Some locals in the area agree that the economy is to blame for the slowdown, but one candidate running  for alderman in the 32^nd Ward– which also includes Wicker Park, Lakeview and Bucktown — blames the current alderman, Scott Waguespack.

“Scott Waguespack hasn’t allowed for smart growth within the ward, and that can hurt a community,” said David Pavlik, a Democratic candidate.

Pavlik, along with Brian Gorman, Bryan P. Lynch, Peter V. Diaz and Scott Waguespack, have filed their petitions to get on the Feb. 22 ballot.

Mary Markarian, executive director of the Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce, said despite economical harsh times, development has slowed down in a good way since Waguespack defeated longtime incumbent Ted Matlak in 2007.

“Zoning isn’t flying through as quickly as it was under Matlak’s regime. Developers actually have to make appointments to sit down with Waguespack to discuss plans,” said Markarian, who supports his administration.

Waguespack said over-development in the ward was one of his biggest challenges in his first couple years as alderman.

“Development was out of control and a difficult situation to deal with. But we were able to get a handle on it to create a fair playing field for everyone,” said Waguespack.

Ted Matlak didn’t return phone calls.

Michael Root, a real estate broker at Root Reality in Roscoe, said business was booming while Matlak was in office because he helped change the zoning ordinances for building within the ward.

He said it used to be that business developers couldn’t build within a structure previously used for manufacturing, until Matlak changed the regulations so they could be used for condos and store fronts.

“ [The zoning change] helped small and big business growth. It helped Roscoe grow. Now, it’s difficult to get any kind of business going,” said Root.

Root said Waguespack came into office after the economy took a hit, and it wouldn’t matter who was alderman now because the development is slow in every ward, he said.

“Credit got killed. Banks failed. Developers got scared. I don’t think any alderman has any control over what’s happened, or what will happen in this ward,” said Root.

Jamie Simone, program manager at The Wicker Park and Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, said there are several vacant store fronts in Wicker Park and Bucktown still waiting to be bought, leased or rented.

She said the development setback in the ward has a little to do with the economy — or Waguespack.

“I think both have played into the development slow down. Whatever new development that goes past [Waguespack], he makes sure it makes sense,” said Simone, who said the commerce supports Waguespack.

Lisa Piemonte, owner of Lazy Dog Antiques in Roscoe Village, said Waguespack has an interest in smaller business development in the area and shows up every month to the Belmont Avenue business meetings — something Matlak never did, she said.

“I never knew who the alderman was, until he was already gone. That just goes to show you how little he was involved in the community,” said Lisa Piemonte, who has had her business in Roscoe for six years.

Pavlik said some parts of the ward have lost their character because of over-development from Matlak’s administration, but there has to be a ‘happy medium’ between the residents, businesses and developers within the community in an area at the center of the city’s gentrification.

“There is a common ground where we can sensibly develop a ward so that we have nice new homes and businesses, without losing the integrity and character of a neighborhood,” said Pavlik.

Gorman didn’t return phone calls.

Sulfer-processing plant at the Port of Stockton in Stockton, Calif. Photo from http://californiaaerialphotography.blogspot.com.

“I would like to be educated on sulfur,” Commissioner George W. Migala said before voting in favor of the project. “So that in the future, if something unusual were to happen, I would not regret my vote that I may make today.”

If ultimately approved by Chicago City Council, Savage Services Co. will use the land to operate, store and ship sulfur by boat and truck to cities across the United States and internationally.

Jason Sanders, environmental director for Savage, said the liquid-based chemical would be solidified into a pellet-form byproduct– primarily used as a fertilizer–at the refinery site to make for easier storing and shipping.

He said the process of solidifying sulfur, or prilling, would not affect the environment, and said the company has applied for air and water permits from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

“We will have some storm water discharge from our parking lot, so we’re working with [EPA] to get that permit as soon as possible,” said Sanders.

EPA would not confirm or deny any application from the Savage Services Co.

Jim Nelson, water specialist for the Association of Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts, said if the sulfur pellets were to fall from the boat or somehow get into the storm water run-off, it could cost harm.

He said often times, the water being used to cool the pellets at these types of refineries is water directly from the river, and if not treated correctly can affect the surrounding marina life.

“Keeping [sulfur] out of the water would be the key. The safety precautions on the barge, or whatever they’re using to ship this product, would be my main concern,” said Nelson, of the non-profit conservation group.

Nelson said there are two types of water pollutants, non-point and point source pollution. Non-point pollution is water run-off from agriculture, and point pollution is caused from industrial and sewage treatment plants, in this case sulfur, he said.

Savage has the nation’s largest sulfur terminals and facilities in Galveston, Texas, and Tampa, Fl.; with the capacity to receive over one million tons of liquid sulfur annually, and distribute 10 million tons.

Ed Ivey, Savage general manager, said the company’s dependency on the river was crucial in deciding the location for the plant.

He said the river would make for easy access from Lake Calumet to the Mississippi River and virtually anywhere else in the country.

“It’s definitely cheaper to ship the sulfur pellets, as opposed to trying to distribute the liquid sulfate. And the river allows us to access all Mississippi ports,” said Ivey.

Ivey said this location would bring business and jobs to the Midwest region; Ten jobs would be created at the Chicago location, including two full-time positions and up to five truck-driving jobs.

Ivey declined to say how much the facility will cost to erect.

Savage has a similar processing facility where they store and prill sulfur located in Donaldsonville, La., and serves the southern part of the United Stated.

After the meeting, one commissioner said she had received a lesson in chemistry, a subject she never particularly cared for.

“I never did well in high school chemistry, but I sure did learn a lot about sulfur today. I think [Savage] has potential,” said Commissioner Doris B. Holleb.

Peter Strazzabosco, spokesperson for zoning and land use planning, said a date for the project to be considered by the Chicago City Council to vote on the proposal hasn’t been set.

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica said the “Foreclosure Mediation Program” targets the wrong demographic.

“What disturbs me in particular is that the majority of the people receiving assistance are unable to afford to live in their homes; people with no assets and low net-to-debt ratio,” said Peraica.

The Cook County Board approved the $3.5 million project in November 2009 that provides housing counseling and assistance to some 60,000 people facing foreclosures.

The program — modeled after a similar program in Philadelphia — involves four state and local organizations: Chicago Legal Volunteer Services, The Chicago Bar Foundation, The Chicago Community Trust and The Illinois Housing Development Authority.

Peraica said since the foreclosure program began nearly a year ago, there have been just 28 completed mediations out of the 412 applicants during that period. According to a report handed out at the September 15 Cook County Board meeting, more than 85 percent of the applications end up in default, meaning the applicants don’t follow through with the program, he said.

Judge Dorothy Kinnaird of the Circuit Court of Cook County said the default rates cited in the report were collected before the first mediation period in July, and said the numbers will improve by the end of the year.

“I don’t respond to commissioners,” Kinnaird said. “Commissioner Peraica has his facts mixed up.”

Kinnaird said it’s too early to tell what the default rates are now, but a report will be available during the second mediation period in December.

Periaca responded to Kinnaird’s statement and said he got the numbers from the report that was handed out at the meeting. He said until he sees facts that these kinds of programs are working, he will not change his stance.

Andrew Celis, program specialist at Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, said the first step in dealing with foreclosure is making the applicant aware of the programs available and educating them about their options.

The reason people aren’t responding to the foreclosure programs is because they are embarrassed and unfamiliar with the situation, he said.

“That 85 percent is because of intimidation,” Celis said. “The process of going through foreclosure is intimidating to families who haven’t been in this situation before.”

Celis said he worked with a municipal worker recently who had his hours cut by 20 percent earlier this year. Being the only working member in the household, the applicant found himself in a situation that he never imagined, he said.

Celis was able to save the family’s home by refinancing the mortgage of the property to make their monthly payments more affordable.

He said more homeowners would be able to save their homes if there was more outreach and support from local communities.

“These types of programs work, but the need is larger than resources we have out there. I think we do an excellent job of the resources we do have, however,” said Celis.

Celis said Neighborhood Housing is the only not-for-profit foreclosure program in Chicago, and focuses on strengthening low- to moderate-income neighborhoods by keeping the residents in their homes. When dealing with a legal matter, he said, he refers applicants to the Cook County mediation program.

For more information on upcoming NHS foreclosure events or ways to help with the mediation process, visit nhschicago.org or needhelppayingmybills.com.

They sell the art at local festivals and events to support their income, while sharing the wealth with other parents. Some have even found jobs teaching classes through the program, like Maria Rosa Martinez, the instructor of the arts class, who said her courses prepare parents to get ahead.

“It’s a way for people to create their own business and get a hand with work to become independent artisans,” said Martinez.

The Resurrection Project funds the local after-school program, “Elev8 Chicago.” Elev8 is held for both students and adults during the school year offering afternoon classes that range from art and yoga classes, to basic computer and English courses.

Elev8 Site Coordinator Luis Bermudez said five different schools throughout Chicago offer similar after-school programs, including Ames Middle School in Logan Square and Reavis Elementary School in Hyde Park. Bermudez said the art class at Orozco was designed to create economic opportunities for parents while building a stronger school community.

“Like The Resurrection Project, it’s a holistic development. It’s not enough to provide an after-school program for kids,” said Bermudez. “The idea is to see the family as a whole by partnering with other organizations. That’s all part of Elev8, and the art component is just part of something larger.”

What once started as a small art class of 10 parents almost three years ago has grown to classes of 180-some adults.

Sonia Zamora, parent-leader and volunteer at Orozco, said although the art classes are free, the cost to run the arts program can be pricey when adding the materials, such as corn flour, baby oil, paints and chemicals used to preserve the ceramic. The overall cost to run the adult after-school program is $20,000 a year, and $28,000 to $30,000 for the student program.

“It’s expensive to do this kind of workshop, and sometimes the school doesn’t have enough funds,” said Zamora.

Resurrection Project Board member Raul Hernandez said if the funding from local organizations and help from other programs in the community were not available, this opportunity for parents and students would not be possible; companies such as Atlantis Philanthropy and Northern Trust have donated thousands of dollars to the project. He said with these alliances through organizations, churches and local businesses, The Resurrection Project is working to place more programs in the community, but help is limited.

“Funding is hard to come by, and it’s been a struggle for us to get those funds,” said Hernandez.

Resurrection Project Executive Director Raul Raymundo said it’s a joint effort from the community and groups like Elev8 that make these types of programs possible, and he hopes to see more classes. He said The Resurrection Project is partnering with schools like Orozco to bring resources that provide opportunities for parents and students to better themselves.

“Elev8 has improved our quality of life at many levels but, most important, it has given us an opportunity to grow as parents to be able to help our children succeed academically and beyond,” said Zamora.

The Resurrection Project also funds community investment in subsidized homes, rental housing for seniors and community facilities, such as day care. For more information how to get involved in these programs, or to help fund this organization, visit www.resurrectionproject.org.