16th Ward residents: JoAnn Thompson doing about as well for ward as former alderman

There are a lot things to see in this piece from the Chicago Defender. Some of the residents don't see much of a difference between Shirley Coleman and Thompson. Some say that Coleman did a good job although not enough for re-election. Yeah I didn't have to bring that up. Anyway here's an excerpt:

The responsibility of the ward does not rest solely on the alderman, resident Joe Martin said.

He, too, said Coleman did a good job and so is Thompson, but added that the residents have to be willing to work with their alderman.

“Everyone has to work together in order to make it all work,” Martin said.

Thompson said while she has done a lot already, there is more to be accomplished. Her focus is on having more residential and economic development in the ward.

Before re-election time nears, a 149-unit senior assisted living facility is slated for 57th Street and Ashland Avenue, and a 100-room single occupancy room building will be on 63rd Street and Peoria Avenue. The SRO will also have a resource center to meet the residents’ needs, she said.

And job opportunities for residents will be available once a grocery store, in the 6300 block of South Morgan Street, and sit-down restaurant come to the ward, Thompson added.

“I’m pleased with my first year and can only hope that the residents see that I am working hard for them,” she said.

Is Englewood coming back?