Tango in the Tropics to Chicago

I was fortunate enough to take a trip to Buenos Aires, Rio, Barbados, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. Warm and sunny in the 80's and the pace of life seemed more relaxed than Chicago.

This trip allowed me to observe several cities with the perspective of both a tourist and a typical resident. I enjoy going out and trying to get a real sense of what it is like to live in the cities I visit. I like to walk the streets talk to the locals and try the food and drink.

Not a surprise, but everyone seems to be very similar to us on many levels. They want to have a good job, eat well, and have a nice home and prosperous and peaceful life. And they are very concerned about their family.

On a more somber note, I was continuously reminded by people on my tour as well as the locals to be very careful walking around certain areas. My wife was told that women should never wear jewelry or other valuables anywhere for fear of being mugged. As I became a little more cognizant of what was around me, I began to notice many issues about the cleanliness and maintenance of the streets and buildings. For whatever reason, the natives appeared resigned to high levels of crime. They seemed not to care about the maintenance of their properties and the cleanliness of their streets. They seemed to take care of their own needs but did not want to take responsibility for their surroundings like it was someone else's problem. Their fabulous cities are deteriorating around them and the locals do not seem to notice.

This realization gave me pause as I compare this experience with what we have in our own community. We have a very good thing going for us here in Lincoln Park. Low crime, well maintained properties, clean parks and streets, for the most part. How did this happen? The various neighborhood associations were a major factor in making our community a desirable place to live and work. Resident involvement was and remains a key reason for this. By getting involved, residents have made a positive difference in our quality of life.

This sense of involvement needs to be maintained and strengthened if our community is to remain vibrant. Support of your neighborhood association is one way for residents to remain involved. The reason I am a member of the Lincoln Central Association is to make a positive difference.

Involvement is the most important issue. We must recognize the corrosive effects of the small things - graffiti on a wall, the trash blowing around the streets, the papers in our parkways. We must be diligent in the concept of Zero tolerance to crime. Everyone must participate. If you see someone or something that is not right, call the police. If you see graffiti, report it (Call 311). If you see trash in front of your house, pick it up. If you see litter in your neighbor's sidewalk or parkway, encourage them to pick it up. Or just pick it up yourself. Keep your home well maintained. This not only helps maintain your property value but it encourages your neighbors to make improvements also.

Volunteer with organization like Lincoln Central that is concerned with your area. I think that we will find that because of looming city budget cuts, city services will be significantly reduced. Residents will have to rely on their own efforts to keep our neighborhood in top shape.

Lincoln Central has established several community initiatives to keep our community in top shape. These are:

• Active participation in the parks and streets of our area
• Continuous interaction with the CAPS program
• Vigilant monitoring of graffiti to insure quick clean up
• Working with Alderman's office to insure service for our community

We welcome your ideas and involvement. Please feel free to contact me at 312-259-2040 or email me at Rowen@bgdchomes.com.