MAYOR VISITS SOUTH CHICAGO
ON APPRECIATION TOUR

On Wednesday, April 20, 2011 Mayor Daley made a stop in South Chicago at the site of the former Wisconsin Steel. There he was greeted by Alderman Pope, and a host of community leaders. Neil Bosanko, Executive Director of the South Chicago Chamber thanked him for the vision in aiding in the implementation of the streetcar now in it’s 3^rd year running; “Steel Milly” was on hand, to offer proof of what forward minded thinking the Mayor had for this great city. The site of the event is one of several new manufacturing developments planned for this region, bringing new jobs to the area. Asphalt Operating Services is building a plant at which liquid asphalt will be stored and then shipped to construction sites as needed. Daley said Wednesday that such construction is what will create jobs and help revitalize the Southeast Side neighborhoods, and it is why he chose to visit the construction site as part of his Neighborhood Appreciation Tour of all 50 wards in the month before he leaves office. Daley said the fact that people quit thinking in terms of finding a new steel mill to replace Wisconsin Steel and the other steel mills that used to exist in the area is what will help their neighborhoods thrive.   
 "You have to change with the times, or else you get stuck living in the past," Daley said, during his hourlong visit to the construction site. "The future is always brighter than the past." Asphalt Operating Services officials say construction of their new plant is about 70 percent complete, and that it was possible because of $45 million in Recovery Zone Facility Bonds issued by the city - along with property tax breaks granted by the Cook County Board. Owner Al Meitl said he thinks it's appropriate his company helped to clean up much of the industrial waste that was left by the old steel mill. "In essence, we recycled industrial land," he said. "That is an important statement." Daley said he sees such new plants as important because they come at a time when people are desperate for gainful employment Several local residents were given the chance to express their thoughts about Daley including Chamber Executive Director Neil Bosanko and Chamber President Angela Hurlock!