Nov. 1st Mayoral Candidates Forum at St. Paul Community Development Ministries

Deborah Bayliss | As of Thursday, October 30, 2014

Probation Challenge, a youth advocacy and educational program and the South Shore Garden Betterment Association (SSGBA), recently partnered to hold a Mayoral Candidates Debate/Forum centered on issues pertaining Chicago’s youth and senior citizens.

The SSGBA's mission is to create, maintain, and support community initiatives and policies that preserve and promote the highest quality of life for the South Shore, South Chicago, Avalon Park and Calumet Heights communities and their respective citizens, according to the organization's website.

“We are supporting Probation Challenge on this because we think it’s very important to hear the candidates address these issues,” said Johnny Acoff, first vice president with the SSGBA. “We need to hire more police officers for the South Side. The north side of Chicago and the downtown areas are covered. You can call the police here in our area and they just don’t show up. We need to select a person for mayor who will look out for us.”

Business owner and community activist, Dr. Amara Enyia, police veteran, Frederick Collins, William Dock Walls, independent political activist, Ald. Bob Fioretti, (4th Ward), and former Cook County Commissioner, Robert Shaw, are all running to challenge Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

According to Acoff, all of the candidates, except Mayor Emanuel, have confirmed their attendance for the event that will start at noon, Nov. 1 at the St. Paul Community Development Center, 4526 S. Wabash Ave.

The Rev. Harold E. Bailey, founder and president of Probation Challenge, a former Cook County Probation officer and former chair of the Cook County Board of Corrections, said he stepped out of his comfort zone to hold the candidates forum.

“The people of Chicago don’t know what’s going on and are looking for someone with credibility,” said Bailey. “I’m for justice instead of criminal justice. These young people have caught hell. We’re putting the youth in the same room with our seniors to bridge the gap that exists between them.”

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