I am availab;e to help organize against TIFs, mega-projects, and other assorted civic bullies!
I assisted Francis Parker Neighbors fight the powerful and wealthy Francis Parker School when they were bullied. Here is what they said afterwards…
We are writing to offer the highest praise and recommendation for the services of Tom Tresser. We worked with Tom earlier this year in a difficult and sensitive matter which he handled with great skill. The end result was a huge success for which he deserves a major share of the credit.
In January, our neighbor, the Francis Parker School announced plans to install artificial turf and stadium lights on its playing field. Because the field is surrounded by residential buildings and across the street from one of the city’s loveliest public parks, the outcome would have been an enormous loss for the neighborhood and for the city as well. At the outset, it appeared that Parker – well funded and with substantial political support already lined up – would get what it wanted with little trouble. We formed a citizens’ group but were running up against the limits of our ingenuity. Then we hired Tom Tresser. Tom is confident, smart and experienced. He knows how to organize people, how to reach and persuade decision makers and how to make the most of media coverage Whether the issue was delicate strategy or street action, he knew what to do and how to do it.
Perhaps equally importantly, Tom turned us from a disparate group of neighbors into a functional organization. Tom is a genuine believer in the power of people and his conviction is both inspirational and energizing. As an attorney for thirty years in Washington D.C., Tom Silfen was involved with major clients and cases. Deborah Cohen, who is the president of our group, is a professor at Northwestern University. But Tom Tresser brought to the table skills and judgment that were way outside our collective experience. We are enormously grateful for the work he did for us and recommend him highly to you.
Want to know more about what Tax Increment Financing districts are all about and how they hurt or communities? We can do a workshop to get you Illuminated!
Tom has been invited to present at over 230 forums and spaces across Chicagoland since 2013! I’ve delivered dozens of open enrollment workshops and my online presentations have been viewed over 290,000 times. Wow – MUST be doing something right…
Are TIFs threatening your community or state? Bring me to you to help you organize a response! The Cincinnati Federation of Teachers did in December of 2019 to great impact.
