As of this April, 224 mayors from 39 states have signed it, the five in Illinois including Chicago and Highland Park. These 224 cities are creating a coalition and network to trade information on sustainability.

Participating cities agree to three steps. First, the City will urge the federal government and state governments to enact policies and programs to meet or beat the target reductions. Second, it will urge the U.S. Congress to pass bipartisan greenhouse gas reduction legislation. And third, the city itself will strive to meet or exceed Kyoto Protocol targets for reducing global warming pollution by taking actions in their own operations and communities.

Reducing emissions is be a community effort and should include not only the City's operations but also the practices of individuals and businesses.

The City would begin by creating an inventory of global warming emissions in its operations and in the community, setting reduction targets and creating an action plan. Pursuing the target reduction would entail many different efforts, including policies that preserve open space; create walkable communities; promote transportation options such as bicycle trails, commute trip-reduction programs, incentives for car pooling and public transit; increase the use of clean, alternative energy; make energy efficiency a priority through building code improvements, retrofit city facilities with energy efficient lighting; and help individuals and businesses do the same; promote sustainable building practices using the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED program; increase the average fuel efficiency of municipal fleet vehicles; increase recycling rates in City operations and in the community; maintain healthy urban forests and promote tree planting to increase shading and to absorb CO2; and help educate the public, business and industry about reducing global warming pollution.
In signing the Kyoto Protocol, Evanston, along with the other 224 cities, can use this structure to measure all City actions in terms of its contribution to global warming. There is now an entire network of City efforts to assist us in this task.

The Global Warming Group of the Network for Evanston's Future held its first meeting on April 18. Anyone who wishes to get involved may call Andrea Orcutt 847-475-2262 or e-mail orcutt@ameritech.net.

Letters

Thanks for Interest in Sustainability
Editor:

I wish to express my joy in attending and seeing the "Creating a Sustainable Evanston" forum held here in Evanston on April 2, sponsored by the Network for Evanston's Future. A receptive and enthusiastic audience of about 200 Evanstonians listened to the fascinating presentation of Steve Cohen, director of the office of sustainable developement in Portland, Ore., which is one of the greenest cities in the country.Portland is practicing sustainability in many amazing ways, and it is a real beacon for the rest of us and provides a template for us in Evanston.

I express my thanks and appreciation to these Evanston aldermen who showed up for the event: Aldermen Wollin,Tisdahl, Moran and Holmes. Also attending were Julie Hamos, our state representative, and most important of all, our new City manager, Ms. Julia Carroll, who showed a sincere interest in sustainability issues. This is the first time such a high-ranking Evanston official has shown such an interest in these issues, and we can all be proud and grateful.

I would like to urge my fellow Evanstonians to call to their aldermen and tell them you would like an Office of Sustainable Development right here in Evanston, to make our city the greenest city in Illinois and one of the greenest in the country. They represent us, and are supposed to represent our interests, ifwe only let them know what they are. ...  Call, don't write, and City Hall will tell you who your alderman isand provide his or her phone number.

Evanston is such a progressive city in so many ways, it's only a "natural"that we take the lead too, as a sustainable, green city for other cities in Illinois and around the country to follow, by having our own Office of Sustainable Development. Please make the call today; it will only take two minutes. We need to work together. Thank you.
--Michael Zucker

Public Meeting Too Late
Editor:

On March 29 my wife attended a meeting at which we heard the details regarding the proposed tear-down of one of the houses on our block and the subsequent construction of a new one to replace it. The meeting also gave all of us in the neighborhood an opportunity to voice our own feelings in the matter.

In a nutshell, allthe neighbors who attended – six households in all – agreed with rare unanimity that the proposed structure is simply too big and very much out of proportion with the existing houses and the lot. The house, if built according to plans, would tower over every other building on the block.

We realize that buying property is a highly lucrative business for developers, but I see no reason why the municipality cannot establish policies that would require that all new construction be designed in keeping with the ambience of the neighborhoods.

Frankly,I am unhappy that such public meetings are required only at the end of the process. I suspect that meetings such as this are a mere formality that will probably have little effect on the final decisions to award a permit.

Such meetings should take place much earlier in the process, and anyone proposing to replace an existing structure should come up with several alternatives that will afford some room for discussion and compromise. As it is, we are shown a plan as an accomplished fact, presented with a take-it-or-lump-it attitude. This is not dialogue; it's empty theater.

I would hope that the concern of neighbors might have some impact on the decisions made by those in a position to formulate them. Otherwise these public meetings are about as effective as shooting up an empty rain barrel.

The substance of the above letter was sent to the Director of Community Development immediately after the meeting was held. As of this writing, I have not received the courtesy of a reply.
--Donald Draganski

No to Iran War
 Editor:

Articles that appeared this past weekend in the Washington Post and the New Yorker laid out a scenario that is so deeply terrifying that all Americans must awaken from their slumber and take notice.We have in the White House a nutcase who, with his bloodthirsty cabal, is assembling plans to initiate a war in Iran.

The mind reels at the thought. Our budget and our military are stretched to breaking; our national debt is at an all-time high; Americans are being held without charges while others are tortured at ghoulish military camps and by "friendly" host countries; money is being misspent by the billions as college loans are cut; widespread illegal wiretapping of peace-loving citizens occursunchecked; our people are dying in hurricanes and left stranded by a government that can't, or won't, do the right thing;Halliburton is making money hand-over-fist off the misery in Iraq, as the oil companies play with prices and make record profits; we have ruined a proud country and triggered a civil war there, with no end in sight....and now the same deceitful reasons for invasion in Iraq are being trotted out for a war in Iran.

Read his lips: Regime change is needed, they are terrorists out to destroy us, they are not following international rules, there is no alternative except for the U.S. to step in....It was wrong last time, and it is terrifyingly wrong this time.

The U.S. and the world cannot survive another war. We need to end the one we've got. I can't believe there's even a need to talk about this when the utter failure of the current war is so blindingly obvious.But apparently we have a group of armchair-warrior chicken hawks running the government and they mean business... er, profit.

We must call upon all of our elected officials to resist any and all movement toward a military conflict in Iran.It will be the coup de grace that destroys our country and the world.I previously believed impeachment was a process not worth putting the country through, but I now believe it may be necessary.It appears to be the only way to slow them down.
--Kristin Lems

 

Garlic Mustard Weed Pull
Fellow Evanstonians and Friends of Perkins Woods:

Please join us for the Annual Garlic Mustard Weed Pull, to be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 29 and 30, at Dwight Perkins Woods from 9:30 a.m. to noon.The woods is located in northwest Evanston between Grant and Colfax Streets and Ewing and Bennett Streets.Perkins Woods is Evanston's only slice of Cook County Forest Preserve and the only remaining natural land in Evanston.

Since 1989 volunteer neighbors and friends of the woods have been removing this easy-to-spot, easy-to-pull weed.Garlic mustard is a non-native plant that is fast growing and spreading. It is the chief competitor for the space, light, nutrients and water needed by our native grasses and flowers that bloom in beautiful procession each spring. One plant can produce hundreds of seeds.

Over the years, we have made great progress, but without eternal vigilance and annual pulling, garlic mustard would out-compete our beautiful native plants.

We are also looking for helpful hands to pitch in and clean up the woods after the long winter. Spend some time working and helping in our woods.Besides pulling weeds, you'll see an amazing array of wildflowers. Perkins Woods is also one of the premier birding spots in the Chicago area for migrating birds.

No prior experience needed.Come for as long or as short a time as you like.We welcome scout groups and families. We hope to see you there.
--Jancy Jerome and Libby Hill,
Co-Stewards, Perkins Woods

 

Support Darrow Corners
Editor:

I recently attended a City Council Planning and Development Committee meeting regarding a proposed development of 27 "affordable" rental units called Darrow Corners. I support the proposal and encourage other Evanston residents to support it.

The development of rental apartments by the Housing Opportunity Development Corporation (HODC) in cooperation with the Evanston Community Development Corporation (ECDC) will be a win-win proposition for the neighborhood and City in general.

 Development will clean up and consolidate a long-vacant, blighted lot and increase the property tax revenues generated by the site.
- The development is requesting NO funding from the City of Evanston.
- The development will meet the City's goals of providing rental housing and affordable housing. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for residents who have rented their units for 15 years to buy their units at an affordable price and enjoy the benefits of homeownership.
- The development will be operated and managed by two established and reputable not-for-profit organizations. HODC is active in and out of Evanston. Evanston Community Development Corporation (ECDC) is a long-standing neighborhood group with a record of good work.
- The development seeks only minimal zoning relief, i.e., the reduction of some off-street parking.
- The development will provide sorely needed housing that will help to retain people who currently are, and for generations have been, part of our community. It will make Evanston more affordable for some of the many people working in our community to live in the community they work in.
- The development will not displace any households and will promote a more diverse housing supply for the community.
- The units will be affordable over the long-term as opposed to conventional rentals that can be and often are converted into high-priced condos that are too costly for the renting tenants to buy.

It is high time that the City provide more than lip service to the need for affordable housing in our community. In the 17 years that I have lived in Evanston, the overwhelming majority of the development in town has been available only to people at the high end of the income spectrum. While this kind of development is of benefit to our community, other kinds of development should also have a place in Evanston. Darrow Corners also will be a benefit to the community and represents something that is much harder to achieve.

 When luxury condominium developers come knocking, the City's doors are wide open. It is now the City Council's responsibility to keep the doors open for developers of affordable housing opportunities for lower income residents of the community, too. The Darrow Corners development is an opportunity that should not be squandered.
--Lee Smith

 

Don't "Optima"-ize 1515 Chicago Ave.
Editor:

Location! Location! Location!The cardinal rule in real estate has been violated for the citizens of Evanston by Optima's proposal to locate its gigantic project at 1515 Chicago Ave.It may be exceedingly profitable for Optima and it may be well-designed but, of all the many places to locate it, the Chicago-Davis-Hinman-Grove block is the last place to put it.

Other residents have already mentioned the many shortcomings of having such a huge structure dominating the block which displays a low-rise apartment façade on three sides.

 I wish to alert all our aldermen that this may be the last chance that they have to preserve Evanston's great residential quality of life.If this block becomes "Optimized," Evanston's residential standard will descend sharply, possibly never to recover.This unique block offers on its south side, the best view of the First Presbyterian Church designed by Evanston's Daniel Burnham, and is located on the border of Evanston's Historic District. Its north side fronts on the site of Northwestern's first building.Our block deserves something much better than Optima currently proposes.

I'd like to think that our City's aldermen would prefer that they be remembered as preservers of the high- quality way of life that Evanston up to now has always enjoyed.There is no need to rush to accept this first proposal.Evanston will earn its permit fees when a proper and fitting development plan is brought before it in due time.
--Julius & Sarita Halpern

 

Evanston Hospital Supports City's Health Care Vision
Editor:

The City of Evanston's strategic plan indicates that families with children identified good health care as one of the "future images we want others to have" of the City.At Evanston Hospital we believe the future is now.Nationally known for high-quality care and extensive research activities, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare is the only health care organization in the country to have been named a Top 100 Hospital and a Top 15 Major Teaching Hospital 11 times.

We are proud of our accomplishments and will continue to examine myriad ways to fulfill our mission to preserve and protect human life.That's why we support the City's partnership vision to create a cooperative and reciprocal partnership with its hospitals.Evanston Hospital embraces the City's vision that "the health and wellness of every citizen will improve with opportunities created by building stronger relationships with the hospitals."

Evanston Hospital welcomes support from the City to help the hospitals "increase public awareness of their programs as well as provide assistance in creating programs."In addition, Evanston Hospital embraces the plan's vision for hospitals to take an increasing role in providing health service to citizens.

The health care landscape is constantly changing, and we need to be creative.Evanston Hospital is committed to taking a leadership role – offering resources and support to improve the health of the Evanston community.

Some of Evanston Hospital's current community partnerships include operating the health clinic at Evanston Township High School, along with the City of Evanston and ETH S, and providing 19 volunteers to the City's medical reserve corps.

Community Foundation's "Healthy Evanston Initiative" and partnering with the McGraw YMCA and District 65 to sponsor the district's after school athletic program.In addition, during 2005,financial contributions were made to 17 organizations that are working to improve community health, expand health care access and increase community engagement.

We fully recognize that the more Evanston Hospital, the City and the community connect, the stronger and healthier all will become, and therefore support the City's vision for partnering to address the health care needs of the community.
--Raymond Grady,President and ChiefExecutive Officer Evanston Hospital

 

Support the Red Cross
Editor:

As a longtime volunteer for the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago I am greatly dismayed that the public perception of the good work we do for individuals in their hours of greatest need is being colored by recent reports of fraudulent activity by a very small percentage of the total number of volunteers.

The American Red Cross of Greater Chicago engages nearly 1,000 volunteers to help with local disasters.Each is screened through a background check and required to participate in disaster training before responding to any disaster.Locally, all new volunteers are sent out with a seasoned responder.

In the last year those volunteers have helped thousands of Chicago area residents who have been displaced by residential fires, floods and tornadoes, meeting their disaster-caused needs including shelter, food, clothing and counseling.

Many of those same volunteers helped over 7,700 Hurricane Katrina evacuees in Chicago and over 200 local volunteers went to the gulf coast states to help those impacted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Hurricane Katrina was an unprecedented disaster that called for an unprecedented response.There were lessons learned by everyone, and the Red Cross is working hard to substantially strengthen all our systems before the next hurricane season.

This humanitarian organization works tirelessly to help us prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters.I ask that you do not let the behavior of a few ruin the hard-earned reputation of an organization that is 125 years old.
--Susan Brenner, Response and Emergency Communications Chair