Debra Silverstein with Congresswoman Jan Schacowski and Indian community activist Keerthi Ravoori
CHICAGO: “It is good riddance,” exclaimed a front ranking businessman on Devon Avenue while reacting to the thundering loss of re-election bid by sitting and long time Alderman Bernard Stone last week.
“He is 82 and apparently has many age-related weaknesses. He should have exited gracefully, but he did not and the electorate showed him the place where he truly belongs – his home,” said the businessman.
In the run-off, Ald Bernard Stone was facing a new but energetic Debra Silverstein who had the backing of newly-elect Mayor Rham Emanuel, Congresswoman Jan Schacowski and endorsements from two mainstream newspapers – Sun Times and Chicago Tribune – besides numerous Indian and Pakistani community activists. Devon residents and businessmen were plagued by many problems over the years – parking, safety, cleaning of roads and pavements, potholes and loss of pre-eminence as international market place – and they yearned for change. And the chance for change came when Debra Silverstein decided to contest the election for Aldermanic seat from 50th Ward. She won handsomely bagging 61 per cent of the votes cast.
Balwinder Singh, a prominent business in 50th Ward, took the lead in extending support to Debra and he lined up many an Indian and Pakistani residents behind her. “I am really happy that we made it,” he told India Post. “More so as the margin turned out to be much bigger than expected and this clearly reflects that the residents and the area businessmen were badly hurt by the apathetic attitude of the area authority. I am sure now that we will jointly effect a change for better and Devon will again shoot back soon to its pre-eminent position for local businessmen and shoppers from suburbs and neighboring States.”
Harendra Mangrola, president of Indo American Democratic Organization (IADO), said, “We endorsed Debra’s candidacy after deep thinking and aligning ourselves to the wish of the locals.”
He said Debra has promised she would keep her office open for anybody to walk in with any complaint or suggestion. She had also indicated that she would set up a sort of committee that would meet periodically and advise her about the development of the Devon business area. There are many problems that need immediate attention and one of them is parking and the other is safety of the shoppers. “We will press for addressing these issues as soon as she settles down in her office,” he said.
The long-term scenario would include many changes like relaying the roads, capping them properly, ensuring higher funding from Aldermanic funds and taking measures to make the place as a truly international market place.
Dr Ram Gajjela, a former chief of IADO and a community activist, said that Devon is a rough diamond. It needs to be cut and polished properly for it to shine and get its glory. The newly elect Alderman Debra has promised to do something in this regard and “we will closely watch the progress in this direction. We are sure that with the cooperation with all the concerned parties we would make the Devon Diamond shine again.”
Keerthi Ravoori, who helped organzise a Debra endorsement meet on Devon Avenue, said that the election outcome was “never in doubt and we all extend our heartiest welcome to the newly elect Alderman. We also congratulate the voters for their intelligent choice.”
Suresh Shah
