This afternoon 18 members of the local chapter of the Guardian Angels, and two members of the Chicago chapter were at the City Council meeting to accept a proclamation from the city. It basically thanked our group for all the good we’ve done over the last 18 months. The regional director of the Guardian Angels from Chicago later told everyone that it took 14 years for the first chapter to achieve this, and 10 years for his chapter. He also said the local chapter is doing very well and is in the running for chapter of the year.
Mischief and myself would have hung around for a patrol, but I’m on the injured list at the moment. Nothing real serious just a bum leg that didn’t happen while on patrol. We are also in the middle of some storm repairs since the calls came in. We chatted with Dale Gilmour for a few minutes which reminded me that the River Valley Classics are hosting a cruise-in Saturday from 6 pm until at least 9 pm. Since we’re also working the Bix Fest Friday night it makes for some long days. There’s a lot going on this weekend, we hope everybody makes it out to enjoy something that’s happening.
Alderman Ambrose offer me a handshake from behind the podium and we shoke hands. He attended some of the early training sessions with the Guardian Angels and remembered me. He also wished to thank all the Guardian Angels but most of us know he supports us.
That’s our nickel update, comments on just about anything are welcome.
July 24, 2008 at 6:48 am
I’ll have to try to go over to Northpark. I haven’t seen Mel for a while.
July 24, 2008 at 11:35 am
nitrous55,
We’re going to try to make it also, and we haven’t seen Mel in a long time. I still can’t get used to his haircut.
July 24, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Cruiser: Did you stay at the Council Meeting long enough to hear the lady speak about the thugs/bangers that are terrorizing her block? If you didn`t stay, ask Bill Linn for her address, as he seemed to know her. That would be a good place for a patrol, as according to her story to council, these are a bunch of kids that need to be sat on.
July 24, 2008 at 4:25 pm
anonymous,
We didn’t. As soon as the ceremony was over the group left. We had a meeting to attend and several went out on a patrol. Alderman Lynn will get hold of someone on the problem. Most times the group already knows the hot spots.
We also failed to mention that Mr. Pena recieved a proclamation before the Guardian Angels. He has also been supportive of the group. It seemed to me at least that Mr. Pena should have gotten a proclamation years ago for all the kids he’s helped. So a big belated nod to Alvino Pena for all he’s done to help our youth over the past 40+ years.
July 24, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Alvino is a wonderful person. On several occassions he or his sons have applied for community block grant money, and not been given a penny. It is really sad. He has spent a bundle of his own money to keep these kids out of trouble.
As one more nod, at least at one time, Bussings Automotive used to donate the space for the Pena Gym, and paid all the expenses to keep it maintained.
July 24, 2008 at 7:06 pm
anonymous,
He hasn’t had much luck getting help from the city, but he kept things going. We forgot about Buesings, and others that have helped him over the years.
July 25, 2008 at 6:12 am
Hopefully, that woman and any other decent neighbor is writing down everything going on with the thugs. Then Lynn or a plain cloths can swing by and pick up the info to use.
July 25, 2008 at 6:41 am
nitrous55,
We’ve been to some ward meetings he hosts, and he does a really good job of telling people the right way to handle things like this. He also invites people from his ward to email or call him with a problem.