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Dear Friends,
I hope this newsletter finds you well. If you were unable to make it to this month's 2nd Ward meeting, below is a recap of what you missed.
Please share this information! My goal is to keep all neighbors in our ward informed about upcoming events and opportunities they can benefit from. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please feel free to contact me directly at pbraithwaite@cityofevanston.org, or 847-801-9386.
A special thank you is due to the guests and residents of the 2nd Ward who came to our meeting this month, including Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons, Evanston Police Chief Richard Eddington, 2nd Ward Problem Solving Team (PST) Officer Reggie Napier, Economic Development Specialist Charliese Agnew, Environmental Health Practitioner Ike Ogbo, and Dr. Jazmine Dillard.
For next month's 2nd Ward meeting on Thursday, November 12, we'll recap 2015 and complete a goal setting session for 2016. I would like to extend a special invitation to all block club captains and representatives to attend this meeting. Evanston City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz will be there to participate in the discussion as we look forward to 2016. Refreshments will be provided at the meeting.
I ask that you please spread the word in the community about this newsletter. If you or someone you know would like to be added to this newsletter, please follow the link: cityofevanston.org/newsletter.
Take care,
Ald. Peter Braithwaite
“We Are One Community”
Thank you to City of Evanston Environmental Health Practitioner Ike Ogbo, who stopped by our 2nd Ward meeting to provide an update on the City's pest control efforts and to share strategies for managing the rodent population.
Inspector Ogbo provided a "Rodent Protection Checklist" to help ensure that conditions that encourage rats are not present in your area. Checklist items include:
- Keep all garbage in closed containers
- Replace damaged garbage cans and covers
- Cover all food sources. This includes dog and cat food, birdseed, and water.
- Pick up after your pet
- Remove wood piles, weeds and other piles of debris
- Repair screen and garage doors
- Close any openings to your home or garage
- Report the presence of rats to the Health Department by calling/texting 847-448-4311
Controlling the rodent population requires a community-wide effort; please share this information with your neighbors.
In the last few years, the City has engaged the
services of a pest control company to assist with baiting
and monitoring due to the increased number of rodent complaints. The City will
inspect and treat private homes free of charge as long as a release of
liability form is submitted to the Health and Human Services Department to grant it permission to
inspect and treat the properties.
For more information about pest control, including the Health & Human Services Department's Controlling Rats guide, please visit cityofevanston.org/pestcontrol.
 Assistant City Manager Marty Lyons attended our 2nd Ward meeting to provide an overview of the proposed budget for the City’s 2016 Fiscal Year, which runs from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016. The total proposed budget is $294,710,257 and includes a balanced General Fund. The budget includes a proposed two percent increase in the City’s share of Evanston property taxes to accommodate additional recommended spending on Police and Fire pensions. There are no other proposed tax or fee increases. More details about the 2016 Proposed Budget can be found in the City's press release.
I encourage you to view the 2016 Proposed Budget document and budget calendar online at cityofevanston.org/budget. The budget will be formally presented to the City Council on Monday, October 19, 7 p.m., in the James C. Lytle City Council Chambers of the Morton Civic Center. I invite all residents to attend a public hearing on the budget on Saturday, October 24, at 9 a.m., in the Council Chambers.
 Evanston Police Chief Richard Eddington attended our 2nd Ward meeting to provide an update on the Department’s new Diversity and Inclusion Workshop Series with Dr. Gilo Kwesi Logan, President of Logan
Consulting Services. Goals of the training series include enhancing community policing in Evanston and strengthening community/police partnerships.
Dr. Logan, a fifth generation Evanstonian, recently provided the City's Human Services Committee with a detailed overview of the program, including objectives, metrics, values and a program timeline. I encourage you to view his presentation for more information about this important training.
 2nd Ward Problem Solving Team (PST) Officer Reggie Napier attended our 2nd Ward meeting to provide a recap of the 2015 summer, July to October 2015.
- Of the nine burglary attempts reported in the 2nd Ward during the time period, seven targeted garages, with thieves attempting to steal bicycles.
- There was no identifiable pattern to thefts in the 2nd Ward from July to October 2015. Most incidents targeted bicycles or landscaping equipment.
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There were four reported robberies. Two suspects have been arrested in relation to one of the incidents.
Officer Napier encourages residents to find up-to-date crime information at crimereports.com.
 I encourage you to attend an upcoming public forum to learn how Erie Evanston/Skokie Health Center is helping children in need get a healthy start in life. The event, "Helping Evanston Families Raise Healthy Kids," will be held on Tuesday, October 20, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at 1285 Hartrey Ave. Please RSVP to rsvp@eriefamilyhealth.org or call 312-432-7440.
 I encourage all to attend the upcoming presentation, "Interacting With the Police: Know Your Rights and Resources," on Wednesday, October 21, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., at the Levy Senior Center. The event will consist of a moderated panel discussion followed by a question and answer session with the audience. The program is sponsored by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Chi Omega Chapter. I look forward to seeing you there. View guests and agenda >>>
 The Youth Job Center is hosting a job fair at the Levy Senior Center, 300 Dodge Ave., on Thursday, October 22, from 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. I encourage all job seekers 16 years and older to attend. Applications will be available on site and participating employers will be conducting on-the-spot interviews. For more information, contact the Youth Job Center at 847-864-5627.
 On Saturday, October 24, from noon to 3 p.m., please join me for the "Evanston Peace Party" outside of the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, located at Church St. and Dodge Ave. The family-friendly outdoor event will promote peace and safety in our community, and will feature food, live music, face painting, an interactive game truck, dancing and much more. The event is free and open to all ages.
 There are plenty of fun fall festivities for all ages in Evanston this season. From the Downtown Evanston Farmers' Market's Fall Festival, to the 2nd annual Zombie Scramble, to Robert Crown Community Center's Halloween Skate, there's something for everyone. I encourage you to visit the City's webpage, cityofevanston.org/halloween, to see a listing of upcoming events in our community.
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