Furman Sizemore is an Evanston family man.
As a candidate for Fifth Ward alderman, Sizemore’s main concern is protecting the family atmosphere of his childhood stomping grounds.
"This is a family-based neighborhood and I believe people want it to stay that way," Sizemore said. "Bringing in money and bringing in business, all of that is good, but for the most part we want this to remain a family-based neighborhood."
Sizemore, 44, is a fourth-generation Evanstonian and attended Northwestern for his post-doctorate studies. He retired and returned to the Fifth Ward after teaching college-level molecular genetics in Arkansas and Michigan.
Sizemore now strives to represent his beloved community — the most heavily contested ward, with four other candidates vying to replace Ald. Joseph Kent (5th), who announced he would not be seeking re-election. Delores Holmes, Patricia Brown, Charlie Sheridan and Betty Ester also are running for the seat.
To keep families in the Fifth Ward, Sizemore vows to address several property issues.
After living in the ward for the majority of his life, Sizemore said he has observed inequities in Evanston’s housing practices that trouble him.
The Fifth Ward receives city inspections more frequently than some of the more affluent wards in Evanston, Sizemore said. He has been pushing the Evanston City Council to explain or resolve this practice. He promises, if elected, to address that issue in depth.
"There are double standards," Sizemore said. "I intend to question this and make a big deal about it."
Sizemore said he wants to protect the family character of the ward. The trend of developers buying buildings at low prices to rent to "people who have no respect for the property" poses dangers to the neighborhood, he said. Sizemore said he also wants to clean up the Fifth Ward’s drug and crime problems.
Although he dislikes developers who are driving down property prices with unfavorable tenants, Sizemore said he also wants to combat inflating prices. Developers often renovate cheap buildings and rent the new units at higher prices that driving away families, he said. High property taxes have also hurt families with average incomes families, Sizemore said.
Judi Smith, Sizemore’s neighbor, said he is in touch with residents of all ages. This summer when there was a graffiti incident in the area, Sizemore talked to children in the neighborhood, found the perpetrator and settled the incident without calling police, she said. Smith also said Sizemore’s leadership would help senior citizens in the community.
"It’s admirable the way he took care of (his) father, mother and now grandfather, and really stood by them when they were sick," Smith said. "He handled everything."
If elected Sizemore will bring a fresh perspective to the council.
"I bring that youthful zeal to the campaign and position," he said. "Given my age and my resume, it shows that I would be in it for the long haul."
Enthusiasm to make changes will help Sizemore be elected, said his sister Kymara Chase.
"That’s what he likes to do — solve problems," Chase said.
Reach Kendra Marr at [email protected].
