Voter's Guide to Evanston Elections April 9, 2013

See who's on the ballot and read about the issues facing voters in city council races, school board races and the contest for township supervisor.

Despite the fact that every spot on the city council, as well as the mayor's seat, is up for election in 2013, there are just a few contested races in Evanston.  Voters in the first ward and sixth ward have a choice between two candidates on the ballot, while fifth ward voters have the opportunity to choose a write-in candidate. The position of township supervisor is also up for grabs. When it comes to local school districts, eight candidates are running for four seats on the Evanston Township High School District 202 School Board. The Evanston/Skokie School District 65 race is uncontested, however. First Ward Candidates: Judy Fiske, Edward Tivador Local business owner and incumbent Ald. Judy Fiske is running against newcomer Edward …

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ECTV's 'The Reporters'

First Ward Candidate Edward Tivador Talks Development, Northwestern

School superintendent Edward Tivador is running against incumbent Ald. Judy Fiske for the first ward seat on the city council. Tivador answered questions from reporters during an Evanston Community Television forum.

School superintendent and first ward candidates Edward Tivador answered questions from reporters during a recent Evanston Community Television forum. His opponent, incumbent Ald. Judy Fiske, could not make the forum. Click on the video above to hear what Tivador had to say about his experience as superintendent of Northbrook/Glenview School District 30, about the ideal relationship between first ward residents and Northwestern University and his ideas for economic development.

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Meet First Ward City Council Candidates Fiske, Tivador

Incumbent Judy Fiske is running against challenger Edward Tivador in the race for the first ward seat on the Evanston City Council. Find their answers to our questions here.

First Ward Ald. Judy Fiske is running against challenger Edward Tivador for a seat on the city council. Click on each candidate's name below to read their answers to our Q&A.  Judy Fiske - Owner of the local business Fit + Frisky, Fiske stresses the importance of protecting the lakefront and bringing more office and retail business downtown to balance development. Citywide, Fiske says economic development is the most important issue, followed by safety, trust in government and efficient delivery of services. Edward Tivador - The Supt. of Northbrook/Glenview District 30 says he would try to find common ground among the competing interests of the first ward, including residents, Northwestern University and economic development. Citywide, he …

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First Ward Candidate Judy Fiske: Protect the Lakefront, Bring Office and Retail Downtown

First ward Ald. and local business owner Judy Fiske is running for her second term on the city council. She stresses the importance of balanced development downtown and protecting the lakefront.

First ward alderman Judy Fiske, owner of the local pet supply store Fit + Frisky, is running for re-election to a second term on the Evanston city council. Here are her answers to the questions we posed to Fiske and first ward challenger Edward Tivador. 1. How long have you lived in Evanston/the first ward? Five generations of my family have lived in Evanston & Wilmette. I have lived in the 1st Ward most of my life. For many years, I was a licensed Realtor on the North Shore, so I think I know the entire city really well. 2. How long have you served as first ward alderman? I was elected in April 2009. But I've been active in local issues here for more than two decades.  Click here to read our Q&A with first ward challenger Edward Tivador. …

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Some Evanston Dog Owners Want Year-Round Access to Dog Beach

What suggestions do you have for the City regarding Evanston's dog beach? Tell us in the comments section.

  More than 30 Evanston residents recently met with Ald. Judy Fiske (1st Ward) to discuss Evanston’s dog beach, with most dog owners calling for year-round access to the beach, The Daily Northwestern reported.  Other requests for the Evanston dog beach, 1811 Sheridan Rd., which is officially closed from Dec. 1 to March 31, includes moving the entrance of the beach to the south end of the park and making parking more accessible, The Daily Northwestern reported.  Related Coverage 

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Objection Withdrawn Against First Ward Challenger

An Evanston resident who claimed first ward candidate Edward Tivador did not have proper signatures withdrew her objection on Friday. Tivador is running against incumbent Judy Fiske.

Challenger Edward Tivador will remain on the ballot, opposing Ald. Judy Fiske for election in the first ward, after Evanston resident withdrew her objection to Tivador’s paperwork Friday morning. Barbara Janes had filed an objection against Tivador on the grounds that he did not have the proper signatures to run for office, according to city clerk Rodney Greene. She withdrew her objection at the beginning of a city hearing that took place Friday morning, Greene said.  “Once she withdrew her objection, it ended everything right there,” he said, explaining that there was no discussion of the matter at the hearing. In her objection, Janes claimed that some of the same people had signed both candidates’ petitions for nomination. Any duplicate …

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Controversial Bank Drive-Through Could Go Forward On Crawford

Despite opposition from neighbors, Evanston aldermen gave the go-ahead for zoning changes that could allow Chase Bank to build drive-through lanes at Crawford Avenue and Gross Point Road.

Despite opposition from neighbors to a proposed Chase Bank at Crawford Avenue and Gross Point Road, Evanston aldermen voted Monday to approve introduction of an ordinance that would allow a drive-through on the property with a special use permit.  Edgemark Development LLC has plans to build the 4,200-square-foot bank on two lots at the intersection: a former gas station at 2628 Gross Point Road and a residential lot at 2635 Crawford Avenue. In order to construct two drive-through lanes and an ATM drive-through, developers must obtain an amendment to the zoning code that permits drive-throughs as a special use. Neighbors say they fear traffic from the bank drive-throughs will create more congestion and potential accidents at an intersection…

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Evanston Residents Say No to NU Frats, Sororities and Dorms on Roycemore Site

As Northwestern University prepares to take control of the Roycemore School building, Evanstonians are concerned about some possible property uses.

Evanston residents at Tuesday night’s 1st Ward meeting were blunt in their opposition to the possibility of Northwestern University fraternities, sororities, or dormitories moving into the soon-to-be vacant Roycemore School building. The Roycemore School, a private pre-kindergarten through 12th Grade school located at 640 Lincoln St., will move to a new building at 1200 Davis St., likely sometime later this year, after a 96-year stay at its current location.  In 2008, Northwestern University, which owns the land on which Roycemore currently sits, decided not to renew Roycemore’s 99-year lease, eying the 68,000 square-foot building as ideal for potential future expansion. Such expansion is what worries nearby residents, though, who fear …

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Council Approves Initial Steps Toward Advertising Pilot Program

The Council voted 6-1 Tuesday night to seek advertising proposals from third-parties for city spaces.

The Evanston City Council voted 6-1 to approve the request for a proposal of the implementation of an Advertising Pilot Program Tuesday evening. The city is considering adopting a pilot program that will allow third-party advertisers to use municipal space as an advertising venue. This includes city spaces like parking garages, free-standing kiosks, sides of waste receptacles, and Fountain Square in addition to beach houses, lifeguard stands and trail mike markers on the lakefront. Prior to the vote, Alderman Judy Fiske (1st Ward) stated that the residents of her ward were not in favor of the plan to integrate advertising into city structures and beaches for the sake of additional revenue. “I’m going to oppose this, I’m very concerned …

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About Town

The Evanston Suit

Purple polished cotton flatters any Evanstonian.

Have you seen the limited edition "Evanston Suit"?  It's offered for a cool $400 on www.bonobos.com.  Described as a Purple Polished Cotton Suit, it boasts two button closures, working button cuffs (as opposed to the unemployed version?), dual vents and, best of all, a purple gingham cotton liner. With free shipping BOTH ways, it seems silly not to consider it for your holiday shopping.   Considering what a statement this fashion forward item makes on any one of our elected officials, it's easy to see how this item might sell out quickly. Operators are standing by.

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