By: Charles S. Mombo
@charlessmombo, @burnedbrass
Article Sponsored by: Chicago-based Search Engine Optimization and Social Media Marketing Consulting Firm
Patricia Horton, a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) launches her re-election bid.
I recently caught up with Patricia Horton, a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) at Café 53 located in Hyde Park, Chicago to discuss her March 2012 re-election bid, share some light on MWRD and to discuss her recent meeting with the Democratic Party slating committee. Despite Horton’s very busy schedule, she was kind enough to find the time to sit and talk with me over some hummus and flatbread and a cup of coffee.
MWRD was originally known as the Sanitary District of Chicago. Since 1889, it has been a special-purpose district that is chartered to operate in northern Illinois. Although its name may imply otherwise, it is not a part of the City of Chicago's local government. It is an independent agency of the state and is governed by a nine-member Board of Commissioners. The commissioners are elected for six-year terms. Terms are staggered so that three commission chairs are open every two years. MWRD's main purpose is the reclamation and treatment of wastewater in Cook County to protect the health of citizens and of area waterways. With an annual budget of approximately $1 billion, MWRD is one of the world’s largest wastewater treatment agencies, serving the equivalent of 10 million people.
Cook County Democratic Party slate-making, a grand and caricatured political tradition, remains intact with what appeared to be an invisible sign over the door of the slating room that reads “play at your own risk.” Some Chicago politicians are starting to believe that the party’s slate-making process is becoming a legal barrier to entry that, at times, prevents seasoned, qualified and proven politicians.
Cook County Central Committee performs the task of slate-making. The 80 Committeeman from the townships and wards of Cook County meet to nominate candidates. Although it is an elected position, Committeeman is a voluntary party office with no salary.
The procedures in which candidate nominations proceed towards endorsement are through a committee process. Four committees exist currently, Supreme & Appellate Court Judges, Circuit Court Judges, County-wide/MWRD, and State-wide. Members are appointed to the committees by the County Party Chairman most often based on individual Committeeman's requests. Each committee hears from any and all candidates wishing to present for the offices their committee is responsible for and they vote to make recommendations to the Central Committee, which is a committee of all 80 committeeman, as to who to support. Recommendations from each of the committees are presented by the committee chairs and at this point the Central Committee accepts motions and proceeds to vote.
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Charles S. Mombo of ChocolatecITY.CC recently caught up with Patricia Horton, a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) at Café 53 located in Hyde Park, Chicago to discuss her March 2012 re-election bid, share some light on MWRD and to discuss her recent meeting with the Democratic Party slating committee. Despite Horton’s very busy schedule, she was kind enough to find the time to sit and talk with me over some hummus and flatbread and a cup of coffee.
Following is ChocolateCity.cc’s (CC) interview with Patricia Horton (PH), a commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago.
CC: Are you originally from Chicago?
PH: Yes. I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago.
CC: Where did you go to school and what was your major in college?
PH: I studied at North Park University and earned my B.A. in Organizational Management. I obtained a Liberal Arts degree in Applied Science at Truman College and studied at DePaul University. I also earned a technical certificate from the Illinois Medical Society.
CC: What do you think about the Cook County Democratic Party slate-making process?
PH: It is what it is!
CC: What are some of your accomplishment as Commissioner during the past five years?
PH: There are nine commissioners on the MWRD board and we collectively make decisions for Cook County residence. First the District went environmental and from there we purchased 30 electrical vehicles to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We banned pesticides and herbicides on all MWRD’s grounds. Considering that we are the second largest landowner in Chicago, that’s a lot of real-estate. We increased transparency by putting information on the Internet and saved trees by going paperless. Personally, I am passionate about affirmative action, jobs and education. I have strongly advocated for WBE/MBE contracts and have committed myself by doing free speaking engagements and creating awareness to students, businesses and senior citizens.
CC: How many MWRD facilities are there?
PH: There are a total of ten MWRD facilities. They are Calumet, Egan, Hanover Park, Kirie, Lemont, Lockport, Mainstream, North Side, Prairie Plan, and Stickney. These facilities include a total of 7 treatment plants.
CC: Which of the facilities are the largest and oldest?
PH: Stickney is the largest. Chicago is a trend setter; people come from around the world to see and learn how we treat water at the facilities. Calumet City and North Side plants are the oldest. The Calumet Plant is located at 130th Street and Torrence Avenue in Chicago and the North Side plant is located at Howard and McCormick Boulevard in Skokie.
CC: How much water do you treat per year?
PH: We can treat up to 1.5 billion gallons a day/365 billion across the system average.
CC: What is the difference between the Water District and the Chicago Water Department?
PH: All water coming in is Chicago Water Department and water going out is Water District. The District is a separate entity. We also take care of engineering for all storm water run off.
CC: Approximately how many people are served by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and what area does MWRD cover?
PH: Approximately 5 million in Cook County users are served by Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago and 5 million industrial users. We cover Cook County and 124 municipalities.
CC: Does this also include recreational waterways?
PH: No. The waterways were built for commerce and not designed for recreation but times are changing; therefore we have to think of ways to be creative with our waterways.
CC: How many miles of waterways does MWRD clean and protect?
PH: There are approximately 78 miles of navigable waterways that we manage and 1,300 small stream and tributary miles.
CC: Do you head any special projects at the District? If so, what is your agenda for each project?
PH: I chair the Industrial Waste and Water Pollution Committee as well as the Public Health & Welfare Committee. As a Commissioner, I am responsible for writing policies and procedures that protect the health and safety of Cook County residents, protecting the quality and water supply source from Lake Michigan along with approving a budget of 1 billion dollars annually. In addition, I implement procedures for proper disposal of prescription drugs and over the counter medicines.
CC: How did you get focused on water issues?
PH: While traveling to Bangladesh under the sponsorship of the Women’s Self-Employment Project, my primary goal was to learn more about systems for providing bank loans to women starting their own business but came away with something more. While observing the impoverished poor drinking from the same community pond that domesticated animals bathed in and witnessing the resultant diseases ravishing the local population, I internalized, on a visceral level, the vital importance of clean water. I left Bangladesh with a renewed passion couple with tears filled-eyes vitalized with a new and deeply personal mission. Upon returning to Chicago, I made a home for myself at the library absorbing any and all information on issues pertaining to water. With hindsight, my many and varied experiences could be viewed as preparation for the discovery of my true calling. I thought I was going to be a missionary in a third world country but my mission is here in Cook County as your Commissioner of Water Reclamation.
CC: How do you see Cook County residents fairing – given all the water shortages in the U.S. and globally last year and, what is the District’s long range plan to deal with this very important issue.
PH: Geographically, Chicago is located at one of the best places on the planet. Approximately 97% of all water on earth is salt water and the remaining 3% is fresh water. Approximately 2% of that 3% is locked up in ice caps, from Alaska; I have witnessed the fresh water of the glaciers falling into salt water in Alaska. The 1% remaining usable is fresh water – of that, 20% of that lies here in the Great Lakes. This means that we are privy to having one of the largest allocations for fresh water. The District is a strict conservationist as well as very serious environmentalists when it comes to our water. Therefore, we have developed long and short-term initiatives that will keep the water shortage from affecting Cook County residents in any dramatic way.
CC: I recently read an excellent article by a Darius King in which he talked about your “unwavering, and unflinching support” when it comes to health care for woman and minority and your support in helping to bridge the digital divide. What other committees are you involve with?
PH: Most of what I do is done in the background. It's not about meCC: For the sake of possible supporter, is there a fund raising event coming up or how can a person volunteer or financially contribute to your campaign?
PH: I’m glad you asked. We have a major fund raising event coming up on November 3, 2011, 5:30pm – 7:00pm at Jimmy Fig’s located at 160 N. Franklin, Chicago. Please see the calendar on PatriciaHorton.net for more detail. With regards to contribution, there is a “Donation” page on PatriciaHorton.net that allows you to make contribution through our secure PayPal link. There is also a “Volunteer” link on the website. Additionally, you may contact Shekinah Horton shekinahhorton [at] yahoo.com / 773-738-3447 with questions.
CC: Commissioner Horton, thank you for taking the time out ofyour busy schedule to talk tome.
PH: You are most welcome Mr. Mombo.
While speaking with Commissioner Horton, I could not help but noticed that she is an outstanding, intelligent and a tenacious woman who truly loves what she does and cares about the people of Cook County. My concern is that since the MWRD is a hidden jewel, Cook County residents might not notice the contributions people like Horton has made on their behalves. I am also concern that at times the slate makers tend to hold onto old habits by “looking out” for their friends or relatives of friends. Politics should not be about friends but rather about dedicated, committed and seasoned individuals that are committed to getting the “people’s business” done.
Facebook: Re-Elect Patricia Horton
Twitter: @PatriciaHorton1
Twitter Hashtag: # PatriciaHorton1, #Re-ElectPatriciaHorton
Website: PatriciaHorton.net
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