WPC Questions SSA Spending, Wants More Outreach

Voices were raised at the Wicker Park Field House Wednesday night as two community organizations engaged one another in a frank and open dialogue.

Representatives from the WPB SSA commission attended the Wicker Park Committee meeting to present a review of the work the SSA has done since its creation in 2004. Members of the WPC and area residents took the opportunity for public comment to question some of the SSA's practices and call for more transparency and community outreach.

Commissioner John Paige led the SSA's portion of the meeting with a PowerPoint that covered much of the same information available in the SSA's Annual Report. He gave a brief overview of the SSA's committees along with a summary of the public projects each one has been responsible for. After his presentation, he opened the floor for questions and comments from the WPC and members of the public.

WPC President Teddy Varndell questioned the allocation of SSA funds and public services, suggesting that "the bulk of the bread gets spent within 50 yards of the bulk of the current commissioners' office doors."

He was referring to the amount of money spent on cleaning services near the Six Corners intersection of North, Milwaukee and Damen avenues—along with sponsorship of events such as Open Streets in the area—when several SSA commissioners own businesses located along those streets.

SSA Chair David Ginople denied that any area got special treatment when it came to allocating SSA funds or services. He said the Six Corners area was cleaned more often because it was a busier area than other parts of the SSA.

"Teddy, I wish you wouldn't spread false information," Ginople said. "That is not true. All of our commissioners are above reproach."

Varndell was quick to defend his statements.

"I'm just saying where the money gets spent and where the guys hang their shingles," he said. "That's all I'm talking about."

Paige added that public services paid for by the SSA have been spread out evenly throughout its coverage area.

"The big things like the trees, the cleaning, the snow removal, are ubiquitous," Paige said. "They're spread over the entire SSA. You could look at the contracts. You can go out there and watch them."

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Ginople said he felt like the SSA was under attack at the meeting. He said the entire commission was composed of volunteers, and that they have been unable to generate much public attendance at their monthly meetings or get members of the public involved in their committees.

"My dander is up because I feel like the work that we are doing as volunteers is being attacked, and we do not have the ability to get commissioners," Ginople said. "We have tried. We have solicited. We have knocked on doors. Nobody wants to devote the time. So the people who are devoting the time, like me, when we only get six commissioners attending every single committee meeting, I resent being attacked."

While commissioners are required to live within the SSA's boundaries, anybody who wants to get involved can join a committee. There are currently three open seats on the commission. According to Paige, the SSA is authorized to have 12 commissioners and there are only nine members on the commission at this time. Commissioners must fill out an extensive application and be approved by the Chicago City Council.

Varndell said the SSA should do more to spread the word about its meetings—which are held at the Wicker Park Field House on the third Wednesday of every month. He suggested sending out a monthly postcard to area residents letting them know when and where the meetings are held.

"We (the WPC) send a post card out every month on, like, no money," he said. "We really do. You have ($1.2 million) to spend every year."

Despite the disagreements that arose during the meeting, commission members said they appreciated the opportunity to open up a dialogue and hear feedback from members of the community.

"I want to thank everyone," Paige said. "I think the conversation is good. I think we as commissioners want to hear it. We'd love to get more commissioners, we'd love to get more people on our committees."

SSA Recording Secretary Sam Marts echoed that sentiment and stressed the importance of the community weighing in on the SSA's performance or any public issues it should be addressing.

"Because there are not enough of us, your voice goes a long way," he said.

Do you have feedback for the SSA commission? Let them know with their online survey.