These changes won't happen overnight. There is no magic potion for us to swallow. We must regardless of our political leanings let our voices be heard.
That said, right now, I know more about the Presidential candidates and there politics than I do about my own local candidates. This is an error I intend to correct(for myself at least).
I sat down with Anthony Coleman, a candidate for Mayor of North Chicago, IL. Like myself, he still lives in his hometown and knows that a lot of work needs to be done.
Anthony Coleman, tell our readers about yourself:
Well, I was born and raised in North Chicago, IL. I am a third generation Coleman; I’ve had family members that have attended North Chicago High school.My Mom, my relatives, my aunties, my cousins--they are all graduates of North Chicago High School.
What year did you yourself graduate?
I personally graduated in 1993.
I’ve been in the community all of my life. I have a lovely wife and three children that are currently in the school system.
Currently, I am a business owner located in North Chicago. This is actually my second company. I was one of the first minority contractors for Comcast. I was with Comcast for approximately ten years. I’ve currently been involved with North Chicago Real Estate for the last three years.
What led you to believe you should run for Mayor of North Chicago with all your years living here and what you have seen?
Well, most definitely, I will not take credit for this one--I was being obedient and God has opened my eyes to some things and some changes that needed to come forth in North Chicago.
I most definitely think that I am a strong candidate for Mayor of North Chicago, due to the fact that I have been born and raised in North Chicago and I have seen the direction of our city. And I believe that I would most definitely be interested in making sure North Chicago is back to where it was when I was growing up as a child.
What are some of the good things you remember about North Chicago, from childhood to your teen years to now?
I remember a village, I remember neighborhoods, I remember grocery stores and candy stores like Mr. Whitehead’s, Mr. Wilson’s, Hillary’s (Ribs and Barbeque), Misses Georgia’s which was Ms. Harvey’s.
I remember playing on the street corners and playing football in the streets. I remember going to the parks and playing basketball at Foss Park. And, I remember, just being a kid and not having to worry about some of the negatives that are currently going on in our community.
If elected, what key changes do you want to bring about?
Key changes that I would like to see brought about in North Chicago are, well, when I was child I remember playing on the streets and just being a kid. [I want] to make sure that are streets are safe again. And also that our schools are schools and back at the top, like when I was an alumni at North Chicago I was most definitely proud to have been from North Chicago.
Bringing businesses back into our community is most definitely a change that I would like to see. I remember Sheridan Road when there were a lot of businesses there. I remember Jewels; I worked there as a kid. I remember the grocery store, we most definitely need another grocery store. That is most definitely a huge change that needs to come.
I remember the activities at Foss Park. The dances, the swimming pool; I would like to bring some of those activities back to our community and make it a little bit more child friendly.
In your opinion, why is it important for citizens to be more involved in their community?
Well, actually, the community belongs to the citizens. And with citizens involvement you can bring key changes to our community as far as with the elected officials and making sure that the community is moving in the direction it would like to live in.
By attending meetings, and voicing your opinions at school board meetings and Foss Park meetings-- an actually getting out there and voicing your opinions.
I think those things with citizen’s involvement you can bring about positive changes within our community.
Right now, the difficult choices have to be made for ourselves and for the betterment of North Chicago. For better or worse, it is the city we call home. No matter who you vote for in the coming elections or where you are politically in this community, come November, please let your voice be heard. www.facebook.com/electanthonycoleman
For more about this candidate, you can email him directly at electanthonycoleman@gmail.com .
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