CALUMET CITY â Thaddeus Jones took over as mayor barely three weeks ago, but he s not wasting any time addressing what he sees as the city s most pressing needs.
In a Monday morning tour around the city, Jones gave the Times an exclusive look at his plans to revitalize River Oaks Center, redevelop the site of a demolished shopping center on the southeast side, build the cityâs first new housing in two decades and relocate the public works facility away from a residential area on the northwest side.
Here s a closer look at what Jones is proposing:
River Oaks
Like former Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush, an 18-year incumbent whom Jones ousted in the February Democratic primary, Jones is pushing hard for the proposed south suburban casino to be awarded to Calumet City.
Coming Sunday, take a Ride with Justin Dyer, a Specialist with LaPorte Police.
After more than 35 years as an elected official in Calumet City, Markiewicz Qualkinbush will leave city hall for the last time Friday afternoon.
Thaddeus Jones, who defeated Markiewicz Qualkinbush in a hotly contested Democratic primary in February and won the general election against token opposition earlier this month, will be sworn in Saturday afternoon as the city s first black mayor. I work as hard as a I did in 2003. I m still working today, Markiewicz Qualkinbush said Thursday afternoon. I m going to be the (city s) biggest cheerleader.
Born and raised in Calumet City, Markiewicz Qualkinbush began working for the city in 1977. She was promoted to deputy city clerk two years later and was elected to the first of five terms as city clerk in 1985.