WICKER PARK—All four incumbents retained their seats for two-year terms on the board of the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce, as four new members were elected in during a spirited election night Wednesday.
Alex Averbach told DNAinfo Chicago that running for the board has been something that she’s wanted to do for at least a few years.
“I’m a small indie retailer on Damen and part of the commercial strip that’s always changing. I want to see everyone work together. Everyone wants our neighborhood to succeed,” she said.
Joining Averbach (who co-owns Tangerine boutique) on the new team are Steven Vargas, from P
ro Mobile Websites, David Stearns, of Bar Bar Black Sheep, and Mike Cho of Wicker Park Tavern and Cafe Absinthe, which hosted the event and provided drinks and appetizers to attendees.
Re-elected incumbents were Melissa Daza Mondero, of Bucktown Wicker Park Dental, Ann Nolan, State Farm Insurance, Ginna Ryan, of Mauge, Inc. and Michele Gomez, co-owner of M.GO Fashion Salon.
10 candidates ran for the eight board spots. There are 12 members of the board and four directors.
Longtime chamber member Mike Pawlicki, of 1st Benefits marketing, surveyed the room of approximately 60 people and said, “It’s nice to see so many new faces. It’s important for people to network and share ideas. The [chamber] office, they really do a fantastic job.”
Note: For a slideshow of many more photos (with captions!) from the event, visit DNAinfo.com/Chicago, launching soon.