I’ve lived in Evanston, a Chicago suburb, for 43 years. I can confirm that for 43 years, most of the organic growth from Evanston’s soil—grass clippings, leaves, shrub prunings, tree branches—left the city limits. Almost none was returned to the soil. Yes, there was always the occasional composter or real gardener who kept that precious […]
Evanston, IL
This is an update of an on-going issue in Evanston, IL, a citizen complaint against a sitting alderman. Original details are in my August 25, 2019 post, Part 2 of this series. This update was sent to approximately 30 Evanstonians in my personal networks–media, political & justice groups, and individuals who I think are interested […]
I recently sent a version of this blog to some food-and-farm colleagues as a possible idea for “big picture” system change, without reinventing the wheel. This is basically a re-purposing of two U.S. institutions, to the benefit of both and for the benefit of all Americans—rural, urban, suburban, including non-humans (soil, water, air, plants, animals, […]
To: Democratic Party of Evanston (DPOE) bcc: Evanston justice groups Individual Evanston activists Evanston media Hi, all — Thanks to the Democratic Party of Evanston for inviting me to put a “game plan” together for working on impeachment in Evanston. Or as I like to say, for “getting the impeachment show on the road” in […]
On August 3, 2019, I published a blog about how local civic life at the official level is reflecting national tensions. The heart of my blog (now Part 1 of Public Trust in Evanston, IL: National Cracks being Exposed in Chicago Suburb) is this paragraph: “On July 12, 2019, Evanston’s Mayor put a stake in […]
In April 2017, the City of Evanston had local elections. By a very slim margin, we elected a white disaster capitalist as Mayor (with no previous elected experience). By a very wide margin, we elected a young Black advocate for participatory democracy and government transparency as City Clerk (with no previous elected experience). We elected […]
Published in Evanston Roundtable May 30, 2019 print edition, page 8 (slightly edited for readability) One of the best reasons for impeachment is expressed in this recent question Tweeted by Thea Riofrancos, a political science professor: “Need to feel wiser, & more committed to the world-making task of battling climate change & capitalist domination, & building democracy, […]
Questions from an impatient and concerned observer in Evanston, IL Posted December 20, 2018 Update February 3, 2019: See response from Executive Director of CWHL To: Center for Women’s History & Leadership Evanston, IL Attn: Glen Madeja, Exec. Director Dear Mr. Madeja: I think I speak for many when I say that I have […]