MUST READ

Report from 24/7 North of Howard Watchers, on yesterdays Chicago Park District Board of Commissioners meeting.

Here is the 'letter' sent by certified mail to Tim Mitchell by S.O.C.C.:

Timothy Mitchell, Superintendent August 7, 2008
Chicago Park District
541 N. Fairbanks
Chicago, IL 60611

Dear Superintendent Mitchell,
The Rogers Park Community is very pleased that the Gale Park Community Center has finally opened and is staffed by Chicago Park District personnel. However, we are still concerned that 49th ward Alderman Joe Moore continues to pursue, along with the Chicago Park District, using Park District money to fund programming for the Boys and Girls Club at the Gale Community Center.
In an August 4, 2008 e-mail to 49th Ward residents, Moore stated, "In the end, Park District officials simply did not have the stomach for a fight and decided instead to pursue a significantly scaled down version of the original Boys and Girls Club proposal. Rather than subsidize a permanent year-round Boys and Girls Club presence in Rogers Park, the Park District now says it may be willing to subsidize a summer program in 2009."
Again, the Rogers Park Community SAYS NO to using taxpayer monies to fund this, or any other private organization in the Gale Park Community Center.We want assurances from you that this will not happen and are requesting an official letter, addressed to the Gale Park Advisory Council, with a cc: to Gery Chico, Alderman Joe Moore and S.O.C.C., clearly stating that the Chicago Park District will no longer pursue any type of funding for, or joint occupancy, program, or services with the Boys and Girls Club in the Gale Community Center. They, of course, can request scheduling the periodic use of Community Center space, like any other organization.
We further request that this letter be sent by registered mail and received by the Gale Park Advisory Council President, Eva McCann, 1538 W. Jonquil Terrace, Chicago, IL 60626, by August 19, so that she may present it to Council members and the community, at the monthly Council meeting.
Thank you for your timely attention and response to this matter.
Sincerely,

SOCC Steering Committee: Maryon BanksToni DuncanSr Cecilia FandelDon GordonMichael HarringtonMichael LuckenbachEva McCannJasson PerezCarla Tomino

Cc: Gale Park Advisory Council

S.O.C.C. A Rogers Park Community Organization
7712 North Paulina Street, Chicago, Illinois 60626