Volume 2003 Issue 1
J uly 2 0 0 3
Marynook Homeowner’s Association
BULLETIN
Independence Day has become more than just a celebration of our nation’s independence.
It has become a day to celerbrate our own individual freedoms. So this holiday, reflect back to the times when you first voted, purchased your first car or home, or the day when your life became debt free. Look forward to all the opportunities the future holds. In all of our celebrations, don’t forget the struggle for independence that we and our neighbors fight for each and every day. (Stay safe this holiday season.)
Marynook’s Word For The Year 2003 Is:
Unity Like minds think great thoughts together. Brought to you by: Neighbors working together.
Have you seen
AVALON PARK lately?
CLEAN WELL LIT BETTER SECURITY NEW WEIGHT ROOM EQUIPMENT FULLTIME LANDSCAPING SPECIALIST NEW COMMUNITY Targeted ACTIVITIES BEAUTIFUL POOL & KIDS WATER PLAYGROUND
@Play
Avalon Park is a part of Marynook. Use it or lose it. (Go say “Hello!” to Avalon Park’s Supervisor Ms. McMillan and let her know what you think. )
?
Whether it’s a new driveway, fence, roof, or a remodeling job, consider using long-life rated materials. Concrete, galvanized steel, and new resin based paints and materials can add a new worry free look and a sense of security that can follow you well into the future. Longer life materials are often stronger, lighter, and better built. These materials are typically 15%-40% more in cost, but the largest percentage of any construction project’s bill is the labor. So why not use materials that will stand the test of time and save you money. Additional Wear
Examples:
Building a wooden fence? Consider galvenized or fiberglass posts ( 5+ years) New roof to stop leaks? Consider 50 yr. shingles and stainless nails (35+ years) Re-Doing your driveway? Consider concrete instead of asphalt (40+ years)
(Don’t forget to communicate with the MHA on construction projects. It might save you $$$.)
J uly 2 0 0 3
Marynook Homeowner’s Association
INDEX
FEATURES PAGE 1
MARYNOOK INFO l l l l l
PAGE 2
MARYNOOK UPDATE l l l l
PAGE 3
l l
l l
Citywide Alert WNV Facts Check Your Yard
UPCOMING NEWS l l l
PAGE 6
CAPS -vs- Targeted Response Calling The Police Recent Disturbing Events
WEST NILE VIRUS l
PAGE 5
Memorial Announcements Graduates New Neighbors Our Prayers Go Out To
CRIME & SECURITY l
PAGE 4
A Word From The President Last Meeting Year 2003’s Assessments Historical Registry of Marynook Events In Planning Stage
Thanks To All Renewal Has Begun Next Meetings
WORKMENS LIST
Don’t just use this list, help it grow.
July 2003
Marynook Homeowner’s Association
PAGE 1
A Word From The President
The Marynook Homeowner’s Association (MHA) is the driving force behind what keeps our community safe and desirable. The MHA has historically stood as the protective shield that guards and maintains our neighborhood. Imagine a community where residents grow produce right out on their front lawns, where neighbors keep their driveways filled with rusting heaps and let their children run wild through the streets with little regard for the well-being of others. Imagine a community where fences encircle the fronts of homes. Drugs & crime permeate throughout the residence every waking moment and restrict your movement. Now, think of Marynook. Marynook has been spared the decay and crime of the surrounding communities but this is only due to community involvement and a strong homeowner’s association. Our last general meeting, on May 22, was a testament to individual homeowners staying active and concerned in their community. Over 60 people attend the meeting, and everyone contributed to the open discussion about topics concerning our community’s betterment.
Year 2003 Assessments
Mr. Nicholas Galloway
The Marynook community enjoys the volunteer spirit of its’ community members and its’ nonfor-profit association, but the maintenance of a strong association and the services it provides is only possible with your participation through your annual tax-deductible assessment of $25. In the past, residents have said, “Why should I pay? They don’t do anything for me.” Not every action the association undertakes is an earth shattering issue, but much of the day-to-day business requires financial resources. Again it must be emphasized that an under-funded association is ill equipped to aid our community when its members seek assistance. Ultimately the MHA’s real strength is in how it reflects the needs and concerns of its’ membership. We need you to get involved. There are few other investments you will make in life that will affect you as much as the maintenance of the place where you live.
Historical Marynook Registry
We who live in Marynook know our community is unique in all of Chicago. Some have even call Marynook an oasis. Marynook has long been identified as a little suburb inside the city and consists of almost all owner occupied homes. That means roughly 424 families were attracted to and now live in Marynook because of one or more of the features it offers compared with other communities. The Marynook History Project will work with residents to create a story around the critical component of our community' s history. During the 1st year’s initiative of this project, regional representatives will be invited to participate in the of collection information. Our Marynook project will feature such notable individuals as Mohammed Ali and Jessie Owens, who have historically had involvement with our community. We will strive to document our community’s history and bring the past to life again.
Events In Planning
• POLE PAINTERS
Volunteers are needed throughout Marynook for a pole painting party. Marynook has exactly 91 green street light poles inside our community. Out of the 91, there are 3 new silver all aluminum poles. The rest are estimated to be at least 30 years old or more. We are looking for volunteers from all 10 Regions. If you are tired of looking at that old peeling green pole, then call and sign up today. (Scheduled Aug. - Pending 8th-Ward Approval)
• NEW HOMES for OLD STUFF
If you wish to help organize or participate in a Marynook wide yard sale, call today and sign up. We will need: Tables, Chairs, Signs, and STUFF. The proceeds can be donated to a local charity or designated towards a year-end celebration.
MHA (773) 734-5356
• KIDS MOWING LAWNS
Our young people need encouragement in becoming civic minded, productive citizens. Establishing a strong work ethic helps to instill these values. Please consider hiring our youth and unemployed residents for your yard work.
July 2003
Marynook Homeowner’s Association
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Marynook In Remembrance Willie Bond 8608 S. Avalon
Beloved Husband & Father Passed (06/2003)
Mr. Davis 1219 E. 85th Street
Beloved Husband & Father Passed (12/2002) Vern Shelton (moved)
James Perry 1138 E. 85th Street Beloved Father Passed (08/2002)
Martha McCartner 8340 S. Kimbark Beloved Wife Passed (2003)
1349 E. 85th Street
New Neighbors Mr. Porter 8414 S. Dorchester
Lisa Esters 8520 S. Woodlawn
No Information (Region 1)
No Information (Region 6)
No Information (Region 6)
November 2002 (region 7)
February 2003 (Region 7)
Near Marynook Childhood Home
Romona & Lee Coombs 8566 S. Woodlawn Ms. Natasha J. Lewis 8640 S. University
Brogwley Russel 8557 S. University
Rufina Brown 8541 S. Dorchester
Beloved Wife Passed (04/2003)
Marynook Graduates Honoree List Joshua Martin 8626 S. Kenwood
Cameron A. Martin 8322 S. Dorchester
Larry Robert Davis 1219 E. 85th Street
Jonathan Coleman 8631 S. Kenwood
Robert A. Black (8th grade)
Miriam Canter Middle School (8th Grade)
Morgan Park (High School)
Jones College Prep (High School)
Matthew Perry Wharton 8535 S. Kenwood
Brent Mitchell (Deans List) 1209 E. 85th Street
Brooks A. Washington 1244 E. 85th St.
Jahahn Coleman 8631 S. Kenwood
LaSalle Language Academy (8th grade)
Providence St. Mel (High School)
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana (College)
Butler University (College)
If your honoree is not listed then his/her info was not submitted in time. We all expect great things from our future leaders.
- GOOD INTENTIONS
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
• 83RD STREET OVERPASS
83rd Street Dan Ryan overpass reopens. The $4.2 million viaduct reconstruction, which began in March 2002, rehabilitated the viaduct substructure and replaced the superstructure steel, deck, railings and sidewalks. CDOT, in cooperation with the Illinois Department of Transportation, last year launched a program to improve all viaducts over the Kennedy and Dan Ryan Expressways. The program will reconstruct more than 30 bridges along both expressways. The 83rd Street viaduct, like many others to be rebuilt, was constructed over 40+ years ago, and traffic, Chicago winters, and road salt have taken their toll on them. We are in a time of infrastructure renewal.
• 87TH & GREENWOOD STREET
If you have been avoiding going west on 87th street, because of the traffic backup at the all-way stop signs at 87th and Greenwood, steer clear no longer. The traffic light has been replaced. Keep your eyes on the 87th and Greenwood Street area for new developments and big changes.
Ms. Ellen Drake (president of the Welcome & Benevolence Committee) alerts the community to a fraud that is all over our community. You have done your spring-cleaning and now wish to responsibly donate those unused garments. STOP right there! Maybe you’ve noticed an ever-increasing number of GREEN clothing donation drop boxes popping up all over our south-side communities (87th & King Dr. / 83rd west of viaducts). What’s > Donald Bottoms 33 years old the big deal? These GREEN drop boxes are for Mr. Bottoms was in an automobile accident and is profit and not charitably affiliated at all. The currently recovering from severe head trauma. clothing is cleaned and shipped for resale over > The family members of those who seas. Try to donate to charities that can be lohave made their transitions. cally identified. Try to donate where you are offered a receipt. Let your good intentions help the needy and not the greedy.
July 2003
Marynook Homeowner’s Association
PAGE 3
Marynook is in the 4th Police District Designated area 412 Commander Lamont Tompson
CAPS -vs.- Targeted Response Team
The Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS) is about inclusion, and the engine of CAPS is the community. CAPS opens up communication between citizens and the police, between the police and City agencies. As CAPS is being heralded as one of the most effective policing programs the City has initiated, the murder rate in the City continues to climb. Chicago has the highest murder rate of any city in the entire country. Facing this reality, the Mayor has announced the introduction of a new 100-member special police adjunct titled: Targeted Response Team. This team (along with random police saturation) is intended to reach those areas of the city that have been designated as HOT-SPOTS. The problem is that for community policing to remain effective in marginal areas, a police presence must be maintained. These saturation type activities are designed with the knowledge that all available beat officers will be assigned to backup details instead of their regular patrolling. Word on the street is areas like Marynook that maintain a lower incidence of crime due to effective CAPS programs, may lose the minimal patrol coverage we have worked so hard to obtain. So, don’t say this issue doesn’t affect you. Attend the next CAPS meeting (Monday, July 21st) and let your voice be heard.
Recent Disturbing Events
MAY - JUNE
The park sign at the entrance of the 85th near Avalon or 84th S. Kimbark has had a hand gun discharged into it. Witness: Recalls hearing loud popping sounds in the park easement near where empty shell casings were found. Multiple vehicular vandalisms during torrential rain downpour in May. Six or more vehicles behind the town homes on 87th street where vandalized and items were stolen from the vehicles. Witness: NONE. Please always be aware of desirable items left in plain view in you vehicle. This thief did not attempt to steal any of the cars or remove any audio equipment. Drug exchange made in the 83rd S. Kimbark park easement. A car bearing temporary plates stopped briefly and dropped a package in the easement. Moments later a different car (also temporarily licensed) stopped and picked up this package. Witness: I witnessed this once last year, but never in the daytime. This was clearly a drug transaction. Please always consider your personal safety when dealing with unknown situations. Call the police if you see unfamiliar vehicles near the park easements beyond 11:30PM.
Unknown male knocking on doors after 1:00am and mumbling incoherently. Witness: He sounded drunk and kept asking for something. We Calling The Police told him to go away. Again, call the police if you see 911 calls go into a centralized database and or hear any unfamiliar people or vehicles. If you from these call statistics police coverage is con- have not already, please consider installing motion stantly being adjusted. If you call about a suspi- activated security lights. Crime hates light. cious person, make sure you provide all the Arson attempt. An unknown person attempted details necessary to make your call a priority. to light leaves and other debris at a homeowners Remember that a call of a man with a gun will basement door. Witness: It was a little after take priority over a call about a barking dog. We cannot emphasize enough that if you see 3:00am and the smoke alarm went off. We thought it anything suspicious, you must call the police. was malfunctioning but when I opened the basement This action might save a neighbor’s life or even door, the basement was full of smoke. In situations yours. Mr. N. Galloway has suggested that resi- where fire is involved, please remember your family’s dents buy disposable flash cameras. In some safety always comes first. Firefighters are trained to circumstances a camera is more effective than a handle these emergencies, but they can’t help until they are called. gun in deterring criminal activity.
July 2003
Marynook Homeowner’s Association
Citywide Alert
Should We, In Marynook Fear WNV? Mr. Dan Scanlon is more than just a little nervous now. The 78-year-old mayor of Morton Grove, Illinois, was bitten last year by a mosquito and it changed his life dramatically. It was August. Scanlon and his wife of 52 years were at an outdoor political event when he suddenly fell ill. He doesn' t even remember being bitten by a mosquito, but that' s what happened. "One of them bit me, and one of them bit my wife," he said. She died in the hospital shortly after being admitted. A mosquito carrying the West Nile Virus bit the Scanlons. WNV killed 284 people last year in the U.S. and spread throughout 44 previously unaffected states. Dan Scanlon is now a widower, and a shadow of his former self. He has lost 80 pounds, and this one mosquito bite has resulted in paralysis of his right arm and entire left side. Once you are infected, money and social status will not save you. There is no specific treatment for WNV infection or vaccine to prevent it. Your safety lies in prevention and awareness. To answer the title question, YES, Fear WNV!
How to Reduce or Avoid Bites
Avoid being outside at dusk and dawn Reduce and remove over grown weeds, tall grass, and bushes. Wear light-colored loose fitting long pants and long sleeved breathable shirts. Use approved mosquito repellents that have at lest 10% DEAT when outside. Make sure your doors and windows have tight-fitting screens without holes. -----------------------------------
O
Most WNV infected humans have no symptoms. A small portion develop mild symptoms that in-
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In 2002, 884 verified cases of WNV in humans were reported to the CDC in Illinois alone, leading the country in reported cases. Cook County leads the state in confirmed cases (648 of the 884 in IL). Your actual chances of becoming infected are better than your odds of winning the lottery. Cook County just reported our first verified dead crow in May of 2003. West Nile virus disease travels in several bird species, including black crows and small blue jays. If you find any dead birds or any animal carcass you should report them to the Department of Streets and Sanitation' s Bureau of Rodent Control by calling 311. Do not remove any dead animals yourself.
Check Your Yard
Eliminate Standing Water to Control Mosquitoes. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. In one tablespoon of water a single female mosquito can lay 300 eggs that will hatch in five days.
WNV History
Since West Nile virus (WNV) was first isolated in 1937, it has been known to cause infection and fevers in humans in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East and now our own backyards. Human and animal infections were not documented in the Western Hemisphere until 1999. In 1999 and 2000, outbreaks of WNV encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) were reported in persons living in the New York City metropolitan area, New Jersey, and Connecticut. In these two years, 83 human cases of West Nile illness were reported; 9 died. In 2001, human infection with WNV occurred in 10 states with 66 cases and 9 deaths. In 2002, WNV activity has spread to most eastern and mid-western states, with 113 cases and 5 deaths as of August 8,2002. WNV is transmitted to humans through mosquito bites. Mosquitoes become infected when they feed on infected birds that have high levels of WNV in their blood. Infected mosquitoes can then transmit WNV when they feed on humans or other animals. Illinois Department of Health (970) 221-6400
July 2003
Marynook Homeowner’s Association
PAGE 5
Thanks To All
Special thanks to Mr. Leroy Taylor. His persistence has paid off with the city agreeing to rebuild the park easements at 83rd S. Kimbark and 84th S. Kimbark. Demolition has already been completed and soon new walkways will be poured. For those who don’t know, Mr. Taylor is Marynook’s precinct captain. If you have question about the 8th Ward or how it works, Mr. Taylor is the ideal person to ask. Special recognition to Edward Davis & Larry Davis for helping to test-pilot the Kids Working in The Community Program. They have both worked very hard with the support and direction of their mother. Their efforts have truly helped.
Renewal Has Begun
Alderman Todd H. Stroger / 8th Ward 8th Ward Office:
8539 S. Cottage Grove Chicago, IL 60619
tstroger@cityofchicago.org
8th Ward Phone:
% (773) 874-3300
City Hall Office:
121 N. Lasalle St. Room 1111 Chicago, IL 60602
City Hall Phone:
312-744-3075 • 312-744-3098
Next Meetings July 2003 MHA Regional Lawn Judging July 13, 2003 MHA General Meeting
Agenda Items: - Speed Control options on 87th street - Marynook Marquees - Railroad Fencing Community Hazard - Marynook Directory - New MHA Notices - Block Parties (by region) - CAPS meeting July 21 - Youth Activities Needed - Catch basins (cataloging and classifying) - Summer time locking of park easements - Town home sub-committee development (39 homes with three command areas)
Everywhere we look in Marynook, Spring gives way to renewal. We see neighbors helping each other. In this aspect the community reflects the Association and vise versa. Your Association is also in a renewal period. There is an effort under way to identify community activists and others concerned about Marynook. A great man once said, MHA CONTACT INFO: “When we stand together no one can stand MARYNOOK HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCATION against us”. Submit you suggestions and/or MHA Address: ) P.O. BOX 19018 / CHICAGO, IL. 60619 E-mail: questions and help rebuild our lines of comnicholasgalloway@yahoo.com munication. MHA Phone: % (773) 734-5356 The Marynook Homeowners’ Association is in a Regional Directors (Get To Know Them): transition period. All new executive members Region 1 Ms. Lynette Adams * 8424 S Dorchester Region 2 Mr. Eric McRoberts * 8425 S Kenwood have been elected. Introducing: President: VicePresident: Treasurer: Secretary:
Mr. Nicholas Galloway Mr. Eric McRoberts Ms. Gloria Hanna Ms. Lynette Adams
IF YOU DON’T VOLEENTER SOON YOU MIGHT MISS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP REBUILD THE MHA
Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6 Region 7 Region 8 Region 9 Region 10
Mrs. Cheryl Strong Ms. Gloria Hanna Mr. John Hamblet Mr. John Williams Ms. Gewn Robinson Mrs. Kathleen Waller Mr. Albert Coleman Ms. Evelyn Lewis
* 8415 S Kimbark * 8510 S Dorchester * 1134 E 85th Street * 8546 S Woodlawn * 8611 S University * 1241 E 85th Place * 8631 S Kenwood * 1330 E 87th Street
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