Letters to the Editor, Evanston Review

Tendam for 6th Ward

With just a few weeks left until one of the most important elections in recent Evanston history, I am supporting Mark Tendam for alderman of the 6th Ward.

I have been fortunate to serve as the 6th Ward alderman myself, as well as two terms as mayor of Evanston, so I know what it takes to handle this job. That's why I believe Tendam is the best-qualified candidate.

He'll bring many fresh ideas to the City Council as it wrestles with the current budget crisis. He's also the person to most effectively lead the ward when we finally do begin to pull our- selves out of the current financial mess.

Tendam serves on the boards of both Leadership Evanston and the McGaw YMCA, and has been actively serving the communi- ty on the city's Sign Review Board for the past two years. I'm impressed too that when it comes to volunteer time, Mark spends his at places like BEHIV, Northlight Theatre, the Youth Job Center and the Public Service Challenge.

Whether you vote in person or absentee, I hope 6th Ward resi- dents will agree with me and mark their ballot on April 7 for Mark Tendam.

Jay Lytle
Evanston

I am supporting Mark Tendam for Sixth Ward Alderman. Over the last four years I have witnessed Mark's commitment to our community through his many activities and his willingness to go out of his way to gather constructive input on how to improve Evanston's future. Most importantly, Mark has made a commitment to serve as our Alderman on a full-time basis. I encourage you to vote for Mark Tendam on April 7.

Martin Norkett
Evanston

I am writing to express my enthusiastic support of Mark Tendam's candidacy for Alderman of the 6th Ward. I have worked with Mark for years, both in his role on the board of the Democratic Party of Evanston as well as on a number of political campaigns. He as always been a joy to work with: reliable, brilliant, efficient, and well-organized. He is a clear thinker and an extremely knowledgeable member of our community. Most of all, whether in constructing a graphic design, organizing a voter registration drive, or developing political strategy, Mark is a problem solver with a knack for finding pragmatic solutions.

Daniel Biss
Evanston

My Message to the 6th Ward

The time has come to change the way we manage our City. In this time of economic crisis, Evanston and the 6th Ward need strategic leadership. We need a City Council that thinks creatively, works collaboratively and focuses all of its energies on keeping our City safe, secure and vibrant. We must reject the notion that we can limp from budget to budget, line item to line item and elect a Council that is capable of managing the present in a way that ensures our future. We must also plan for the day when the economic crisis allows us to return to a more normal way of life in this city.

Evanston needs to improve efficiencies and cut unnecessary spending. But to do this effectively, we must prioritize City services. That means focusing first on identifying services essential to health and safety and ensuring there is sufficient resource to continue providing those services indefinitely. Only then can we undertake the more challenging process of building a consensus across wards about how best to provide remaining services to Evanston residents.

Job 1 for your next 6th Ward Alderman will be soliciting and listening to your views using some new technologies available today, in addition to enhancing a few old ones. When I’ve heard from the people of the Ward on essential services and many other critical issues, I’ll be much better prepared to carry our views into the Council chamber.

If you entrust me with this role, I will, unlike my opponents, be your full time Alderman, available when you need me. I plan to establish regular office hours so you can meet with me face to face on any important issue because I believe responding to your needs and the needs of the City should be my first and only professional responsibility.

I believe that I am uniquely qualified to act as the voice of the 6th Ward for the next four years. For the past 14 years, my primary work has been community activism and philanthropy, so I have the experience and personal network necessary to get things done.

I’ve served on the Boards of BEHIV, the McGaw YMCA, the Democratic Party of Evanston and the Evanston Community Foundation’s Leadership Evanston program. I was also appointed by Mayor Morton to serve on the City’s Sign Review and Appeals Board.

This work regularly immersed me with the City and the current Council to learn first-hand what does and does not work. My idea for establishing regular office hours, for example, is a direct result of my dissatisfaction with our current ineffective and unhelpful “Citizen Comment” procedures. Now more than ever the Council needs to establish a two-way conversation with Evanston’s residents.

I want to be part of the conversation, but more importantly, I want to begin many new conversations with all the people of the 6th Ward.

I hope you will support me on April 7th. If you’ll be out of town remember to vote early beginning March 16th. There are no special requirements for early voting.

Sincerely,

Mark Tendam

Click here for a direct link to the City’s early voting procedures at the Civic Center.

Click here to read more about Mark Tendam’s positions and plans should you elect him to City Council.