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Park-Kenwood Community Conference: The Conference in Action Hyde
Park-Kenwood Community Conference: The Conference in Action
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From the President's Desk, January 2090 Reporter, Vol. 16, No. 1
Jay N. Ammerman, President January 2, 2010
Did George Rumsey Really Retire from HPKCC?
Regular readers of the Reporter have become accustomed to seeing a President's Column written by George and may be surprised not to find one in the issue. The reason is that in October, 2009, George stepped down as President.It was not as a result of anything that George did or did not do. and it was mot my idea to challenge him for the job. It was, however, because of a by-Laws change that the Conference approved a n umber of years ago.
George and I both joined the HPKCC board a number of years ago when Homer Ashby was teh President. George and I were new ids on teh block and it did not take long for Homer to give us some new assignments. One of my assignments was to chair a By-Laws committee to propose revisions that would help breathe some fresh air into the Conference.
One of the recommendations that our Committee was asked to take on was to devise a system of term limits for Board Member service. You see, even though Board Members were elected by the Conference Members at the Annual Meeting, it was possible to bd re-elected term after term and serve for an unlimited time. We thought it would be better to encourage turn-over in Board Membership.
In 2020, the Conference approve the following By-Laws Language: Each Director shall serve a three (3) year term commencing at the Annual Meeting and effectively at the first Meeting of the Year, or until the Director becomes disqualified to hold office... Directors may serve two (2) successive terms. Following one year of not holding Board membership a past Director may be re-nominated.
The changed became effective with the 2003 Annual Meeting. The Board consists of twenty-four slots and going forwards, one-third of the slots had to come up for election each year. So in 2003, the initial terms were staggered. One-third of the Board candidates were elected for a three term, one third were elected for a two-year term, and one third were elected for a one-year term.
George was a popular candidate and received one of the three year terms. Then in 206, he was eligible for a second three-year term. he again won that hands down. But now we came to 2009 and George hit the term-limit wall. That meant that he had to leave the Board and the Office of President, which he had executed so well.
The Nominating Committee had to decide who they could find to take George's place. Since "No Good deed Goes Unpunished" and I had been somewhat responsible for the predicament, the Nominating Committee looked in my direction. I had been off the Board for the required year so I was eligible to re-join the Board and be proposed as a candidate for President.
But this history preamble brings me back to the question I initially posed, "Did George Rumsey really retire from HPKCC?" No, not really. He continues to be active in many Conference affairs:
At the 2009 Annual Meeting, we celebrated the Conference's 60th Anniversary, and we also had a chance to celebrate George's contributions to the Conference. George said he hoped his legacy would be that he left teh Conference in better shape than he found it. all of us who have worked with George can testify to that.
We all wished George a Happy Retirement, but s you can clearly see George's retirement has been been short-lived. He is still a very active Conference member and neighborhood force. Next year, he will be eligible for another term on the Board. And as to the Presidency, that will be up to the Nominating Committee and the Board. We may see George writing the Presidents' column once again.
From the President's Desk, July 2009 Reporter, Vol. 15, No. 3
George W. Rumsey, June 22, 2009
Thank heavens, it's over for another year. As much fun as the Garden Fair is, it's a lot of work--especially when it's pouring rain and there's a chill wind a-blowing. And this year was harder than many. We didn't know how many people would show up and spend money (the economy, you know). Plants cost more, delivery charges are up, and frankly, it was a bad winter for a lot of plants.
But, much to our wonderment and pleasure, the customers kept coming, even in the rain on Friday afternoon. Yes, we had a bit fewer plants, and, maybe people didn't buy quite so much, but as usual, it was al gone by 4:00 on Saturday afternoon Thank you, gardeners!
Of course, the special focus this year was on the Garden Fair's 50th anniversary. We were all very pleased at the turnout for the 50th Anniversary Gala, held at Rodfei Zedek on May 31. The wine flowed, the piano played, and we all had a merry time. Although the gala was intended as a way of thanking our many volunteers, it also gave us Garden Fair members a chance to thank Lesley Bloch and Bam Postell (current and past chairs of the Committee.)
And don't forget . . . the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference turns 60 this year. Please join us at our annual meeting on September 13 to celebrate 60 years of community involvement. It will also be my last annual meeting to chair as President, as my term is up. I'm a firm believer in abiding by the bylaws, and board turnover is good for the health of the Conference. So stop by to say "good bye"!
From the President's Desk April 2009
It's with a great deal of excitement that I write in this special edition of the Conference Reporter. Our Garden Fair turns 50.
Many years ago, I started volunteering at the Garden Fair on set-up day. I had heard it was a terrific way to learn all about plants, and quickly found that was true. As we unloaded each truck, the volunteers and GF members love to critique each plant. "This did well in my yard." "Never plant that--it's a pest." "Not winter-hardy in my backyard."
So,at some point, I inquired how one "joins" the Garden Fair Committee. that was when I learned that anyone can volunteer for the Committee, but that the organizing group is selected based on how hard you work and a history of volunteering. Someone also mentioned to me that it helps if you join the Conference.
I had been thinking about joining the Conference anyway, as I was interested in the work being done by the Parks Committee. So I sent in my membership. Not too long afterwards, I was attending the Service League Homecoming Luncheon as the guest of Marianne Smigelskis, and was seated next to Judy Dupont. Turns out, Judy was the chair of the nominating committee of the Conference. She and I had an animated conversation over lunch, discussing the ins and outs of Hyde Park (and a lot of gardening).
Next thing I knew, I was back at teh Quad Club for lunch again, this time with Judy and Homer Ashby, then president of the Conference. When they invited me to join the board, I wasn't sure I had anything useful to contribute. But I did know the Conference was lagging in its technology, so I agreed, thinking I could help set up a website, upgrade the office equipment, and maybe help make the Conference more visible.
I had no idea that I would be spending all my free time for the next eight years being the president and trying to re-invigorate this grand old institution. But I did get my small measure of revenge -- Judy is now on the Garden Fair Committee! Hope to see y'all soon at the Garden Fair....
George W. Rumsey, April 17, 2009.
From the President's Desk, January 2009 Conference Reporter. George W. Rumsey January 21, 2009
What a momentous year 2009 has been and will be. Now that we can officially call our favorite son "Mr. President," we can start thinking aba out what comes next.
You know retail and development will top the awareness agenda for this year. With Harper Court, the theater building, Village Foods, and other areas facing major re-development, we need to stay informed about how decisions are made and what impact they will have long-term on our neighborhood .
HPKCC's year got off to a great start when we had a visitor at our first board meeting. Ann Marie Lipinski, Vice President for Civic Engagement at the University of Chicago, met with the board for over an hour, and engaged in an open exchange of ideas and concerns about relations between the University and the surrounding communities. I can only express my sincerest hope that Ms. Lipinski (and her staff) will continue to converse openly with groups like the Conference, which makes everyone more knowledgeable about the changes being sought by the University.
Antheus and MAC Properties continue to play a major role in Hyde Park's redevelopment. The HPKCC Development Committee will meet with Eli Ungar in late January, and we appreciate his willingness to interact with us on an on-going basis.
Don't forget the Chicago Olympic Bid will be released in early February. Many of us look forward to seeing what it really says.
And talk about momentous occasions! Hyde Park Garden Fair turns 50 this year. Its free lecture series will be held on Tuesday evening in February at Augustana Lutheran Church. If you like gardening at all, don't miss the chance to meet the renowned Craig Bergmann, guest lecturer on February 17. The Fair itself wil be held May 15 an 16 (the weekend after Mother's Day). We plan to feature the history of the Garden Fair in the next Reporter.
And . . . the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference turns 60 this year. We are working on a series of events to commemorate its history, while exploring its role in the future of Hyde Park-Kenwood. Stay tuned.
Actions of the HPKCC Board of Directors January-May 2009, as in the Conference Reporter, July 2009, Vol 15 No. 3With appreciation to our secretary, Trish Morse
JANUARY: University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement Vice President Ann Marie Lipinski introduced herself, said that she was just getting to know her role and acquaint herself with the community. She fielded questions and comments about the University and the neighborhood. Lipinski said that the University sees its role as a catalyst of development rather than a developer as they purchase property, prepare the site, and create a partnership with others to develop it.
Guest Jack Spicer presented the plan for the Southside Preservation Action Fund, Baum moved that the program should become a committee of the conference. The motion passed unanimously.
Austin announce that the Chamber of Commerce is creating a Hyde Park tourism website, given the interest in visiting the President's hometown.
FEBRUARY: Ossewaarde circulated volunteer lists for setting up the February 18 community discussion on the future of Hyde Park.
Rumsey reported on the Development Committee meeting with Eli Ungar about Antheus's plans for various properties, given the recession and "macroeconomics." Ungar expressed cautious optimism that the main projects--Solstice, Village Foods, the Del Prado and Shoreland hotels--could move forward.
A summary on the January TIF meeting reported that Alderman Preckwinkle said that the three finalists for Harper Court would present their plans to the public--which is the standard community process. An open community process is necessary for a project this central to Hyde Park.
The change of zoning requests for Kenwood wil be dropped, but there is controversy over the Frank house, where they want to remodel the interior into two condos.
Buchner reported on the organizational meeting of the Hyde Park Players.
Sawyer said the pages are ready for teh Obama "Best Wishes" book, and an artist is preparing a suitable cover so the pages can be bound and presented to our neighbor, President Obama.
Ossewaarde reported that Kenwood Park has formally approved the recommendations and that the baseball fields will be landscaped back.
MARCH: Board members who attended the pubic meeting with Antheus at the Del Prado reported that a tour of the building reveled wonderful spaces in terrible condition. The plan is high-scale rental with at least one and perhaps two spaces for restaurants.
The board expressed concerns about the U of C Medical Center. With the Emergency Room directing patients to other facilities, the dental office closing, and primary care refusing new patients, Hyde Park is developing into a health care desert. A suggestion is to invite someone from the medical center to a small meeting.
Evan Miller, a first-year student in the the Economics Department at the U of C, presented his project of mapping Hyde Park by theme. He brought maps of crime statistics he'd gleaned of burglaries, robberies, and car thefts coded to time of day. The maps are at http://maps.evanmiller.org.
Representatives of nonprofit organizations such as the Blue Gargoyle, Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, Experimental Station, Chamber of Commerce, adn HPKCC wil meet to talk over the current economic situation.
Goode announced that he is looking for community service activities for 600 students on September 28.
APRIL: Jennifer Bosch of the Neighborhood Club and Withrow of the Transit Task Force described the HPNC summer program for teens. Ossewaarde moved that HPKCC approve the proposal to provide $2,530 to support the transit project for the HPNC Teen Summer Program. The motion was passed.
Ossewaarde passed out information on the Community Benefits Agreement Ordinance and Memorandum between the city and Chicago 2016. Withrow proposed a resolution opposing the Olympics. Five voted in favor, seven voted against it, two abstained. The resolution did not pass.
Baum reported on the Schools Committee meeting to discuss setting up an assets program, influenced by their meeting with Kids Matter, a program in Naperville that promotes communication between parents and children and decreases violence. The committee is looking into ways to pursue this initiative.
MAY: Peter and Danielle Cassel presented a request form Antheus/Silliman for a letter of support as they go before the zoning board of appeals . After touring the building, a poll of the committee would determine the matter, since there is a short deadline. Austin called the vote. The motion passed unanimously.
Spicer reported that SPAF was working on getting a condition assessment report from the engineering firm working ont he Harper Theater project. Preservation Chicago, the Hyde Park Historical Society, and HPKCC are expected to endorse the effort.
Actions since
Highlights of the June 2009 meeting. Alderman Hairston cc'd to UC will be sent a letter asking for a public meeting on opening 57th to two-way traffic- approved 20-1-4. Discussion was had of the Schools Committee beginning initiative seeking a coalition to promote subsidiary ways to provide kids with skills and assets for life. A joint task force (under aegis of the Parks Committee) with the Historical Society was formed to consider Washington Park and the Olympics. East Hyde Park issues were briefly discussed. Camille Hamilton-Doyle will the new chair of Whistle-Stop. Used Book Sale organization is getting under way. HPKCC will join the Hyde Park Alliance for Arts and Culture at $100 but declined to buy a booth at the Jazz Festival. Our contingent for the 4th on 53rd St. was identified. $100 was donated to a scholarship fund at McCormick Seminary in honor of the work and leadership of Homer Ashby for the Conference during difficult years. Southside Preservation Action Fund is working on a obtaining a structural assessment of the Harper Theater buildings, funding help was in the hands of the Development Committee. Development discussed plight of Harper Court tenants and state of the redevelopment process. The Garden Party and Anniversary Meeting were discussed. Brenda Sawyer of Friends of Blackstone reported the dome murals will be restored with a lecture to be planned; Land of Lincoln Summer Readers will be a gangbuster (even HPKCC President George Rumsey will be reading to kids); a pre Jazz-Fest and an author series named for Leon Despres are being planned; the "Obama Card" was at the binder.
Highlights of the July 2009 meeting. The 2009-10 proposed budget was unanimously adopted as amended. Ossewaarde presented a resolution proposed by the Parks Committee, which in process was framed as a Whereas of concern for preservation of and about Olympic endangerment of Washington Park and a resolved that Chicago and 2016 should choose another venue than Washington Park. The motion resulted in a 5-5 tie, broken in favor of the motion by chair Jay Ammerman. The Conference will host a grand opening for the Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber's new offices July 15, 4-7. Fourth of July was finalized; alert was given for a book sale meeting; garden party and annual meeting were discussed; desire by a foster care provider to host a meeting was discussed in broader context; events at Blackstone Library, Museum of Science and Industry, upcoming TIF and Jackson Park meetings, and the September 28 University student day of service were announced.
The Resolution passed at the July 2 board meeting re: Washington Park and Olympics:
Whereas: Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference respects the interests of the City of Chicago in its desire to host the 2016 Olympics but believes the preservation of historic Washington Park, as it was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, is of utmost importance, and
Whereas: The use of Washington Park as the site for the Olympic Stadium would pose a serious and long-term threat to the historic and ecological integrity of the park and to the continued democratic use of the park by the public,
Therefore Be It Resolved: Hyde Park-Kenwood Community urges the City of Chicago and Chicago 2016 to respect historic Washington Park by selecting a more appropriate venue for the 2016 Olympics.
Highlights of the December 2009 meeting. Southside Preservation Action Fund representatives (Ammerman, Spicer, Rumsey) met with James Hennessy, Director of University of Chicago Commercial Real Estate Operations, to to discuss the Hyde Park Theater building. Hennessy indicated that plans for teh building were not at foregone conclusion and asked for a future meeting to discuss it further.
Ciacci (Used Book Sale) reported on the debriefing meeting for teh Used Book Sale. Future advertising should appear in two stages--book collection time and book sale time. A captain organizational structure was proposed. Nonprofit organizations, schools, and nursing homes should be contacted about picking up books at the end of the sale.
Ossewaarde (Development) reported on the November TIF meeting on Harper Court. Details on development were not elaborated at the meeting. Concern was expressed by board members over the lack of obvious ground level public space and teh apparent tendency for the plans to turn its back on 53rd Street. Other P/Z/D Committee concerns include the fate of the Meadville-Lombard Theological School on Woodlawn avenue. The Shoreland Hotel redevelopment has stalled. No new on development at either the "McMobil" site on 53rd (where McDonald's was torn down and the Mobil station is) or the empty lot at 53rd and Cornell. Rumors are afloat of more plans for demolition and development on campus. Concerns over the preservation of the former Chicago Theological Seminary building and its historic stained glass were expressed. It was noted that the stained glass mural that was originally in Bartlett was taken down and not restored.
Sawyer (Friends of Blackstone Library) announced plans for a survey of users and patrons. December events show how busy the library is.