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Forum Post: Whose Budget? Their Budget.

Posted 10 years ago on May 17, 2013, 3:53 p.m. EST by GirlFriday (17435)
This content is user submitted and not an official statement

This is the third installment of “Direct Democracy in Chicago's 5th Ward,” a 5-part series following the participatory voting process in the 5th ward. This series is supported by a grant from the Local Reporting Initiative of the Chicago Community Trust. Read the first and second parts of the series here and here.

“I’ve been around here forever,” says Candace White, standing outside of Gary Comer College Prep in Chicago’s Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood. “And we’ve never been allowed to vote on how the money is spent.”

Until now, that is. White is visibly happy, having just voted for her six favorite projects as part of the 5th ward’s participatory budgeting program (PB5). This year, for the first time, ward residents have had the opportunity to decide how their alderman’s “menu money”—up to $1.3 million for small infrastructure projects—will be spent. Since last fall, volunteer community representatives have whittled down over one hundred ideas to 13 specific, feasible projects, which run the gamut from public murals to sidewalk repairs.

http://inthesetimes.com/article/14970/the_5th_ward_votes

15 Comments

15 Comments


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[-] 3 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

Interesting article in compliment of which, I append :

fiat lux ...

[-] 2 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Thanks, Shadz.

[-] 2 points by shadz66 (19985) 10 years ago

It's my pleasure and privilege to do so, as it is to also ask : ''Why Public Banking ?''

''Public banking frees the credit potential of public revenues and then harnesses this public wealth to create sustainable, abundant and affordable credit. This credit -- our credit -- supports our economy and citizens if it is then used to build economic capacity (think renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, etc. -- things that private banks do not fund).'' from :

Thanx for another excellent forum-post 'GF' & solidarity.

pax et lux ...

[-] 2 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

This is a great story!!!

People actually getting a say on what gets done.

"The popularity of the street lights, despite the fact that they cost more than twice the amount of the next most expensive project, points to a desire for anything that will increase safety in the ward’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Mary Knight, who lives south of Jackson Park, says, “I’m 61 years old and I can’t even walk the streets. They have to do something, because the violence is ridiculous.”The popularity of the street lights, despite the fact that they cost more than twice the amount of the next most expensive project, points to a desire for anything that will increase safety in the ward’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Mary Knight, who lives south of Jackson Park, says, “I’m 61 years old and I can’t even walk the streets. They have to do something, because the violence is ridiculous.”The popularity of the street lights, despite the fact that they cost more than twice the amount of the next most expensive project, points to a desire for anything that will increase safety in the ward’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Mary Knight, who lives south of Jackson Park, says, “I’m 61 years old and I can’t even walk the streets. They have to do something, because the violence is ridiculous.”The popularity of the street lights, despite the fact that they cost more than twice the amount of the next most expensive project, points to a desire for anything that will increase safety in the ward’s most dangerous neighborhoods. Mary Knight, who lives south of Jackson Park, says, “I’m 61 years old and I can’t even walk the streets. They have to do something, because the violence is ridiculous.”

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

I think this is great. There really is no losing in this. It's beneficial for everyone.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

They should be trying this sort of thing in Detroit.

The usurper isn't likely to try anything of the sort though.

I wonder if he has any plans to clean up all the oil coke?

They're still dumping it, you know.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Probably not on either account. Detroit would have to have some type of money coming in. Somebody give up local power? Not a chance.

I wonder how long it would have taken, for this ward specifically, to acquire street lamps if they had not taken this route.

[-] 1 points by shoozTroll (17632) 10 years ago

http://occupywallst.org/forum/koch-coke-and-the-detriot-river/

You likely missed this as the trolls are busy.

At least it's getting some national attention.

Please note that they name the invisible Koch brother.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

I want to address that but I am on my way out. So, I'm not ignoring it.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

1 mill - it is a start - small money Direct Democracy - Still - it - IS - a start.

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Yes. Yes, it is.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

U positive individual U {;-]) I knew U would see it. A door cracking open - to Direct Democracy.

Ur sooooHottttt

[-] 1 points by GirlFriday (17435) 10 years ago

Let's not get crazy.

[-] 1 points by DKAtoday (33802) from Coon Rapids, MN 10 years ago

OK - a door - loose on it's hinges.

Ur sooooHottttt {;-])

[-] 0 points by Nationwide (-93) 10 years ago

The unions and Obama will never allow this. It takes too much control away from them.