OPPONENTS BACK SAWYER IN SIXTH WARD RUNOFF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kenneth Sawyer (312) 420-6443

OPPONENTS BACK SAWYER IN SIXTH WARD RUNOFF

As Roderick T. Sawyer, candidate for Sixth Ward Alderman, heads into the April 5 runoff election, he has received the endorsement of four former opponents: Brian Sleet; Cassandra Goodrum-Burton; Sekum Walker, and Richard Wooten.

“We have a common goal and that is to help improve the quality of life for 6th Ward residents. Receiving the support of the other candidates in the February election, is one more crucial step in uniting the 6th Ward, and bringing real reform to the Chicago City Council. By improving education, economic development, and access to city services ,we will promote a cleaner, safer, and stronger community."

Campaign test -- 1 week results.

On Monday Feb 7 (Monday after the blizzard), my wife and i began an experiment. We either sent e-mails or left voice messages asking each of the 6 campaigns to send us material to help us determine if we should vote for them. The separate requests either asked for the material to be sent to our home, or to a 60619 P.O. Box.

We received 2 e-mail acknowledgements, and a promise that material would be sent soon. This was from Cassandra Goodrum-Burton and Brian Sleet.

But as of Wednesday afternoon, neither the P.O. Box or our home mailbox had any specific mail form the campaigns. We did receive material, but it looks like it was part of the registered voter database. There didn't seem to be anything specific to us (i.e. it's like no one took the time to make sure we had everything to help us in our decision).

Now, it COULD be a problem with the post office...a Medill School of Journalism (Northwestern University) grad student will be publishing a story on our recent problems with the post office...but after all this time, can just the post office be blamed? Is it true that none of the campaigns actually sent us the material we asked?


In 2007, i had varied responses:

Fredrenna Lyle's office had a packet dropped off at our door within days, which included newspapers articles, brochures, etc. (This was after either a call or e-mail)

Karin Norington Reeves conversed with me via Facebook

When I stopped by Eugene Davis' campaign office, they only had an old newspaper with an article. I left my contact info, and found out that they had signed me up to be a volunteer -- thought at that point, i simply wanted to LEARN more about him as a candidate.

I received no response from Thelma Andrews.

For 2011, I was hoping to get a better response...not a "no response"

GCA Mayoral forum on CAN-TV - *this* WED and FRI morning!

An update to JP Paulus' post I didn't catch it on Monday morning. GCA offered an updated scheduled showing of the forum for 8:30 AM Wednesday on Channel 21 and of course one more on Friday morning at 10 AM on Channel 19. This is for those who are able to recieve CAN-TV on their cable services. If you have satellite you may not have CAN-TV.

Also it appears that GCA will offer a link to the 6th Ward Aldermanic forums to be shared whether on blogs such as this one or on social networking websites such as Facebook. Also from the e-mail...

However, Shawn Bell, the cameraman is offering a link that you can use on your website and Facebook page that connects you to his server.

This will allow folks who do not have Comcast to see the entire forum via your website and Facebook page.

He is charging $20 for the link connection to offset his hosting the entire video on his server.

You can pay him in cash or a money order.

How's that for sharing? I should pay the money, but I would imagine it's just easier to find a website such as YouTube, Blip, or even Vimeo to host the video. I admire the videographer for working with GCA to distribute his work but if he reads this post,  I'm posting my ideas. Hopefully this won't corrupt the footage as the GCA e-mail claims that putting the forum on DVD would.

If you want the information to get into touch with Bell e-mail the blog I can forward that information to you if you're not on the GCA distribution list.

An updated release for the update airings of the Aldermanic forum is here!

GCA 6th Ward Aldermanic forum on CAN-TV Feb 14 and 18

Greater Chatham Alliance just announced the CAN-TV schedule of the 6th Ward Aldermanic debate, held at Kennedy-King College on January 22nd

here is their press release:

Did you miss attending the 6th Ward Aldermanic Forum sponsored by the Greater Chatham Alliance Community Council?

Well, here's your chance to get a closer glimpse at the platforms and perspectives offered by the candidates running for the 6th Ward Alderman seat.

GCA would like to thank again the following community groups for their participation at the forum: Sustainable Englewood Initiatives, Park Manor Neighbors Community Council, Roseland Heights Community Association and the West Chesterfield Community Association.

CAN-TV channels can only be seen on the COMCAST Cable Network

Unfortunately, satellite companies like DISH Network and DIRECT TV don't carry it.

Program Schedule

Monday, February 14, 10 a.m. on Channel 21

Friday, February 18, 10 a.m. on Channel 19

Be sure to tape the show if you are working during those dates.

And please-- email, or call your friends, neighbors and family members who live throughout the ward and alert them to this schedule.

6th Ward communities include: Chatham, Chesterfield, Englewood (a section), Park Manor, Roseland Heights and West Chesterfield.

Remember Early Voting ends: Thursday, February 17

Election Day is: Tuesday, February 22

An informed community is an educated community.

The press release states that CAN-TV can only be seen on Comcast. Can TV should be on other providers such as RCN, WOW and others. (AT & T may not have it).
 
Let us know your perspective.

Tribune endorses Cassandra Goodrum Burton...

Well this link provided endorsements for the first 10 wards of the city council:

6th Ward: All but two of the public schools in this ward are on probation. Foreclosure rates are high. U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush even threatened to move his congressional office elsewhere because of violent crime in the area. The ward needs a leader who is committed to reducing violence, pushing for education reform and bringing jobs and economic development. Ald. Freddrenna M. Lyle hasn't provided that strong leadership. Business groups say she at least listens to them on some issues now, but this ward could do better. This may be a race between Lyle and Roderick Sawyer, son of the late mayor Eugene Sawyer. But the strongest candidate is Cassandra Goodrum Burton, a former assistant state's attorney who specializes in family and juvenile justice issues in private practice. She was head of the local school council for McDade Classical School. She's firmly committed to development. "If you have people not working at all," she told us, "any job is better than none." She wants to work with Chicago State University to turn the college into the ward's economic engine, much like UIC has been for the Near West Side. Goodrum-Burton is endorsed. There are three other candidates.

Mysterious Survey Mokey Survey

Saw this posted by a friend on Facebook.

1. If you were in the election poll, who would you vote for?

• Roderick T. Sawyer
• Freddrenna M. Lyle
• Brian E. Sleet
• Sekum Walker
• Cassandra Goodrum-Burton
• Richard A. Wooten

 *2. What do you think is the most important issue that concerns the 6th ward citizens?

(open text)

*3. What do you think the next 6th ward Alderman should address the most?

• Crime
• Housing
• Economic Development
• Lack of city services
• Education
• All of the above

4. What's wrong with the current 6th Ward Aldernman?

• not assessible
• not visible
• not a coalition builder
• not responsive

 *5. What would be the best way for the 6th Ward Alderman to better serve the people? 

• Be responsive
• Be assessible
• Be visible
• Build Coalitions
• All of the above

*This question requires an answer.

So who published this survey? Why can't we see the results?

One thing that disturbed me was Question 4 -- it's phrased to be anti-incombent, rather than saying "what area needs the most improvement". Some people may feel there's something wrong, however, others may legitimately feel otherwise.  And you can't submit the survey without answering it (and no way to add another option).

6th Ward Aldermanic forum on Saturday, January 22, 2011

For those of you looking for for a chance to see all the aldermanic candidates, and live, mark you calendars

What: Candidate Forum for 6th Ward Alderman Office
When: Saturday, January 22, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Kennedy King College, 740 W. 63rd Street (parking available on street and in lot)

SPECIAL GUEST MODERATOR – WVON 1690 AM radio personality, Cliff Kelly

The 6th Ward communities of Park Manor, West Chesterfield, Chatham Avalon, Greater Grand Crossing, Roseland Heights and Englewood would like all residents of these communities to come out and listen to the platforms of each nominee running for office of the 6th Ward Alderman in the February 22, 2011 election.

Please plan to attend to hear about the candidates’ qualifications, vision and specific plans for leading the ward during these very difficult financial and social times.

All 6th Ward residents are invited to attend.Please invite your family, friends and 6th ward neighbors!

Come out and hear from the candidates, all were invited to participate:

• RODERICK T. SAWYER
• FREDDRENNA M. LYLE
• BRIAN E. SLEET
• SEKUM WALKER
• CASSANDRA GOODRUM-BURTON
• RICHARD A. WOOTEN

Please join us!

It is important to participate in our own community’s future.

For more information, contact: Ava Martin at 773-412-4025 or Avamart22@yahoo.com

The event is organized by Greater Chatham Alliance, with presidents of leading 6th Ward Community Organizations as panelists (such as Park Manor Neighbors Community Council , Chesterfield Community Council , Chatham Avalon Park Community Council).

The style will be similar to the League of Women Voters format for debates.