I am running for a seat on Rockford’s City Council because I believe that now is the time for me to formally bring my passion & energy to improve ALL of Rockford, from the central River District downtown, out to our entire great City. And to truly best help ALL of Rockford, we certainly need to better help out Rockford’s 13th Ward. Because Rockford is only as strong as its weakest link, and for to
o long, some of the most neglected areas of Rockford have been on Rockford’s West side. For too long we have heard both the facts and the fiction - of neglected neighborhoods, poverty, uncaring people, and dangerous crime. I would like to help repair the real problems, and correct the misconceptions; by bringing all of City’s business, religious, charitable, and residential neighborhood resources together. We need to stop using the Rock River to divide us, and instead get our entire City working together to improve the areas that need the most help. Much greater attention needs to be given to the often overlooked West side area. We have great resources in our older neighborhoods, and now is the time to bring them together and show the entire City where our history and pride lies. Because, while I appreciate growth and success, I for one do not believe that Rockford’s true spirit is along East State Street. The cookie-cutter corporate chain businesses there could just as easily be on Gulf Road in Schaumburg, or in any other place in the Country. No, Rockford’s heart and its history are further West. Our 100 year old businesses and homes should be emphasized and celebrated. The unique, locally owned companies and historical neighborhoods should be assets, not liabilities. We need to show our entire City the pride of the West side. There are a lot of great things happening in Rockford. And I am a believer that anything that helps the neediest issues in our City, is in fact the rising tide that lifts all boats. We have brought people across the river with successes at the Coronado, Davis Park, and our Museums and other things. Now, as infrastructure work proceeds on the Morgan Street Bridge and up at Auburn & Main Street, let’s also ensure that we get the best that we can along West State street and in our most neglected neighborhoods. And we need action and involvement to make sure that this happens. There are so many things going on in Rockford that the 13th Ward needs an active and involved steward to ensure that the West side is served as best possible. We cannot let absent and uninformed representation allow the area to be underserved any longer. For example, there will be $40 million dollars spent along West State Street in these current years. There are dramatic changes being proposed for some of our poorest residents. There are vital issues that need to be managed with our Criminal Justice entities. There are neighbors concerned with everything from gangs & truancy to road repairs & streetlights. And there are brand new things happening with new neighborhood groups and a new togetherness of all of our faith based organizations. Who is going to watch over all of these things? I would like to be sure that the 13th Ward is represented aggressively in all of these endeavors. I would like to work to see that all of my 13th Ward neighbors will be as active and involved as I will be. I believe that by working hard to bring all of these things together, I can help ensure that all of our neighbors really know each other, and that great things can come soon to Rockford’s West side. I would like to work hard to make this happen, and to show how our history and our people can make the entire City better.
