George Davis a paradigm shift and an Alderman for the 20th Ward

By Keela Thompson

Based on my experience working with community organizations I can tell you first hand that the time for new leadership is now. The 20th Ward needs progressive leadership that can set a vision and form alliances to accomplish goals quickly. As a corporate executive and a community activist that is exactly what I have done and will continue to do for the 20th Ward.

In his book, The 8^th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness, Stephen Covey stated, “If you want to make minor, incremental changes and improvement, work on practices, behavior or attitude. But if you want to make significant, quantum improvement, work on paradigms.” Chicago's 20^th Ward has established itself as an outstanding community with dedicated, committed, and hard-working individuals despite the leadership vacuum the community has faced for years. Now it is the time that the 20^th Ward rethinks it paradigm from good to great by moving towards a progressive and visionary leadership.

On three different occasions within the past two weeks, the name George Davis surfaced as the most qualified candidate to reshaped the paradigm and improve conditions within the 20^th Ward.

I called the George Davis for 20^th Ward campaign headquarter and schedule an appoint to have a tete a tete with Davis and to get to know him first hand. I also wanted to know why there was so much buzz about him. Despite his busy schedule, he was kind enough to talk to us in an exclusive interview for ChocolateCity.cc.

On the issue of why is he running for the position of Alderman of the 20^th Ward, Davis said he was spurred by the opportunity to make a difference in the 20th Ward. He has been very active in community organizing with The Woodlawn Organization, The Woodlawn Neighbors Association and as a Block Club Vice President. As a community activist he fought for safer streets, better services, and a cleaner community. He have been a part of and helped facilitate countless meetings with community residents, aldermen and police to strategize and improve our community.

Davis added, “Based on my experience working with community organizations I can tell you first hand that the time for new leadership is now. The 20th Ward needs progressive leadership that can set a vision and form alliances to accomplish goals quickly. As a corporate executive and a community activist that is exactly what I have done and will continue to do for the 20th Ward.”

Davis is a husband, father, businessman and community activist in the 20th Ward. He worked his way through college, earning a Law degree and an Masters of Business Administration (MBA).

Davis' political platform is unconventional on some points — he likes to think outside the box but he is quite serious about it. Many of his proposals resonate from his own life experience and living in the 20^th Ward. Here are some of them:

On the issue of Leadership, Davis plans to set a clear vision and direction for the ward.

On the issue of Accountability, he will ensure TRANSPARENCY and ACCOUNTABILITY within the Alderman’s office by setting clear objectives, deadlines, and ownership of deliverables.

On the issue of Empowerment, he will drive for CONSISTENCY throughout the ward by allocating dollars to each precinct and allowing residents to determine how the money will be utilized for improving their community.

On the issue of Crime and Violence; a member of his staff will be in regular attendance at CAPS meetings and he will work with the community to develop a short and long range plan with identifiable goals to address crime issues.

On the issue of Services; his office will make sure that the ward's Streets and Sanitation office is running efficiently.

On the issue of Economic Development; he will implement programs to bring in new manufacturers to create jobs and income.

The George Davis for 20^th Ward office website is GeorgeDavisfor20thWard.com, and on Facebook.