Ameya Pawar, a business continuity planner program assistant at Northwestern University, is running for alderman in the 47th District.
The 30-year-old Pawar has a background in crisis management and public policy, and he's looking forward to address the city's structural budget deficit while simultaneously protecting service delivery in the 47th Ward.
"Aldermen are legislators and it is time we move away from running our wards like medieval fiefdoms," Pawar said. "We must look beyond the borders of the 47th Ward and legislate on city-wide issues in order to protect service delivery in the 47th Ward. To do that, we need to elect someone who can go through the budget line-by-line and find efficiencies, cut waste and eliminate duplication.
"I will work to reform TIF and redirect money back into our schools, police and fire. Most important, I want to give voice to the residents of the 47th Ward. I am going to build a ward council—this body would mirror the City Council at the ward level. This body would be made up of residents, business owners and non-profits in the 47th Ward. Together, we will make decisions on 1.3 million ward dollars (participatory budgeting), zoning, development and TIF allocations."
Windy City Times: What are your strengths?
Ameya Pawar: My background is in emergency management. Emergency managers facilitate discussions and coordinate the allocation of resources. This is what I am trained to do. I believe that I can help foster a meaningful community dialogue on local government and schools.
WCT: What are your weaknesses, and what are you doing to improve them?
Ameya Pawar: I am really bad with directions, but, as I have been walking the ward, I've learned the grid system and am getting better without [using a] GPS.
WCT: Why should people vote for you?
Ameya Pawar: You should vote for me because I am interested in serving you. I want to help this city emerge from this fiscal crisis and I want to work with the public to do that. We have some very tough decisions to make to re-invent government. In order to protect your home value, keep taxes low and ensure our children get a great education, we have to come together. I believe I am best qualified to facilitate this discussion.
WCT: What do you want to do for the 47th and how do you plan to get things done?
Ameya Pawar: I have knocked on over 85 percent of the doors in the ward. I keep hearing that people just want to have a say on what takes place in their community. For decades, local government was only open to those on the inside. When I am alderman, my ward council will ensure that my office is transparent and accountable to you. Through this ward council, I want to:
—Create a 25-year vision plan for the 47th Ward development and zoning.
—Create an environmental framework for the ward.
—Work with the local school councils, parents, residents and businesses to determine what to do with the six TIF districts in the ward.
—Work with neighboring wards to structure services in a more cost-effective and efficient way.
—Empower the various constituencies and organizations in the ward to drive public policy.
WCT: Where are things at, in your opinion, in the 47th?
Ameya Pawar: We've reached a tipping point. In order to protect home values, keep taxes low, properly fund schools and ensure your safety, we must address the budget deficit and implement TIF reform. We have to act now to protect our community.
WCT: What is the biggest issue/concern you see for the 47th?
Ameya Pawar: The biggest issue is local participation and transparency. People are frustrated that they do not have a say in how their tax-dollars are spent. Things get done, but we do not know what they cost or how they get done. The 47th Ward residents pay high taxes and receive amazing services. But if we are to protect those services, we need to have a community-wide discussion about the budget and TIFs. Until now, there has been no mechanism to have important discussions. When I am elected, everyone will have a voice.
WCT: What are your long-term goals for the 47th?
Ameya Pawar: [They include] increasing funding to local schools, lowering property taxes and developing a 25-year development plan.
WCT: How will the Chicago mayoral race impact the 47th?
Ameya Pawar: I think we are going to see a huge spike in voter turnout. For the first time in a generation, voters will have a choice in electing their alderman. Voters will also have multiple choices for mayor. It is an exciting time in the 47th Ward.
WCT: Why are you running as an independent?
Ameya Pawar: This is a non-partisan race. There is no need to divide the community along party lines. My approach has been non-divisive. I stand for good government and sound public policy. There is no need to insert a party line when you are on the right side of the issues.
WCT: You've mentioned that, as alderman, you would reduce your salary ... why?
Ameya Pawar: People often think this is a gimmick—it's not. We ask our police, fire, teachers and other public servants to take cuts. Police officers, firefighters and teachers start out making a fraction of what aldermen make. My question is, why more lawmakers aren't making sacrifices along with their fellow public servants? In my mind, elected officials should lead by example.
WCT: A property-tax increase ... your thoughts?
Ameya Pawar: I will vote "no" to any property-tax increase.
WCT: Parking meters are a hot-button topic in Chicago. Thoughts?
Ameya Pawar: I am against privatization.
WCT: The 47th has a large LGBT population. What do you want to do for the LGBT community?
Ameya Pawar: My door will always be open to the LGBT community and all other constituencies. I want to work with the LGBT community to advance issues important to them. I will be their advocate in the city council.
WCT: Would you advocate for mandatory anti-bullying policies/training in Chicago public schools?
Ameya Pawar: I am on the board of directors for the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention. They have an amazing anti-bullying best practice/policy/training program. I see how programs like theirs can reduce bullying. So I would be very supportive of implementing a robust anti-bullying program at CPS.
WCT: What is your stance on HIV/AIDS funding and education?
Ameya Pawar: Again, my background is in emergency management. My field believes strongly in prevention, mitigation and education. To that end, I will work to find resources at the state and federal level for more robust HIV/AIDS funding and education.
WCT: Finally, tell us a little-known skill or trait (something personal, not political).
Ameya Pawar: I am a runner and am slowly getting obsessed with rowing.
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