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EPIC is governed by an Executive Committee consisting of five officers—president, vice president, corresponding secretary, recording secretary and treasurer—and answers to a constituency of more than 600 residents, both property owners and tenants. The block club meets quarterly but calls special sessions when issues so demand.
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President: Robert Solomon, Jr.
Bob Solomon and his family have been living in Edgewater at the same address on Magnolia for 55 years since 1956, making them one of the longest residents of EPIC. In fact his father Bob Sr. is one of the original members and came up with the EPIC name. There are three generations of Solomons residing at the two flat on Magnolia, from Bob's dad, Bob Sr. who is now 91 years old, to Bob's son, Steven, who is 21 years old. Bob Jr. is a graduate of Swift Elementary School and Senn High School. He is the owner of Skyline Productions and VideoCatnip.com, although after 35 years in the video production business (including time spent at CBS WBBM TV and NewsRadio 78), he is semi-retired and now spends much of his time marketing the best selling pet video-dvd ever made ‘Video Catnip’ and promoting his son’s music. Steven (currently a student at the Western Illinois University School of Music) has been playing the piano professionally for 10 years since the age of 11, including performing at many EPIC and neighborhood events and venues. Bob’s wife Mila is an RN at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Mila and Bob have been married for 28 years.
Vice President: Terry Opalek
Terry Opalek moved to the community of Edgewater in the Spring of 1998 with his partner of 21 years, Michael Frontier. As a resident of Edgewater he has grown interested and excited about the vibrant and diverse community they live in. It is here in Edgewater, at their home on Thorndale Avenue, that their very popular and famous Terry’s Toffee was born eight years ago, a special treat at the Academy Awards for the past seven years as well as gifts throughout the world, Terry and Michael take great pride in their business and that it started here in Edgewater. Terry enjoys living in the community as well as sharing in it’s many cultural activities with friends. He also enjoys gardening, biking and travel. He looks forward to serving on the EPIC Executive Committee for the next year.
Recording Secretary: Sarah Bornstein
Sarah Bornstein has lived in Edgewater since 1981 and at her current residence on Thorndale since 1985. A human resources professional and lifelong volunteer, she was named one of "100 Women Making a Difference" by "Today's Chicago Woman" and received the Mercedes Mentor Award in recognition of her service to nonrofit organizations. She now volunteers as a Team Coordinator for Chicago Cares. Her adult son, Kevin O'Reilly, also lives in the Edgewater neighborhood.
But her 22 minutes of fame came as a contestant on JEOPARDY! in 1986. She didn't win but she didn't make a fool of herself either. She is committed to continued diversity and increased safety for the neighborhood.
Corresponding Secretary: Robert Kaplan
Bob Kaplan is originally from Cape Cod. After graduating from Carleton College in Minnesota in 1987, he went to the University of Pennsylvania law school. Bob worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as a senior environmental prosecutor before joining the Environmental Protection Agency in 2002 in Washington, DC. Bob and his wife Kim moved to Chicago in 2007 when Bob became Regional Counsel at USEPA. Kim is the District Counsel for the Army Corp of Engineers. In August 2009, Kim and Bob were blessed with an adorable baby girl, Sarah Sabo Kaplan. Bob has a passion for sailing, fishing, the beach, rehabbing old houses, woodworking and BBQing. Bob and Kim live on Magnolia, at Elmdale.
Treasurer: Michael Frontier
Michael Frontier and his partner, Terry Opalek, have lived in the Edgewater community for the past 13 years. Michael was born and raised in Chicago and previously managed a very popular and busy restaurant. Through his management and organizational skills, Michael led that company to its most profitable years at the time. Today he is co-owner of Terry’s Toffeee, which was founded in Michael and Terry's kitchen eight years ago. Michael is excited to be a part of EPIC's leadership, and trusts that EPIC will continue to make this neighborhood and Edgewater a vital and vibrant community.
Immediate Past President: Michael Bergmann
Michael Bergmann has lived in the Magnolia Glen neighborhood since 2006. Michael is an attorney and the Executive Director of the Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI), which works to cultivate a lifelong commitment to public interest law among law students and lawyers. He is a former member of the Edgewater Community Council's Board of Directors and previously served as a community representative on the Local School Council for Nicholas Senn High School. He is also an active member of the American Bar, Illinois State Bar and Chicago Bar Associations serving on or chairing several bar-related committees.
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