Q&A with JEFF BOYAJIAN 2nd Ward Alderman
AGE 40 YEARS IN TOWN Lifelong resident OCCUPATION Assistant Public Works Supervisor and Fire Department Captain with the Village of Stickney
As an assistant public works supervisor with the village of Stickney, 2nd Ward Alderman Jeff Boyajian is lending his expertise to the city as chair of the council’s Public Works Committee.
Boyajian is a lifelong Berwyn resident and currently lives in the 2nd Ward with his wife and two children. This is the third in a series of Q&As with all six of Berwyn’s newly-elected aldermen. Check back next week to read about Rafael Avila’s vision and goals for the 7th Ward.
Q As alderman, what do you plan to do to further the revitalization and economic development efforts along Ogden Avenue?
A I am looking forward to working closely with the Berwyn Development Corp., city administration, and the area businesses in an effort to promote new and existing businesses. Economic development is an issue in all areas of Berwyn, not just the 2nd Ward. We all need to work together to make Berwyn a place where people want to do business.
Q What are your priorities for the 2nd Ward?
A I am currently working on parking and traffic issues with both the Police Department and the Parking and Traffic Committee. In conversations with 2nd Ward residents we have identified several dangerous intersections including 35th Street and Ridgeland Avenue and those issues have been referred for study.
In talking with residents, blight and graffiti are also areas of concern. These are problems that need to be addressed in a timely matter and I will work with those administrators responsible to make sure they are resolved as quickly as possible.
Q As an alderman what are some ideas or proposals you have to reduce crime in Berwyn?
A It is critical that all members of the City Council work closely with the Police Department to fight crime throughout the city. Even in these hard economic times, I would be in favor of increasing the number of officers to include the implementation of a full-time staffed gang task force.
Q As the chair of the Public Works Committee, what are some of the issues the group is currently working on? And what are some of the long-term issues the committee hopes to tackle and how?
A The city has recently reinstated the Forestry Department. This means that services like tree trimming and storm cleanup will now be done by the Public Works Department and not by an outside contractor. This will allow those services to be handled in a more timely fashion than in the past.
In addition to tree trimming, snow removal and street sweeping are also hot topics throughout the city. The Public Works Committee will be working with the Traffic Engineer and the Parking and Traffic Committee to come up with a new and improved snow removal and street sweeping program.
Q Any other thoughts or comments?
A I thank the residents of the 2nd Ward for putting their trust in me with their vote. I look forward to working with my neighbors in the 2nd Ward and invite them to contact me with any issues or concerns they may have. I have made it my priority to be their voice on the City Council and will convey their needs to the best of my ability.
