Dear Neighbor,
Election Day, Saturday, April 10th, is fast approaching. And, no, there aren’t any politicians on the ballot. Instead, you will get to vote for the ward improvement projects you would most like to see implemented this year.
This is all a part of my Participatory Budgeting process, and the projects on the ballot were all proposed by your 49th Ward neighbors.
Get a close-up view of the project proposals at a special 49th WARD PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING EXHIBITION at the Mess Hall Gallery, 6932 N. Glenwood. The exhibits were put together by the neighborhood committees that developed the proposals.
The projects are on display from now until Election Day. The exhibition hours are as follows:
Monday, March 29th, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 31st, 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 1st, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 3rd, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 4th, 12:00-4:00 p.m.
Monday, April 5th, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, April 6th, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, April 7th, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Thursday, April 8th, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, April 9th, 4:00-8:00 p.m.
The Mess Hall will also be hosting a special FILM SCREENING: Beyond Elections: Redefining Democracy in the Americas, Tuesday, March 30th, 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The film documents the implementation ofPARTICIPATORY BUDGETING in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 1989, as well as the formation of tens of thousands of self-organized communal councils in Venezuela and the emergence of a “recuperated factory movement” in Argentina after its economic collapse in 2001. A discussion will follow the screening.
That’s not the only documentary on participatory budgeting, however. Two 49th Ward residents–David Simpson and Ines Sommer–were so excited by our process that they volunteered their own time and efforts to produce a fabulous seven-minute documentary on the participatory budgeting process in the 49th Ward. Check it out and share it with your neighbors!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01bouQJK25Q&feature=email
Finally, our experiment in democracy will work only if 49th Ward residents come out to vote. Help us get the word out. We have yard signs, window posters and fliers that urge people to come out to vote on April 10th. Get a sign for your yard or window, or help us distribute fliers to your friends and neighbors. Stop by my 49th Ward Service Office (7356 N. Greenview) during regular business hours to pick up the signs and fliers or reply to this e-mail with your address and phone number and we will deliver the signs and/or fliers to your home.
My thanks to the hundreds of 49th Ward volunteers who have helped to make democracy happen in the 49th Ward!
Sincerely,
Joe Moore
P.S. Don’t forget to vote on Saturday, April 10th, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Chicago Math and Science Academy, 7212 N. Clark. Please bring proof of residency (e.g., driver’s license, state id, signed lease, etc.).
Out of town or working that day? Vote early at the 49th Ward Service Office, 7356 N. Greenview, beginning Monday, April 5th. The office will be open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (open until 7 p.m. on Wednesday).