Alderman Michele Smith 1/13/2020
, Kenneth Dotson
Whereas, Kenneth Dotson became a member of both the Lincoln Central Association and the Oz Park Advisory Council in 2000-a park he's always lovingly referred to as his backyard-upon moving to Chicago.
Whereas, while Kenneth was already making a name for himself in marketing, he was also making his presence known in the Lincoln Park neighborhood; and,
Whereas, Kenneth has also been a part of: the Lincoln Avenue Master Plan Steering Committee, DePaul Neighborhood Advisory Committee, the Lincoln Common Neighborhood Liaison Committee, and the Lurie Children's Community Relations Committee; and,
Whereas, in 2012, Mayor Emmanuel appointed Kenneth as Commissioner of the Lincoln Avenue SSA, whose efforts contribute to the maintenance and beautification of the Lincoln Central Neighborhood, and it's continued economic development; and,
Whereas, Kenneth didn't just serve one single term, he served for 3 terms, alongside his time joining the LCA board; and,
Whereas, in 2015, Kenneth was elected as our beloved President of LCA, bringing with him a deep-rooted appreciation and dedication forthe neighborhood, and a vision to keep pushing LCA forward: on what it could achieve and aspire to do; and,
Whereas, in 2016, in his second year of his presidency, he was honored as the Inaugural Lincoln Park Neighborhood Champion for being a resident within Lincoln Park that had made a positive impact through his actions within the community; and,
Whereas, even with the award-winning newsletter Kenneth co-edits, Kenneth still remains humble when using the word T, always preferring to focus on the whole rather than the individual; and,
Whereas, it makes sense that this newsletter is titled 'From.the Heart'because Kenneth truly is--as he has coined-the heart of the neighborhood; and,
Whereas, while Kenneth hasn't always been successful in kickstarting some trends-i.e wearing sandals year-round in Chicago-his most valued contribution has always remained true to course: pushing the neighborhood forward in new and exciting ways.
Whereas, Kenneth Dotson will be missed in his leadership role in LCA, but we all know this won't be the last time we'll be seeing Kenneth around the neighborhood; and,
Whereas, we'll always be able to spot him wearing his colorful, limited edition Robert Graham shirts and cracking a joke while walking through Lincoln Park; a place he's helped grow, and a family he will forever be a part of.
BE IT RESOLVED, That Alderman Michele Smith, and we, The City Council ofthe City of Chicago, proclaim this Resolution in honor of Kenneth Dotson, who has given his whole heart to the neighborhood of Lincoln Park.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That suitable copies ofthis resolution are presented to Kenneth Dotson and his family members as a sign of our respect and gratitude.
Alderman Michele Smith