Evanston 6th Ward Blog

Recap of 6th Ward meeting September 29, 2010

Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Three Crowns Park

Announcements

During the next few months residents can follow the City of Evanston budget process at Council meetings or go on line to: www.cityofevanston.org/budget

To find a calendar of scheduled budget and regular Council meetings go to: www.cityofevanston.org/events/2010/09/

Speakers

Bonnie Wilson, Evanston Township Assessor, reported that there is an appeal period for residents whose first appeal was not granted. For information call: 847 332-2465

Suzette Robinson, Director of Streets and Sanitation, reported that all Evanston residents will receive new waste containers when a contract has been signed with a vendor and the City switches from waste to recycling collection.

Officer Loyce Spells, Community Strategies Bureau, Evanston Police Department, distributed a City map illustrating crimes reported since early 2010. He said while crime is down in the City, especially violent crime, burglaries are a steady problem in the 6th Ward. Several new neighborhood watch groups have formed over the summer and many have connected with Skokie watch groups to share information.

Officer Spells also provided information for an alley light program through ComEd. You can contact Officer spells at lspells@cityofevanston.org or by calling: 847 866-5019 (Direct); 847 866-5010 Ext. 4224 (Voicemail)

Eric Duray, ComEd External Affairs Manager, spoke and took questions about recent power outages in the 6th Ward and elsewhere. Many residents voiced their belief that the problems were systemic and related to an aging infrastructure. Mr. Duray countered complaints about frequency of outages by pointing out that each failure had a different cause. Many of them were storm related.

Residents of Three Crowns Park spoke, not only about outages, but the response time in restoring power. One woman said that her home at Three Crowns does not have a back-up generator and she often relies on life support equipment.

Another Three Crowns resident reported that she has lived in the 6th Ward most of her life of 79 years and has never witnessed as many power outages — four at the Three Crown Park this year. Most others agreed.

City Manager Wally Bobciewicz spoke about the City’s contract with ComEd and the expectations of a better dialogue with the company. Mr. Duray agreed. In a follow-up email, Mr. Duray attached a presentation he prepared for the September 22 meeting. (Eva_Storm_Restoration_09-22-10) He offered to meet with smaller groups with detailed information about power outages. He encouraged residents to communicate their ComEd concerns through their Alderman.

The September 22, 2010 6thWard meeting ended at approximately 9:15 PM.