East Village Association officers 2018-2019

By -

The East Village Association has elected its current officers to serve for the next year.

President Michael VanDam is the only officer who has served a full year in his position; three have been appointed to vacancies. A nominating committee of VanDam, Dan Johnson and Neal McKnight recommends that current officers serve till March 2019.

The slate was elected by acclamation March 5 at Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. The meeting included a presentation by members of the Polish Triangle Coalition on plans for the Ashland-Division-Milwaukee plaza and CTA station.

EVA board members are appointed by the president.

Here are short biographies on EVA's officers:

Michael VanDam.

Michael VanDam, president

I've lived in East Village for more than 10 years, and in Chicago for more than 25. I grew up in Michigan and attended Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, before coming back to the Midwest. Living directly on Chicago Avenue, I'm particularly interested in promoting responsible development on the commercial corridors of East Village, and also serve as a commissioner for our local Special Service Area. Professionally, I'm a real estate agent with Ask Nagel Realty on Division Street.

Michele Hayward.

Michelle Hayward, vice president

I'm a 25-year resident of Chicago; my husband and I chose to settle in the neighborhood in 2003, and now we're stewards of the historic Lincoln Bath House. I’m a longtime local business owner (Bluedog Design) with roots in the Chicago food scene, and vice president of the Everwood Farmstead Foundation. Chat me up about the history of Chicago’s municipal bathhouses, the joys of running a business, the need for a vibrant business community, the art scene or your favorite band.

Neal McKnight.

Neal McKnight, secretary

I was EVA's president from 2013 to 2015 after co-chairing the Planning, Preservation & Development committee. As a founding partner of the law firm McKnight, Kitzinger, McCarty & Pravdic, I have a unique understanding of Chicago’s diverse communities and the culture of Chicago’s legal community.

Michele Gansle.

Michelle Gansle, treasurer

Michele Gansle is a Chicago marketing analytics professional.
Anselmo @properties business card,
Ask Nagel business card.

Popular posts from this blog

Crime puts La Spata on the spot

By -
Image
Ald. Daniel La Spata (1st Ward) speaks to East Village Association members June 13, 2022. Weekend gunfire turned a scheduled meeting with Ald. Daniel LaSpata into an hourlong discussion of public safety. Residents pressed the alderman on police response to calls and his own response to violent crime. The June 13 meeting was streamed on EVA's Facebook page . La Spata stated that the number of aggravated batteries and carjackings had fallen in East Village's two beats but a rise of robberies had been "frustrating." In weekly calls with 12th District Cmdr. Beth Giltmier, La Spata said he pushed for Chicago Avenue foot patrols. Residents asked if more street cameras would be installed in the ward, noting that early morning shots fired on their block two days before had no police response for more than an hour. La Spata said cameras were funded from the ward's discretionary "menu money" but he would not commit to funding cameras without consulting Giltmi...
Read more

Ald. Villegas gets to know East Village

By -
Image
36th Ward Ald. Gilbert Villegas meets East Vlllage Association members Sept. 12, 2022 at Roots Pizza. East Village Association membership meeting Sept. 12, 2022, at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Dan Johnson, director East Village again is split in Chicago's City Council redistricting. Ald. Gilbert Villegas introduced himself to East Village Association members Sept. 12. In turn, members sounded him out on how he works with community groups on neighborhood issues. The remap pushes Villegas' 36th Ward boundaries east along Grand Avenue from Belmont Cragin into East Village. A West Town satellite office at 2246 W. Chicago Ave. is staffed Tuesday through Thursday. "I ran in 2019 under an acronym that I still use today, which is PEACE—Public Safety, Education Accountability, City Services and Economic Development," Villegas told EVA members before taking questions. "I'm not an alderman that's about defunding the police. I'm an alderma...
Read more