Event Calendar
January 2008 

1  Voter Registration!

2  Voter Registration!

3  Voter Registration!

4  Voter Registration!

5  Voter Registration!

6  Voter Registration!

7  Voter Registration!

8. City Council Mtg. Public Safety Bldg.  

9  Voter Registration!

10 Special B.O.E. Meeting

11  Voter Registration!

12  Voter Registration!

13  Voter Registration!

14  Voter Registration!

15  Voter registration deadline!

16  B.O.H. Meeting

17  B.O.E. Meeting

18 

19 

20 

21. MLK Services 9:30 a.m. steps of City Hall

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31

Welcome To The Drakeford
 Report

The City of Englewood, NJ has a new way of reporting news, looking at events and evaluating data all through the lens of a 4th Ward perspective.
 
On November 6, 2007, the voters of Englewood’s Fourth Ward rejected the outsider’s call for a change and re-elected Jack Drakeford to represent them on the Englewood City Council. With that mandate came a demand for better communications between the people and their elected officials. WE HEARD YOU!

To BETTER serve the citizens of the 4th Ward, Jack and a committee of concerned citizens have dedicated this site to the empowerment of the Ward. A place where we can identify our issues, look for answers to our problems and celebrate our accomplishments.

The 4th Ward can and will remain strong and productive by sharing our information, promoting our interests and unifying our votes. TOGETHER, we can help our children learn, improve the quality of life in our communities and keep our neighborhoods safe and livable.

Let us Continue to work for a Better 4th Ward and a Stronger City of Englewood.

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2008 Discussion Topics
A snap shot of the future talking points we will be looking at from a 4th Ward Perspective.

Affordable Housing
C.O.A.H. compliance?

Community Center
When & Where?

Crime/safety
Drug sales & enforcement?

Development
Lincoln School., New Fire House, etc.?

Education/schools
Who’s benefiting? Are Schools Safe?

Employment/Jobs
Systematic elimination of minorities?

Flooding
Are county projects helping?

Spending/services
Council decisions on?

Taxes
Revaluation?

Please submit your concerns!


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...2007 Year in Review…

1. OPEN FOR BUSINESS

 The Urban League of Bergen County re-opened their doors after a brief hiatus. The economic empowerment organization continues in its 89th  year to service African American and other disadvantaged minorities from its 106 W Palisade Ave offices. Let us not allow these doors to ever close again… 

2. NOT GUILTY!

 4th Ward resident, Police Chief David Bowmen and his co-defendants finally got their day in court. A jury of their peers found them NOT GUILTY on all counts. Yet the persecution continues…

 3. RE-ELECTED! 

Ward voters said Yes to incumbent Jack Drakeford and re-elected him to another term on City Council. They said No to outsiders calling for a change...

 4. REVALUATION!

The Council's vote to delay implementation of the City’s revaluation negatively impacts 4th  & 3rd Ward  property owners. The wait caused a reduction in the assessment rate thereby growing the pool. Large taxes increases for those who could lease afford them…. 

5. EDUCATION! 

The ”NJDOE reports that the high school (DMHS/AE) did not meet AYP success in two categories, specifically African Americans and economically disadvantaged.”… 

6. DEVELOPMENT! 

City Council makes deal. Town Center still has a extra floor along with Cracks, Mold and Rodents. Welcome neighbors, but no walking of dogs in King Gardens allowed… 

7. SHOOTING! 

A shooting at Ashanti International Cuisine injures 5. Could this have been avoided by simple enforcement of local codes…. 

8. BREAST WALK! 

Mackay Park hosted the truly worthwhile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Future planning should include Ward representatives and residents. Any public venue closing must provide prior notification... 

9. UNREST ANNIVERSARY! 

The summer of 1967 saw discontent turn into fire bombing, looting and riot gear. Major social and political changes followed. Has anything changed… 

10 SOUL FOOD! 

Ruthie Mae’s authentic Bar-B-Qued Soul Kitchen arrives at 90 W Palisade Av (Armory St entrance)... 

11. NO SHOWS! 

2007 was minus two well anticipated events, ‘Englewood Day’ and ‘Uptown Basketball Summer League’. What’s up for 08 City Council?.... 

12. ELZIE WEST! 

The ‘granddaddy’ of Englewood merchants died in September. He was a pioneer. The first African American shopkeeper on the City's main commercial strip. He owned and operated West Vacuum Cleaner Shop, a 4th Ward icon…..

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