...And That's
My Opinion©
By Sandy Goldman
The Rogers Park Community
Curmudgeon
The Air Rings
With...
The origin of the sirens began many
centuries ago with the hero of Greek mythology - Odysseus. Many will recall that
in Homer's epic tale, Odysseus plugged the ears of his sailors with wax, then
tied himself to the mast of his ship in order to resist the bewitching calls of
the sirens and avoid destruction on the rocks. It is believed that this
occurred somewhere near modern Sorrento, Italy along the Mediterranean Sea
In another legend the Argonauts, sailing
aboard the Argo, escaped destruction because Orpheus sang so sweetly he drowned
out the provocative siren calls.
In Germany, there is the Lorelei, the
siren of the Rhine River near St. Goarshausen. The sounds from the Lorelei
would draw sailing men close to the rocks where they would be smashed and
destroyed.
Here in Rogers Park, on Marshfield
Avenue, Carl Steward has discovered a modern version of the sirens. Although
thoroughly mechanized (after all, this is soon to be the 21st century) and not
as beautiful as the sounds of the ancients, they can never the less draw men to
destruction. For the tale of Mr. Steward's dilemma, read on; wax in his ears
might have produced better results.
September 10, 1999
William Higginson
Chicago Equity Fund
1 E. Superior Street #604
Chicago, IL. 60611
Dear Mr. Higginson:
It is my understanding that the Chicago
Equity Fund is the ultimate owner and manager of the apartment building located
at 1614-22 W. Jonquil/7707 N. Marshfield. The building is currently being
managed by IMC at 7600 N. Bosworth.
Recently, the above mentioned building was
outfitted with outside mounted security cameras and speakers. On the surface, I
thought that this was a good idea; the added security was a welcome relief
around these really troubled buildings.
On this past Monday, September 6, 1999, I
returned home from a really enjoyable weekend in Indiana. Upon my return I was
surprised to hear loud static being broadcasted from the speakers. The volume
of the static varied in such a way that it was impossible to sit on my patio,
because of the annoying background noise. I live in the middle of the block of
the 7700 block of North Marshfield. At the writing of this letter there is
still static being broadcast over the speakers. Although now it is
intermittent, and of varying decibels. This has been occurring for a full week.
On Tuesday morning (September 7th), I called
the number listed on the IMC sign in front of the building, and received a
recorded message inviting me to leave a message, which I did. I then called the
local office (found by calling the IMC office on the southside of Chicago),
located at 7600 N. Bosworth. Andrea Jackson answered the phone, and I asked if
she was aware that the speakers on the Jonquil building were broadcasting loud
static. She indicated that she was aware of it, and that there was nothing she
could do about it right now. I then asked if there is an emergency number that
community residents could use to contact IMC personal after hours should a
problem arise? Her response was NO..you can call this office and leave a
message and we will address the problems when the office opens the next day. I
then asked, "You are telling me that community residents have no recourse
regarding problems in your buildings in off hours?" Her response again
was, "You can call this number, leave a message and we will address the
problem the next day".
On Wednesday evening, I called the same
number (773-743-2300) to report the same loud static problem. This time I got
the answering service, I believe it is Reliable Answering Service. I talked to
a young lady named BeBe. I asked if they were aware of the loud static from the
speakers. She indicated that this was the answering service, and that my
problem was not an emergency; therefore, she would not page the manager on
duty. Additionally, since I was not a resident of any of IMC properties, I was
not eligible to report a problem or ask that a manager be paged.
I am sure by now you can see where this is
going...this is my complaint.
I find it very disturbing that after a week,
I am forced to listen to loud static being broadcast over these speakers. It is
even more disturbing that IMC would erect these types of walls around
themselves when they are managing property in my neighborhood. The buildings
that IMC is managing have a history of being problem buildings, and management
companies that are not responsive to the surrounding community. I called with a
simple complaint regarding noise. This was my first attempt to contact IMC
regarding a problem surrounding their properties. I am not pleased with the
response.
These buildings are in distress, they have
major tenant problems, erecting cameras and speakers that are seemingly
unmanned does not provide a well managed building. Nor does it inspire local
community members to rally around any of your efforts. Alienating surrounding
property owners and residents does not present a company or organization that
has the community interest in mind. If the intent is to simply warehouse
low-income tenants with minimal supervision, with no regard for the surrounding
residents and community...this is a problem. If the intent is to cut cost and
run these buildings on a tight budget...this is a problem. If the intent
is to neutralize any community complaints by
being unreachable and unresponsive...this is a problem. If this is your and
IMC’s effort to manage property in this neighborhood...this is a problem.
It is painfully obvious to me and all of the
residents of this community that these cameras are not manned and the speaker
situation is not correctable in a timely fashion. It is also painfully obvious
that we have yet another management company in this neighborhood that is aloof,
uncaring and unwilling to address simple concerns of the surrounding residents.
The speakers are still broadcasting static.
Sleepless and really pissed-off North of
Howard,
Carl Steward
More to come in future columns about Mr.
Steward's encounter with the Marshfield Avenue siren calls. If Carl was
Odysseus, he would have to tie himself to the mast.
*****
In
Other Media News
The Chicago Tribune recently (Monday
September 20th) wrote about the destruction, by unscreened tenants, of some
of the newly constructed low-rise replacement housing at Henry Horner
CHA Buildings. It centered particularly on those at West Maypole Ave. The
article states, " The problems at Horner raise perplexing questions about
whether architecture or more stubborn cultural pathologies are at the heart of
public housing woes". Yeah, right!
*****
On
The Internet
An E-Mailer reports that the management
firm of Urban Residential Services does not do criminal background checks of
prospective tenants. They say that such checks are too expensive. The E-Mailer
says that such checks may be done for as little as $6.00. Instead, the firm
relies on security cameras and eviction proceedings to quell any problems.
Urban Residential Services and the
ubiquitous Jay Johnson, are the partners/developers of Gateway Shopping Center,
the Howard Theatre project and the proposed 1528 Morse Senior Housing project.
In addition they own and/or manage scores of Rogers Park apartments. Does
anyone wonder where displaced residents who fear criminal background checks
might find an apartment?
*****
Also
On The Internet
Jim Stoller E-Mailed the following
letter.
Saturday, October
02, 1999 1:52 PM
Please note: Jay Johnson's company is Urban Residential Services
Company and is not in any way connected with my company:
Urban Properties, Inc. Since his company changed names there
has been much confusion. I have spent many years building a
quality real estate firm, and now find our reputation being damaged.
In the future, please refer to Jay Johnson's company by its correct
name.
Thank you,
URBAN PROPERTIES, INC.
Jim Stoller
President
*****
In
The Community
On Sept 29th, Alderman Joe Moore (49th)
held a meeting to hear the various community visions for some of the former
Peoples Housing buildings. They are located at 1714 W. Jonquil, 7715-21
Hermitage and 7732-42 N. Paulina. Holding his hand figuratively, were
representatives from Chicago Equity Fund, the omnipresent Hispanic Housing who
are on target to becoming the single biggest landlord North of Howard.
Recently, the Morse Avenue Task Force met
to discuss neighborhood visions for the revitalization of Morse Avenue.
Remember the story of Odysseus, who
stuffed his ears and then remember the fate of those who did not!!!
Pass the wax folks. I'm beginning to feel
like Odysseus about to be smashed upon the rocks!!!
...And that's my opinion.
And I'm
Sandy Goldman
Send me your e-mail address
or those of others who would be interested and I'll add them to my rapidly
growing distribution list.
mailto:smgoldman@ameritech.net