HomeMy WebLinkAbout077-R-20 Designating Harbert Park as "Harbert Payne Park"9/21/2020
77-R-20
A RESOLUTION
Designating Harbert Park as "Harbert, Payne Park"
WHEREAS, Harbert Park's name currently honors the late Elizabeth
Boynton Harbert, an author and woman's suffrage advocate, founder of the Women's
Club of Evanston; and
WHEREAS, Harbert Park lies along the Northshore Channel on the west,
Dempster Street on the north, Main Street on the South and McDaniel Avenue on the
east; and
WHEREAS, to the east of Harbert Park, is the- western -most community of
the City of Evanston where a majority of the populhtion is Afrida*n-American; and
WHEREAS, Betty J. Payne lived in this comi�id'nity for more than forty (40)
years where she organized and led a neighborhood .&Qtip named Canal Park
Neighbors for thirty-four (34) years, and
WHEREAS, During that time, 'Betty held.` regular meetings for the
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neighbors to address their needs for services, such as-9treet paving, policing, park
renovation and upkeep, and alley paving; and
WHEREAS, Betty J. Payne also mobilized a! fibighborhood watch program
entitled "noise neighbors" adorned with t-shirtsand bann4s'--Ileading them in marches in
the Evanston 4th of July Parade and in the Canal Pa& neighborhood to heighten the
vigilance of the community against crime and disruptive a6tiViti6s; and:!
WHEREAS Betty J. Payne engaged disruptive youth in the community
directly by leading a contingency of neighbors to visit thom'at home and helping them
77-R-20
find constructive paths to their development away from alcohol, drugs and other criminal
activities; and _
WHEREAS As a result of Betty's leadership.ilBetty created a safe, stable
and innovative area for residents; and
WHEREAS, Betty J. Payne. continued her., _ dedication to the City of
Evanston by serving as the Evanston Township's Treasurer, #or two consecutive terms;
and
WHEREAS, Betty's love for animals inspired her to become a generous
supporter of the Humane Society and philanthropist to many notable- causes including
creating and funding the Stanton Payne Westinghouse: Vocational High School
Scholarship Program. This program granted-: college scholarships to many deserving
Westinghouse graduates, affording them the.opportunity t6further their education; and
WHEREAS, Betty J. 'Payne was motivated by a sense'of civic pride and a
desire to empower her community,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, THAT:
SECTION 1: The foregoing recitals are hereby found as fact and
incorporated herein by reference.
SECTION 2: On behalf of the entire citizenry'of the City of Evanston, the
City Council hereby expresses appreciation for Betty J. Payne by designating Harbert
Park as "Harbert Payne Park."
SECTION 3: This Resolution 77-R-20 will be' in full force and effect from
and after the date of its passage and approval in the manner provided by law.
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77-R-20
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Stephen H. Hagerty, Mayor
Attest: Approved as to form:
Devon Reid, City Clerk Kelley A. Gandurski, Corporation Counsel
Adopted: October 12 2020
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