About the Candidate
Name: Jewel R. Easterling‐Smith
DOB: July 1962
Family: Married with two girls, two grandchildren
Occupation: Educator
Political Experience: Founder of Adopt My Block Community Organization
Website: friendsofjewel.org
Candidate Statement
Hello,
My name is Jewel Easterling-Smith and I am running for Alderman of the 8th ward.
An Alderman is elected by THE PEOPLE to represent THEM in the City Council.
As Alderman...
There will be NO BACKROOM DEALS regarding what developments come into our ward
As Alderman...
I WILL NOT VOTE 100% with a Mayor on issues that have a negative impact on OUR communities
As Alderman...
I WILL NOT SUPPORT COVER-UPS like the LaQuan McDonald murder
MY PLATFORM IS SIMPLE: I WILL WORK TO “T. I. E.” THE COMMUNITIES OF THE 8TH WARD TOGETHER TO MAKE IT THE “JEWEL” IT ONCE WAS. (TIE-transparency, inclusion, and equity.)
As Alderman, I promise that the residents’ concerns and suggestions will be at the forefront of the decision making process. That’s transparency.
My holistic approach will work to develop and train the businesses to perform at an optimal level. I will institute a participatory budget to ensure the ward is involved. That’s inclusion.
I will work hard to ensure that the 8th ward has ALL the provisions, ALL the products, and ALL the services that we are entitled to. That’s equity.
PLAIN and SIMPLE- I will work WITH the people, FOR the people, to make sure the 8th ward is the JEWEL it once was.
I am Jewel Easterling-Smith.
Candidate Q&A
What is your vision for this office?
My vision is to commit to the social and economic development of all residents of the 8th ward. The 8th ward can and will be a community that we can all be proud of again‐making it the JEWEL it once was. Ensuring that all stakeholders and businesses are accountable for the direction of our community is a must for our economic survival. To ensure the success of the Alderman’s office, I will effectively focus on a model of success I created that will T.I.E. the 8th ward communities together through “Transparency, Inclusion, and Equity”.
What is the most pressing issue facing constituents, and how can you help address it?
The most pressing issue facing constituents is the fact that we have no viable economic development projects that (1) increase jobs for residents of the community (2) bring in revenue to the community (3) reduce the vacant homes in the community (jobs and revenue bring new residents to an area).
