Friday, September 24, 2010

FEMA WARNS FLOOD VICTIMS OF OCT. 18 DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

As of September 21, 90,910 residents of Cook County have registered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency since President Obama issued his August 19 proclamation declaring Northern Illinois counties flood disaster areas. This made victims of damage and loss due to the flooding that hit Chicago this summer eligible to apply for financial assistance from the federal government. To date, FEMA has conducted 85,450 home inspections and approved payments totaling $190.1 million for household damages and losses.
    The deadline for filing disaster recovery applications with FEMA is October 18. Counselors advise people who suffered damage to their homes or losses of valuable personal items not to try to make their own assessments of damages and losses – LET FEMA DISASTER ADJUSTERS DETERMINE THE MONETARY AMOUNT OF LOSSES AND DAMAGES.
    Alderman Emma Mitts negotiated with Harlem Irving Plaza, owners of the Harold Washington Plaza Shopping Center, to donate use of the former Old Navy store at 4905 West North Avenue, for a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. It is a One-Stop Shop where flood victims can find out what help they are eligible to receive, arrange for a home inspection, and file their disaster claims with FEMA and with SBA. Flood victims can call the FEMA HOTLINE at 1-800-621-3362 to file their claim, though federal disaster counselors suggest that people come in to the Center for more efficient service and to get all their questions answered face-to-face.
    Persons who took pictures of the damage, made lists of their losses, and have receipts for items damaged and destroyed may bring them along to the Center when they register their claim. Disaster specialists tell victims not to be concerned if items destroyed by the flood were thrown out. They emphasize that the primary rule is: HEALTH & SAFETY FIRST! People should not risk their health by keeping items that may be breeding potentially toxic mold and mildew simply to prove the items existed. Home inspectors are trained to know how to estimate the total value of losses.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO NOT MISS THE FILING DEADLINE OF OCTOBER 18. ACT TODAY!

POINTS TO REMEMBER:

 1.    If you suffered flood damage and losses not covered by home insurance, come to the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at 4905 West North Avenue (the former Old Navy store in the Harold Washington Plaza Shopping Center); or
 2.    Call the toll-free Disaster Hotline at 1-800-621-3362, 7:00 AM-10:00 PM daily;
 3.    If you filed an application prior to August 19th, you did not file with FEMA, so you must come to the Center or call the Hotline at 1-800-621-3362 and file an application BEFORE OCTOBER 18;
 4.    File a SBA Disaster Loan application at the Center or by calling 1-800-659-2955.
5. Don't forget to ask about your furnace! Since the flood happened over the summer, many people inore damage done to their heating unit.
 6.    FILE BY OCTOBER 18, 2010.

Also, once a registration is filed, if additional damages become apparent later – such as foundation cracking or furnace failure – those claims can be made under the original application that is kept on file. If a person receives an Ineligibility Letter denying their claim, FEMA representatives advise them not to panic. It could simply mean that something was missing from the application or a signature was omitted. CALL THE FEMA HOTLINE AT 1-800-621-3362 OR BRING THE LETTER TO THE DISASTER RECOVERY CENTER FOR REVIEW. There is an appeals process if a victim is still not approved. Center staff can assist with this, as well.
    People filing FEMA applications are also urged to file SBA Disaster Loan applications, even if they do not want or think they do not qualify for low-interest loans. This way, if FEMA doesn’t pay enough to complete all repairs or replace all losses, the Small Business Administration can help. If SBA rejects a disaster loan application, it kicks the claim back to FEMA for review and possible reconsideration. The point is to keep all options open. SBA staff are also on hand at the Disaster Recovery Center to assist in filing applications.
    FEMA emphasizes that it will not pay for anything covered by home insurance.
    FEMA staff also warn applicants that if they filed claims prior to the August 19th Presidential Declaration, they were registering with the state Red Cross and not for federal disaster relief through FEMA. They need to come to the Center immediately and register for assistance.

FEMA WARNS FLOOD VICTIMS OF OCT. 18 DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE

Paul Simon Job Corps Center Graduates Another Class!

State Representative La Shawn K. Ford (D-8) delivers the commencement address to the graduates of the Paul Simon Job Corps Center.

Paul Simon Job Corps Center Executive Director Brian Mason congratulates a graduate with guest speaker Rep. La Shawn K. Ford in the background.
 Paul Simon Job Corps Center graduates at their commencement ceremony.

This week at Loretto Hospital

Congressman Davis & Commander Green with the Loretto Hospital Addictions Unit staff at the National Recovery Month celebration. (Photo by Isaac Jones)

METROPOLITAN M.B. CHURCH CELEBRATES 90 YEARS OF FAITH

    The congregation of Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church, 2151 West Washington Boulevard, marked their church’s 90th anniversary September 19 by welcoming Rev. E.F. Ledbetter, Jr., Pastor of Greater Mt. Hebron M.B. Church, and son of Metropolitan’s long-time pastor. The church was thrilled to also welcome back their late pastor’s widow to celebrate the occasion. Other former members of the Metropolitan flock returned to reminisce and renew old friendships.
    Reverent Scottie Williams, Sr., is Metropolitan’s Pastor.
Local poet Juanita Hull presents a copy of her latest collection – From Darkness to Light – to Michael Schorsch, Librarian of the North Austin Branch Library, 5724 W. North Ave., to add to its collection. (Photo by Brad)

CONCERN ORGANIZATION WHO CARES HOSTS ANNUAL GOSPEL FEST

PROPHET EMANUEL DADA PRESENTS ANNUAL PARADE FOR JESUS

ALD. DEBORAH GRAHAM GALVANIZES WOMEN TO MARCH AGAINST VIOLENCE

HARRISON DISTRICT TACTICAL TEAMS RAID TWO DRUG DENS – SEIZE GUNS

Lennell Jones, 45, was arrested by Harrison District Tactical officers on firearms & narcotics charges.


Chicago Police Harrison District (11) Tactical teams received information that illegal weapons and narcotics were being stored in a business in the 3600 block of West Chicago Avenue and a residence in the 5700 block of South Lowe Avenue in Englewood. Officers simultaneously executed search warrants at both locations, seizing two shotguns, a rifle, and three handguns. Officers also took one-half kilogram of cocaine with an estimated street value of $73,000, 135 grams of cannabis with an estimated street value of $1,350, and approximately $11,000 in cash.
    Lennell Jones, 45, of the 5700 block of South Lowe, was charged with six felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Firearms by a Felon, Possession of Controlled Substance, felony Possession of Cannabis, and two misdemeanor weapons offenses.
    The search warrants executed at both locations were the culmination of an ongoing investigation of gang-related violence and narcotics activity on the City’s West Side.


PHOENIX MILITARY ACADEMY CELEBRATES FRESHMAN CRESTING CEREMONY

Monday, September 20, 2010

DERRICK THE BODYGUARD & SUAVEMENTE NINOS HOST BACK-TO-SCHOOL FEST AT ORR

State Rep. La Shawn K. Ford stops by to lend his support to Loretto Hospital’s Breast & Ovarian Health Educational Event empowering young women to take control of their reproductive health.

ANTOINETTE MITCHELL & JANET COLEMAN HEADLINE WOMEN’S DAY AT GREATER STAR CHURCH

Janet Coleman, Dir. of Christian Education at Greater Bethlehem M.B. Church, was guest speaker for the Evening Service during the Women’s Day program at Greater Star M.B. Church.

Antoinette Mitchell was guest speaker for the Women’s Day Morning Service at Greater Star M.B. Church Sept. 12.

Greater Star M.B. Church, temporarily located at 4220 West Roosevelt Road, held its Annual Women’s Day Worship Services on Sunday, September 12. The theme was: Christian Women Dressed in the Whole Armor of God for Kingdom Profit (Ephesians 6:11-18 and Proverbs 3:5-6). Colors for the day were white with red accessories.
    The Morning Worship Service at 11:00 AM featured Antoinette Mitchell as guest speaker. Janet Coleman, Christian Education Director of Greater Bethlehem M.B. Church, 2400 West Warren Boulevard, was guest speaker for the Evening Service at 3:30 PM.
    Sister Louverta Hurt was Chairperson and Sister Elma Hudson was Co-chairperson of the Women’s Day program. Reverend Chester Eason is Pastor of Greater Star M.B. Church. The church’s new home is under construction at 3847 West Harrison Street.

WEST SIDE MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER & ROBBERY

Jason Foster, 26, of the 0-100 block of N. Latrobe Ave., is charged with murder, possession of a weapon by a felon, attempted armed robbery, resisting arrest, possession of marijuana, and a warrant connecting him to a June robbery and homicide.

Jason Foster, 26, of the 0-100 block of North Latrobe Avenue, was arrested and charged with one count of Murder, Possession of a Weapon by a Felon, Attempt Armed Robbery, two counts of Resisting Arrest, Possession of Cannabis, and Issuance of a Warrant in connection with a robbery and homicide that occurred in June of 2010.
    An investigation by Area 5 Detectives determined that Foster and two accomplices took part in a robbery that resulted in one of the offenders being fatally wounded. On June 8, Foster and two accomplices robbed a pawnshop in the 5900 block of West Fullerton at gunpoint. During the course of events, one of the offenders, a male, was fatally wounded. Two of the suspects fled the crime scene.
    On September 13, at approximately 2:30 AM, 18th District officers responded to a call of a person wanted in the 800 block of North Blackhawk. Upon arrival, officers approached Foster and three other male subjects when Foster began to flee. A brief foot chase ensued, with Foster being apprehended soon after. A name check revealed that Foster was wanted on a homicide warrant issued by Area 5 Detectives. A subsequent search of the offender revealed a handgun and cannabis.

GONE FISHIN’ WITH STATE REP. La SHAWN K. FORD

SISTAS OF THE HOOD VISIT DWIGHT PRISON INMATES TO TELL THEM “YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN!”

Elaunda Banks of Sistas Of The Hood, with Chief Deputy Cook County Recorder of Deeds Darlena Williams-Burnett, and soloist Hollis L. Sumo.

    Roberta Fews, Deputy Director of Programs and Support Services for the Illinois Department of Corrections, requested Sistas Of The Hood to visit the women of Dwight Correction Facility with long-term sentences. On September 10, more than 25 local women of power embarked upon a journey to lift the prisoners’ spirits, expand their minds, and reassure 50 inmates that they are truly not forgotten.
    Deputy Director Fews, who celebrated her birthday at the prison, attended the program and thanked Sistas Of The Hood for visiting the women prisoners with long-term sentences. Ms Fews reminded everyone that they are all women joined in sisterhood, although separated geographically. She admonished them that it is imperative never to give up their mission in life of staying connected and serving others in need.
    Joining the tour were Darlena Williams-Burnett, Chief Deputy Cook County Recorder of Deeds; Paula Daniels, Sankofa Community Outreach and Restoration; Pastor Debra Dill, UTour Publishing, Inc.; and Dr. Cyrene Wright, New Millennium Missionary.
    For information on joining Sistas Of The Hood and to learn of its programs, call 773/804-1916.

Elaunda Banks, Sistas Of The Hood Board member, and Linda Barker, CEO, with Roberta Fews of the Illinois Department of Corrections at Dwight Prison during a visit to women inmates with long-term sentences.

Fun at the Wisconsin County fair

 John Hobson rides a camel when the VOICE Newspapers took some of its youth workers on an expedition to the Wisconsin State Fair. (Photo by Marques Bell)

WEST SIDE VOICES: Letters to the Editor

A Crossing Guard’s Request at the Start of School
Dear Parents:
Let me start by saying I am a Chicago Police Crossing Guard. My job is to get your kids to and from school as safely as possible. Your job is to show respect for my effort by crossing your kids where I am, not in the middle of the street.
I take pride in my job, therefore I beseech you to let me do it. If you show me no respect, your child will show me none.
Thank you very much for your cooperation.

Naomi Price
25th District

(But, I am speaking for all Chicago Police Crossing Guards & Parent Patrols.)


FOOL
The article you wrote in the Austin paper is a joke, you are one clueless fool. [North Avenue Business Owners Are Asking: “ARE 25TH DISTRICT POLICE LAZY, RACIST, OR ON THE TAKE?” Aug. 11, 2010} Wake up and take a look around it’s your community that is to blame for all the troubles that you talk about. Take a look at the two black officers (that you interviewed) arrest rate, how many arrests do they have compared to other officers in the 25th district how many jobs do they clear? I know you’ll say white or hispanic officers have better records but they put stuff on the poor black people and that’s how they get their arrests. The 25th district has more hispanic and white people living in it than blacks its just that the blacks are the one’s doing the majority of the crimes. I know the truth hurts and it’s not easy to accept but the black community has been spewing the same toxic rubbish for 50 years and nothing has changed. You need to man up and speak the truth, look in the mirror and point your finger for you are the one who has failed your people by not telling the truth. It will set you free. Next time you get robbed while in your office at work tell 911 you only want black officers to respond better yet don’t call the police deal with it on your own.

Mark La Civita

[Editor: Mark La Civita is a blogsite thought to be written and posted by a group of Chicago Police Officers who hide behind their anonymity. The City of Chicago and Chicago Police Department unsuccessfully attempted to discover their identities and shut down their site because of its content.}

Happy Birthday, Congressman Davis