Welcome to J.P.A.C. Newsletter online, November 2010
Published by Jackson Park Advisory Council, a recognized advisory body to the Chicago Park District, Chicago Illinois
Editor Gary Ossewaarde. Hosted by hydepark.org, website of Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference (owner) by OnShore Communications.
Jackson Park Advisory Council minutes of the October 13, 2010 meeting
The meeting was held on a special day due to Columbus Day and officer availability.
The meeting was convened by Secretary Gary Ossewaarde with assistance of Dwight
Powell, the other officer present. There were 19 attendees and a quorum of those
qualified to vote under attendance provisions of the present bylaws. The meeting
agreed to suspend previous-attendance requirement due to the special circumstances
of the meeting. It was explained that two officers, Vice President Fran Vandervoort
and President Ross Petersen had recently resigned. Fran had formerly submitted
her resignation, accepted at the September meeting. Although Ross had not submitted
a letter, he left a clear message and also gave his resignation and the reasons
therefore clearly in the media, with no word to the contrary. The exemplary
work of both, especially of Ross was described. Members suggested a formal resignation
be asked but is not required and determined that the offices are vacant and
that according to bylaws they should proceed to fill the positions.
Following introductions of attendees (from all the neighborhoods surrounding
the park), the September minutes by Gary Ossewaarde were approved as presented
and summarized.
The financial report was presented by Treasurer Dwight Powell. As of September
30, balance was $3,206.67. Powell was asked to review major expenses to date.
These included last fall $2,400 to Care of Trees for removals in Wooded Island,
a spring lecture by mycologist Greg Mueller (cost a few hundred) and various
for Park Kids activities. $1,000 had been budgeted for Park Kids scholarships.
Operational costs were recited and noted as unsustainable without help of Museum
of Science and Industry and others pro bono. Need to start the 2011 dues/fundraising
was stressed.
Eric Hammond, Jackson Park fieldhouse recreation leader, gave the park and program
report in the absence of Supervisor William Tillis. The Junior Bears are in
the playoffs. Upon suggestion that help would be nice for the Halloween party
for 50-60 kids, Louise McCurry moved with second that $200 be appropriated.
Unanimously approved.
Moved, seconded, approved to proceed to nominations. Officers and other experienced
members reviewed the responsibilities of park councils and recent JPAC accomplishments,
such as the Frederick Douglass monument project. This was followed by distribution
of PAC membership applications and sign up sheets for four identified committees:
Membership, Natural Areas/Upkeep, Program, and Security. Nominees for office
(alphabetic):
President: Louise McCurry, Dwight Powell
Vice President: Judith Hill, Toshia Booker-Blakeley
Secretary: Gary Ossewaarde
Treasurer: Dwight Powell.
Offices will be filled from top office down. Additional nominations will be open from the floor. Bios can be distributed.
Ossewaarde distributed
the latest annotated draft of revised bylaws, by committee of Fran Vandervoort
and Gary Ossewaarde with assistance of experienced attorney Roger Huff, consulting
Chicago Park District Guidelines. Some areas for further visitation were identified
with expectation that language will be brought to the next meeting.
Natural areas and plans were discussed. Some of the concerns and critiques by
Ross Petersen were set forth and two members of the volunteer workday team discussed
them. Jerome Scott, CPD Park Forester explained the natural areas protocol and
the template that was developed with much community and expert consultation
and distinguished between removals and plantings. He said the PD is serious
about implementing plans—properly--and needs volunteers and a site steward
to work and oversee. He explained how one qualifies and becomes a site steward
and urged people to apply (two persons or more sharing the post is acceptable.)
There is a new Natural Areas Coordinator, to whom one applies. Scott said the
dune project by the 63rd pavilion is going very well.
Members described inconveniences and impracticalities for park users from the
paid parking and opined that the lakefront should be a free-use resource.
Concerns were expressed that recent changes in police deployment would lead
to return of bad conditions the police had begun seriously addressing.
Rosalind Moore of
the 5th Ward Office offered to facilitate a small meeting with the police and
others with responsibility for public safety. Rosalind also said that the Alderman
relies on JPAC to support a strong park, evaluate proposals, and serve as early
warning.
The meeting was adjourned to November 8.
Respectfully submitted, Gary Ossewaarde, Secretary