Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Where's Ricardo? Housing Matters, Public Housing Project in Little Village, Little Village Community Meeting, Vote 2014 TV Show, Endorsed Cook County Democrats, Job Fair, Movie Review

          WHERE’S RICARDO? Ald. Ricardo Munoz [22nd Ward] has missed three opportunities [meetings] to inform the Little Village residents and business people about the Mercy Public Housing project. A project he wants to build on 26th St. & Kostner Ave.
          THE FIRST meeting Ald. Munoz missed was scheduled on Nov. 5th at the Little Village Community Council office. Ald. Munoz committed himself to attend, but cancelled at the last minute. He kept twenty-five residents waiting for him. Then he was given two letters, a text message and a phone call inviting him to a Community Meeting at Good Shepherd Church, attended by 60 people, on Dec. 10th. Ald. Munoz, again, was a “no show”. On Dec. 11th, twelve businesspeople requested to meet with him, and again, Ald. Munoz ignored the request.
          ALD. MUNOZ you are sending the wrong message to your Little Village constituents by not attending these meetings! Your silence is loud and getting louder; and your unwillingness to meet with the community gives the impression of having something to hide from the people you represent.
          IF ALD. Munoz believes the public housing project is good for Little Village, he should be excited to announce it, publicly. It would only makes sense to be willing to meet with constituents to tell them how the project, his project, would improve and benefit the neighborhood.
          THE LITTLE Village Community Council and the HOPE Organization are opposing the housing project for many reasons: [1] The housing project is of no benefit to the community or its’ residents; [2] There are no housing or rental shortages in Little Village; [3] Residents of Little Village have not been informed about this public housing project; [4] Little Village is an immigrant community; and immigrants will not be able to apply for federal rental assistance under Section 8. Local resident Raul Montes Jr. said, “Section 8 has been a failure in Chicago”.
           AS PRESIDENT of the Little Village Community Council and a homeowner for 35 years in Little Village, I have not heard anyone say we need affordable public housing in Little Village. The people who are saying so are not in touch with the community. Mexicans are homeowners.  
          MANY Little Village residents and businesspeople have voiced their opposition to the housing project. Sadly, Enlace Chicago members have been calling the Mexicans in Little Village who oppose the housing project—racist [on Face Book of all platforms]. Enlace cannot comprehend that the Mexican residents of Little Village [the most densely Mexican community of Chicago and the Midwest] do not consider the housing project a Black issue; they see it as Mexican issue. Valid concerns expressed by Mexican residents and businesspeople are economic (devalued property), cultural stability, safety, and increased crime.
          LITTLE VILLAGE parents and their children have been clamoring for a sports and recreational facility. What Little Village needs on 26th St. & Kostner Ave. is a soccer field, a park with state-of-the-art and modern amenities, a vocational school, senior or youth center, or even a military historical museum. What it doesn’t need is a public housing project! Ald. Munoz made a promise years ago that he would build a park in the community. As of today, he has failed to keep his promise. It is unfortunate Ald. Munoz is not listening to the parents and children of his community. Remember, Munoz is up for election next year 2015.
          ANOTHER community meeting is scheduled at Piotrowski Park, 4247 W. 31st St. from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014. Ald. Munoz will, again, be invited to attend this meeting and report on his housing project. LVCC and HOPE want to remind Alderman Munoz he has an obligation to inform the community. 
          Vote 2014: Watch the Hispanic American Labor Council cable TV Live show called “VOTE 2014” every Tuesday night from 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Cable Channel 21.  Viewers are invited to call-in and get to know various local, state and federal candidates running for office in the 2014 general primary elections.
          PRIMARY ELECTION: Endorsed for re-election by the Cook County Democratic Party for Cook County government is: President of the County Board Toni Preckwinkle, Sheriff Thomas Dart, Assessor Joseph Barrios, Treasurer Maria Pappas and County Clerk David Orr. Election is Tuesday, March 18, 2014.
          JOB FAIR: Need a Job? The first Little Village “Job Fair” will be held at St. Agnes Church gym, 2651 S. Central Park Ave. on Monday, Jan. 27, 2014 from 12 Noon to 5 p.m. Several companies, with job opportunities, have been invited to participate in the Job Fair. The Fair is being sponsored by the Little Village Community Council and co-sponsored by State Sen. Steve Landek and Rep. Lisa Hernandez. For more information call 773/522-2552.   
          MOVIE REVIEW: “American Hustle” has a confusing, twisted and long storyline. The best part of the movie was the last 10 minutes. Cutting 20 minutes of the movie would not make any difference. I give it one star and that’s because I like Christian Bale.