Dear Windy City Times:
I am writing this letter because of recent happenings with the last meeting of the Northalsted Business Alliance.
First, I want to commend the alliance for its efforts to create an environment that is beautiful in the Boystown area. Its intent to spend money on a CTA advertising campaign for the Alliance visibility is forward-thinking. The use of social networks such as Twitter and Facebook certainly is a wonderful development.
What I found ironic with the alliance's agenda was the absence of the issue of violence in our community.
But clearly one of the most significant agenda items was the election of officers to their board of directors. Two new candidates were added to the list at the last minute bowing to pressure: David Sikora and Art Johnston. In my opinion, their presence on the ballot represented a need for more transparency and accountable especially when it comes to the enormous amount of money that flow through their coffers. Both ran on these issues.
There is a feeling among many members of the organization who believe there is a front office back office mentality developing. Director Jay Lyon appears to be more comfortable working in the back office where there is little or no accountability for his actions. I was very surprised to find out that his yearly compensation package reportedly included a $100,000 salary.
While David Sikora was elected to the board and Art Johnston was not I was deeply disappointed on how this whole drama played itself out. What is at play here is not a culture of integrity, but rather an arena of self-promotion.
Clearly, Johnston has done much to champion our community, and should have been treated more fairly. He is also one of our community's most influential business leaders. He deserved more respect for what he has done and is doing in our community.
What is problematic for me is the apparent lack of transparency and accountability. Having a private meetings and turning away people at the door only fuels the idea that current Director has something to hide.
It is time for the organization to have an outside audit conducted by a competent accounting firm. Currently, there is a cloud of suspicion that hangs over the current leadership of the alliance. An outside audit would go far in bringing back integrity to the current leadership.
Joe Murray
Chicago