1st Ward Alderman Manny Flores

Technology can be a wonderful tool. Over the last decade, advances in communication technology have enabled us to send messages across enormous distances instantly, stay informed on the latest breaking news, post our thoughts on personal blogs and share pictures and videos with friends and family all over the world.  Websites like MySpace, Twitter and Facebook have led to the development of online communities that can exchange information at any time of day, regardless of physical location.  As long as you have a computer and Internet access, you can remain constantly connected.

Imagine if that same approach, community development and connectedness through the use of modern technology, could be applied to help us improve our physical communities.  Imagine if we could use the internet as a tool to bring our neighbors together for local events and festivals, to learn about local retailers and services, and to contribute towards discussions that would allow us to share our thoughts about important local issues.

This is exactly what Our Urban Times is all about.  This website, a truly local online newspaper serving the Chicago’s near northwest side neighborhoods, has the potential to be a powerful tool for our community.  However, this tool can only reach its potential through the participation of engaged and dedicated residents working together.  It is up to each of us to lend our voice to the discussion.  It is up to each of us to contribute our time and talent to our community.  Together, we can aim to bring neighbors together, effectively address common issues and support the development of local businesses.

The creation of this website is an important step towards these goals.  Now, it is time for the residents of Chicago’s near northwest side community to utilize this tool to learn, to gather and to share.  Together, we can make Our Urban Times a point of pride for our community.

But, Our Urban Times is not the only way that we can stay engaged online.  In May of 2009, I helped launch www.greeneconomychicago.com.  GreenEconomyChicago is about working together to find practical solutions to the environmental challenges facing our world and our city, while also building a strong, environmentally responsible economy for Chicago’s future.  On the GreenEconomyChicago site, visitors can register for an account and begin posting and discussing ideas concerning public transit, energy, and new green building guidelines.  The focus is on community collaboration aimed at finding practical solutions to environmental concerns.  Just as with Our Urban Times, participation is the key to success, and each individual who contributes their voice through GreenEconomyChicago strengthens our discussions. Websites like Our Urban Times and GreenEconomyChicago are great resources to help residents stay engaged and informed, but, in the end, the responsibility lies with each one of us to remain dedicated to improving our community. 

I am proud of my community, of the wonderful individuals that work hard everyday to make our neighborhoods a lovely place to visit and live in; and I am confident that these same individuals, many of them readers of this online newspaper, will help bring forth an even brighter future for Chicago’s near northwest side community.

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Alderman Manuel "Manny" Flores represents the 1st Ward in the City of Chicago. Flores was first elected to the City Council in 2003, and is now serving his second term.