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THE STAR: SUNDAY, MARCH 24, 1985East Heights mayor(Continued from Page A-l) concerns and views, I decided to become a candidate for village mayor. We need an aggressive, organized effort, seeking the cooperation of the village government, business, and community to attract and keep much needed business and industry in our community.“The village of East Chicago Heights potentially has a great deal to offer business and industry and we must let them know we are here and on the move.“I AM A candidate for mayor, because I feel that now is when East Chicago Heights desires and needs a change of leadership. I have been well acquainted with the citizens of this village, the operations of the government and the problems confronting us.“I hope before long I can shake the hand of every citizen of East Chicago Heights, from Cottage Grove avenue to Deer creek. You and I have a great deal in common. We have a rich heritage to live up to and a great future to strive for.“I am proud to be a candidate for mayor — humble in the honor, grateful for the trust, appreciative of the challenge and confident that with your help, East Chicago Heights will progress and that you and I will progress with it. As your mayor, I pledge to you, the citizens. 100 percent of my time and energy.“Your cooperation, your ideas and your suggestions are greatly needed. We can go just as far with East Chicago Heights as we will. Let’s go forward — together.” Stone concludedJAMES WILLIAMSJames Williams, a 48-year resident of the village, heads the Community Awareness party. He is married and the father of three daughters and a member of Christ Temple church in Chicago Heights. A Bloom high school graduate, he attended Roosevelt university School of Commerce and served three years in the U. S. Navy.He has worked for Armour and Co for 16 years, is a licensed real estate broker and currently serves on the Bloom township trustees of schools board Also he is president of the United Way of Chicago Heights (which also serves the communities of Steger, East Chicago Heights and South Chicago Heights He is also the owner of Woodlawn LaunderetteWilliams is also a member of the Chicago Heights Toastmasters club, serves on the lay advisory board for St. James Hospital medical center. Salvation Army board and vice president of the Rotary club of Chicago Heights.IN HIS CAMPAIGN statement. Williams said:“The Community Awareness party is committed to creating a responsive-type government, one that has a high regard for the quality of its citizens’ lives.“We believe that each individual makes a difference and we shall ever strive to arouse citizen awareness and action. We shall encourage citizens to take an active interest in proposals presented to our planning commission, zoning board and all matters under consideration by our village board“Community awareness means keeping abreast of the village budget and hearing residents concerns if they feel money is being appropriated inefficientlyCalvin Stone“COMMUNITY AWARENESS means citizens attending village meetings, getting acquainted with the people, serving as village officials and citizens making known their ideas for improving and maintaining our community.All village meetings will be open to the public and we will encourage citizen attendance and participation.“It is our hope that citizens will become so aware and interested in our village affairs that there will be a surplus of citizens requesting appointments to local commissions and when the time comes, eager to run for elective office.“We promise government with awareness, fairness and progress for the total community“WE EXPECT active community awareness and participation by all of our citizens, to get the job done“We shall diligently seek outside informed assistance and resources to aid us in problem solving. Our main thrust will be problem solving This is what we seek to do for our village. Williams concluded.SAUL BECKIncumbent Mayor Saul Beck, seeking his fourth term as mayor, has been a resident of the village for 42 years and resides at 1501 East 13th place. He is married and the father of five children He is a member of First Union Missionary Baptist church of East Chicago Heights.A graduate of Bloom high school, he attended Chicago Technical college for two years. He is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers He has been an electrical journeyman for 25 years. Also he is a member of the board of directors of the Illinois Municipal leagueIn his statement. Mayor Beck said:“AS YOUR MAYOR for the past 12 years, I have served you with the most progressive approach to making our village a better place to live.I would like to take you back over the past 12 years, to give you a better insight as to the village's past and present accomplishments“Twelve years ago, when you elected me and the present administration, the village was broke, without any credit and had only one squad car With the help of my administration, we were successful in arranging with local banks to borrow on tax anticipation warrants (TAWs) like other municipalities and through joint purchasing with the Department of General Services of the stateJames Williamsof Illinois, we have purchased and maintained numerous cars.“The village’s detentjon facility was condemned by the state, and with great effort and perseverance we received a federal grant to build a new detention facility, along with a new village hall, police and fire station. These facilities cost approximately $14 million, at no cost to the taxpayers (through local property taxes).“SOME OF OUR oldest neighborhoods were without adequate water and sewer lines; but with the help of Community Development Block Grant funds we have been successful in installing lines throughout the neighborhoods.The latest improvements that have taken place in the village are the street improvement of Woodlawn avenue from 14th street to Eighth place A grant for $12 million from the Department of Transportation along with the South Suburban Mayors and Managers, enabled us to make this improvement.“Our village received grants from the Illinois Department of Conservation and CDBG which were used to build a large playground at 13th and Ellis avenue, a swimming pool and basketball courts in several locations. Our bathhouse was completed in the fall of 1984, and the pool will be in operation the summer of 1985.“Presently, our greatest concern in the village is the water system We are making great improvements and you should by now see some of the results• “WE HAVE HIRED an expert in the business of servicing wells, installation of chemical pumps, and well water• “The village is preparing an application for a grant from the Farm-Saul Beckers Home administration to improve our system.• “Our fire hydrant drain program will start April 1, which will help eliminate stagnant water throughout the system• “Sauk Village, Lynwood and East Chicago Heights, have been reviewing the possibilites of the three villages preparing documents to apply for lake water, which will be purchased from the Hammond water works. (Lynwood is already doing this.)• “WE MUST PAY our bills.With a tax base of less than $7million, this administration has worked hard to maintain the village services without a tax increase to the citizen. We will continue our effort to develop a better tax base, through a strong Economic Development programAs a member of the Illinois Municipal league board of directors, co-chairman of Human Resources with the National League of Cities and chairman of the Illinois Black Mayors, I’ve met several state elected officials, state department directors, and gained many friends throughout the country that has been an asset to the village of East Chicago Heights, and keeps our administration posted on all federal and state programs available“My first love has been my family and church, my second love the village of East Chicago Heights. It’s not time for electing someone who has to learn the job; it’s time to support a mayor that knows the job and has proven that he can make the village work“Let’s not go backward Elect the candidates that have the expertise, and we will continue to grow for a better East Chicago Heights, today and tomorrow. Beck concluded
Newspaper Details
Chicago Heights Star
Chicago Heights, Illinois, US
Sun, Mar 24, 1985
Page 14
Full Page
Clipped by
Patuxent R.
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