Ald Waguespack provided updates to SLN

32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack provided several ward updates to the neighbors who attended the meeting Tuesday in the basement of St. Alphonsus.

·      Pedro Guerrero, Streets and Sanitation Superintendant for the ward, has a larger area to cover. He is also assisting along the Safe Passage route on the far south side. Residents are still encouraged to call with issues, but the response time will be affected.

·      Waguespack is continuing to have taggers do community service in and around the ward. Neighbors can call and request items be taken care of.

·      If you still have your Chicago Card or Chicago Card Plus, it is recommended that you stop funding it and switch over to the new Ventra Card, which have been mailed to registered users. Mark Meiner of Ventra will hold a Ventra training the same evening as the free flu shot night.

·      “The Parking Geek” might be able to help you with the unfair parking ticket.

·      Divvy Bikes is a non-profit program of CDOT. They are still working out more locations, but it seems to be very successful so far.

·      The Chicago Housing Authority’s Lathrop Homes project is proceeding. The 20-story high rise is still in the plans, but the number of units has been reduced from 1600 to 1200. The CHA will add three curb cuts on Damen and more on Diversey. There are no plans right now to help Chicago Public Schools with the possible influx of students.

·      There have been complaints about Diag Bar. They have been cited for multiple violations, including no valid licenses forretail sale of food, patio seating, and incidental liquor sales. They have updated their licenses, but continue to deal with the complaints. If you have complaints, contact Elizabeth in Scott’s office.

·      The Lakeview Chamber of Commerce continues to work on the Lincoln Avenue streetscape project.

·      Waguespack also recommended that neighbors sign up for his e-newsletter at Ward32.org. The next Ward Night is October 7th at the office.

There were some citywide issues as well. Midway Airport privatization has been cancelled. Pension issues are affecting the city’s credit rating. Red Light Cameras don’t have oversight at the moment.

Speed cameras are coming. Expect them locally at Barry and Ashland, as well as Fullerton and Ashland.

The police beats in our neighborhood are about twice as big, and the police are being pulled for Safe Passage duty. Bulk trash pick-ups have been cut because they have been pulled for Safe Passage duty.

Rats and graffiti are still a major problem. Call 311, but also take clean-up into your own hands.

Bus Rapid Transit is slated to go down Western and Ashland, eliminating trees, landscaping, left turns, and center lanes.

Lakeview High School has had their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program for five years. Unfortunately, funding has been cut for it.

Recording Secretary Bill Haderlein is looking for block captains to get the word out to non-members who live in the neighborhood about the monthly meetings. He will send out the announcements to the block captains, who will pass around to the mailboxes.