Saturday, February 28, 2015

Mayor Emanuel on Chicago Tonight


[VIDEO] On Thursday, Mayor Rahm Emanuel appeared on Chicago Tonight to discuss being in a mayoral runoff. Especially as noted this is the first mayor runoff since the city started with non-partisan mayoral elections in 1999.

Friday, February 27, 2015

5 Loaves restaurant has electrical box stolen

5 Loaves Eatery, located at 405 E 75th St, Chicago IL 60619, just reported that their electrical box has been stolen (along with Harold's Chicken), and business

Here's what they posted on Facebook:

Attention 5 Loaves family, we are sorry to inform you that our electrical housing was stolen overnight. This is the second time this has happened.


I pity these neighborhood terrorist that perform crimes on people and businesses, that are trying to make a living and provide for their families, by taking instead of working for what they want.


We are asking for your prayers for not only our business; but also Harolds that is next door to us.


It took over two and a half months ,last time this happened to reopen. We are praying that God allows us to come back stronger and better.


God bless

We wish them the best, and will keep you informed on how to help. Their website is http://www.5loaveschicago.com/ and their phone number is 773.891.2889

we will keep you updated on any progress.
On a personal note (from JP): I am sorry I haven't had the opportunity to visit yet. I do not want to see any further businesses close, especially nice sit-down restaurants.  we need these businesses to thrive if we want to see a positive tunraround.

brian garner's concession speech

Here is 6th ward Aldermanic candidate Brian Garner's concession speech, found on Facebook.
BrianGarner6thMy Healing The Ward Speech


First I'd like to thank God because through God not some things but all things are possible.

I'd like to thank my lovely wife Dana who from the beginning believed in me and said baby the kids and I are with you and when you have your mate say that they believe in you and your kids say they are proud of you there's no greater feeling so I have already won. So Thank You!


I want to thank my Mother who's had some health challenges lately and I want to thank my (3) three loving sister’s Cheryl, Theresa and Maria they all have been with me every step of the way in this campaign thank you and I love you.


To my mother-in-law Wanda because if it wasn't for her introducing me to her Beautiful intelligent and bossy daughter Oops did I say that I’m sorry I digress!!!

All kidding aside, God only knows where my life would be right now. Thank you Wanda and I Love you.

I would like to thank all of my family the Garners, Norris, Toles, Wright’s and Jackson Families, thank you, thank you, thank you and I love you guys.


I would like to thank the world’s best and hardest-working campaign staff ever.

To My sister-in-law Kellye who was my office manager and logistics and ground support director, Kellye we could not have done this without you I love you, I love you, I love you. Thank you


To Isaiah who handled his Street Team like a conductor directing a symphony I want to thank you man and your team.


To Marie who handled our Face book and Twitter our graphics sometimes office support she was a true "go to girl" in this campaign who unselfishly just did whatever you asked. Thank you.


To Latonia, my treasurer who kept me on the straight and narrow on the finances! Thank you.

To Charlotte who handles our research getting in and doing whatever you asked of her. Dana and I have said we've got to figure out a way to claim her on our taxes she spent so much time at our house. Thank You Charlotte!


To Q Lacey, who had me looking good out there on the campaign trail from my ties to my socks and to Rhonda and her husband Clayton this couple they are some praying people and I don't know what I would've done without their support and their prayers thank you


To my guys the Garner Safety foot and bicycle patrol! I can't say enough about these men putting themselves on the line to protect the 6th Ward residents and me. Some days it got a little hairy out there. These guys were right there patrolling the neighborhood's patrolling the bus stops and train stops just being strong African-American man believing in a cause!

Andre, DeBo and Ernest and I want to thank you.


My biggest thank you goes to the 6th Ward residents from the coffee sips to the beautification neighborhood makeovers to movie night and Bingo with the seniors to the festivals to the meetings to speaking to congregations at the churches throughout the 6th Ward and to the the knocking on doors!

I just want to say thank you for receiving me and listening to my platform and my message.

Education, Jobs, and Safety!

I will continue to fight for this!


I want to thank every person who lived in the ward or who didn't live in the ward who provided support for this campaign from monetary, volunteering, phone banking, babysitting to making late night food runs!

Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart


If I have forgotten anyone because everyone has played a part in this campaign please blame it on my head and do not blame it on my heart because I am appreciative to everyone who helped in this campaign I just want to say thank you.


Thank you


Brian Garner

‪#‎TogetherWeCan‬

‪#‎GARNER4WARD6‬

Thursday, February 26, 2015

There should be an elected school board

http://www.cpsboe.org/
It took me a while to come to this conclusion but I've finally decided that there should be an elected school board in Chicago. Not saying that this is the best solution for our schools in Chicago, but it's an idea that should be considered.

The only caveat that I've considered is that there must be a hybrid board where the people can elect members and the mayor can appoint members. This has always been my thought however the Chicago Sun-Times solidified this much further in an editorial.

This Tribune editorial makes further points about the various points of school boards whether hybrid, elected or totally appointed. To be sure, I have little problem with the Mayor of Chicago having some form of direct influence on the Chicago Public Schools. This is one reason I support a hybrid board.

I also believe that the most important interest group - the parents need representation to influence the decisions of the Chicago Public Schools. I propose that a majority of the members can be elected to the board of which there are currently seven members. Therefore four members should be elected and three should be appointed. In addition those four elected should be from districts divided up at least four ways throughout the city. The mayor can appoint the people he wants on the school board with their expertise and the people can elect who they want on the board of ed.

Furthermore I recognize how at time public education can be very politicized. Unfortunately the public schools have borne a lot of negative press over the years and this may cause more politicization. I hope that future members of the board of ed can recognize that the most important thing they have to do is ensure that the youth of the city of Chicago are educated and ready for the world.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Mayoral results by Ward (6,8,9,17,21)

Here are the mayoral results according to the wards we generally cover.

The mayor had about 43-42% of our communities' vote (slightly lower than the citywide average). Jesus Garcia and Willie Wilson were very close between 22-27%), with Dock Walls and especially Bob Fioretti (who had an office on 79th street near Calumet) doing relatively poorly.  The full results, from which the following are from, are located at http://www.chicagoelections.com/en/wdlevel3.asp?elec_code=10

Ward
Votes Cast
RAHM EMANUEL
%
WILLIE WILSON
%
ROBERT W. FIORETTI
%
JESUS ''CHUY'' GARCIA
%
WILLIAM WALLS, III
%












6
10225
4341
42.45%
2399
23.46%
476
4.66%
2347
22.95%
662
6.47%












8
13198
5718
43.32%
2896
21.94%
546
4.14%
3181
24.10%
857
6.49%
9
11586
5001
43.16%
2775
23.95%
500
4.32%
2561
22.10%
749
6.46%












8570
3425
39.96%
2272
26.51%
318
3.71%
2057
24.00%
498
5.81%












12621
5330
42.23%
3087
24.46%
496
3.93%
2815
22.30%
893
7.08%



We may try to post a breakdown by precinct (as available from The Chicago Board of Elections website) in the near future, so see which precincts favored which candidates.

What was the talk of your neighborhood?

Election results - and a few thoughts/questions

Here are the results, as of , with at least 96% of precincts reporting in . Those in a runoff are in bold. Winners are bold and underlined.


Alderman 6th Ward
46 out of 48 precincts (95.83 %)

RODERICK T. SAWYER5,54155.99 %
RICHARD A. WOOTEN2,60526.32 %
BRIAN T. GARNER1,75017.68 %


Alderman 9th Ward
50 out of 51 precincts (98.04 %)

ANTHONY A. BEALE7,10862.55 %
MICHAEL E. LAFARGUE1,79315.78 %
HAROLD ''NOONIE'' WARD1,15910.20 %
THEODORE ''TED'' WILLIAMS1,30411.47 %

Alderman 21st Ward
52 out of 54 precincts (96.30 %)

MARVIN MCNEIL1,74714.10 %
JEFFREY BAKER6815.50 %
HOWARD B. BROOKINS, JR.5,16141.67 %
JOSEPH C. ZIEGLER, JR.1,2349.96 %
DORIS LEWIS BROOKS1,45011.71 %
PATRICIA A. FOSTER1,27310.28 %
KEN LEWIS8406.78 %

And for a few wards neighboring our main focus:

Alderman 17th Ward
41 out of 41 precincts (100.00 %)

GLENDA FRANKLIN3,00036.14 %
DAVID H. MOORE4,41353.17 %
JAMES E. DUKES88710.69 %
Moore narrowly lost a runoff last election.


Alderman 8th Ward
55 out of 56 precincts (98.21 %)

MICHELLE A. HARRIS8,86668.63 %
FAHEEM SHABAZZ2,04315.82 %
TARA F. BALDRIDGE2,00915.55 %
Michelle Harris is the incumbent.

------

And the Mayor's race:
Ward
Votes Cast
RAHM EMANUEL
%
WILLIE WILSON
%
ROBERT W. FIORETTI
%
JESUS ''CHUY'' GARCIA
%
WILLIAM WALLS, III
%

Total
458824
208176
45.37%
48582
10.59%
33907
7.39%
155485
33.89%
12674
2.76%

Question: will McNeil get support from the Chicago Teachers Union and/or work with Garcia's campaign?




=======

Any surprises for you, the reader? Your thoughts and analysis?

In a separate post, we'll break down some votes by ward (at least for Mayor).   Details are now up (as of 11:35pm) at http://www.chicagoelections.com/en/wdlevel3.asp?elec_code=10

Polls open today

Today the people of Chicago will elect not only their Aldermen, but also a mayor, clerk and treasurer. In addition in 37 wards there is a referendum on whether or not Chicago should have an elected school board.

Many of you probably early voted already and for those of us who haven't then find your local polling place here. Polls are open from 6 AM to 7 PM today. If you have no idea who's on the ballot before you hit the ballot box go here again, input your information and look for a sample ballot tab.

Or you can call the Chicago Board of Elections at 312.269.7900

I want to also refer to the Sixth Ward's 2015 page for candidates running for Alderman in wards 6, 9 and 21. Hopefully I will be able to post election results here for these candidates.

Please vote today and have a direct effect on the future of our communities for the next four years.

Monday, February 23, 2015

Ted Williams III interviewed on #Aldertrack

[VIDEO] So if I read the e-mail correctly, this is the last of the Aldertrack interviews with candidates for Alderman in 2015. And current series ended with Ted Williams running in the 9th ward.

Alas Mike Foucher never interviewed any of the many candidates - including the incumbent in the 21st ward. He had interviewed Michael LaFargue & Noonie Ward previously in the 9th. Also Ald. Roderick Sawyer and Richard Wooten in the 6th.

Well I hope you have watched those interviews and will make an informed choice in tomorrow's election. Anything said by Professor Williams would sway your vote for alderman?

If you haven't watched the GCA 6th ward forum...

[VIDEO] If you haven't had a chance to, you should watch the GCA 6th ward candidate's forum held last month (JP posted on Thursday). I've only gone through at least 15 to 20 minutes of the video and some good answers to very good questions by the candidates.

They talked about the remap which altered the look of the 6th ward after the 2010 census. Most of the candidates seems to be willing to move forward with those new areas that were added to the 6th. It was mentioned the neighborhoods that were lost in the remap (such as West Chesterfield, Roseland Heights) in addition to the institutions such as Chicago State University.

All the same, the bottom line is now that it seems the city is moving forward with the remap the new areas which especially includes a greater area of Englewood how does the new and older areas of the 6th ward progress until it's time for the next remap after the 2020 census.

They talked about Black owned businesses as well. What can we do to get a greater share of Black owned businesses in the 6th ward. In addition to that what types of businesses are we looking for.

So while we mentioned the businesses along 75th Street one of the few areas in Chicago - if not the whole county -  with a significant presences of Black owned businesses there are other thoroughfares such as 79th street to utilize as well. Also Wooten made a good point about restaurants we've already lost a few longtime restaurants in the ward and those could be valuable businesses in the future.

And the next point about eateries is that they're the next front in the whole food desert debates. Yeah a lot of focus had been on grocery stores in our community but one way to provide healthy foods in our communities is providing a food establishment that serves them. Who says the only options are fast food or chicken places?

Another good point duing the course of this debate is over what to do with our closed schools. Do we turn them into community centers, senior housing, trade schools or otherwise retain their educational functions? Personally we should turn our closed schools into at least community centers that would involve education functions such as job training or even allowing adults to get their GEDs.

And I'm sure there's more than that to consider in that almost one and a half hour video of the GCA forum.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Mayor Emanuel mailer

Over the weekend you may have gotten this in additon to several mailers from Rahm Emanuel's campaign. This is of most interest because of Emanuel's role in the shutdown of CTA's Dan Ryan branch of the Red Line in 2013. You may have also seen a TV ad about this highlighting how he made sure minority contractors worked on the rebuilding of that branch.

Unfortunately these are the only mailers I have received from any of the candidates for mayor and there is a decent number of challengers to Mayor Emanuel this year. Including perennial candidate Dock Walls, Willie Wilson, Bob Fioretti, and Chuy Garcia. I also wanted to note this article from the Reader about the mayor never leveling with the public on his decision to close mental health clinics around the city.

Finally here's that red line ad from the mayor's campaign actually I never realized he did two of them. This is the one I found on YouTube [VIDEO]
So has anything said my any mayoral candidates including the current Mayor that could sway your vote on Tuesday?

Saturday, February 21, 2015

End of Campaign Mailers for Alderman Roderick Sawyer

Back to Back mailers came from Alderman Roderick Sawyer this week.













Pro Wooten Door Hanger

As we enter the final days of the campaign season, candidates are doing whatever t takes to get out their message. The following pro Wooten door hanger was found today. The door hanger is from Chicago 2015 and mentions their slate of endorsed candidates.



9th ward mailers #Aldertrack

As we head toward the municipal election this coming on February 24, 2015 we present two mailers for Ald. Anthony Beale and his opponent Ted Williams.

Friday, February 20, 2015

6th Ward Aldermanic Race: Endorsement Roundup Updated

There is a debate on whether endorsements mean anything. Some claim endorsements don't mean votes and some believe that the only endorsements that count are those where the organization commits money and/or manpower.Here is a roundup of the endorsements

Note: Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on ballot:

Roderick Sawyer- Incumbent

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun Times

Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Federation of Labor(AFL-CIO, AFSCME Local 31)

SEIU Healthcare

United Working Families (Chicago Teachers Union, SEIU* Healthcare, Action Now and Grassroots Illinois Action)

                                                                        Democracy For America
                                                                   
                                                                        IVI-IPO

                                                                        Reclaim Chicago

                                                                        Chicago Police Sargent Association 
                                                                     
                                                                        Chicago Defender

                                                                        IBEW Local 134



                           Richard Wooten

                           Chicago 2015

                           FOP Lodge #7

                           Soul Slate

                           Democratic Women













  Brian Garner

                                                                                      No Endorsements


If there are more, please let us know. What's your opinion

Audio from race for 6th ward alderman

 
[AUDIO] Recently we received two e-mails from the Wooten campaign for 6th ward alderman above is an ad that you may have heard on the radio. The other is an article from DNA Info which featured students being honored by Richard Wooten's Gathering Point Community Council.

Where rahm's PAC money is - and is NOT - going to for Aldermanic Races


Yesterday, DNA info published a piece that says where Mayor Rahm Emanuel's Chicago Forward PAC put their money.

In the 6th ward, NO ONE is getting money. While Ald. Sawyer is part of the Progressive coalition that opposes the Mayor in certain issues (as opposed to another "progressive" coalition that some may deem as fiscally conservative/pro-North side), none of his opponents (Rich Wooten and Brian Garner) seem to be backed by Rahm Emanuel, which seems somewhat unusual, give our ward's track record of  voting (i.e. the last election was determined by just 2 votes per precinct).

Howard Brookins of the 21st received the 5th most form the Chicgao Forward PAC, with $43,266 so far. Anthony Beale of the 9th ranked #14 with $26,776  so far.

It would be interesting to see where each ward stands with polling as far as mayor is concerned, and if that will affect the vote for alderman.

No disrespect...

I posted two posts that received comments that were likened to spam attacking this blog because of a column and video shared here. The attacks seem quite petty as we were attacked for the assertions of that column and we were also attacked because we made the "mistake" of not stating exactly that a candidate was running in the 2015 election.

Although let's be clear we had acknowledged this candidate running for alderman during the petition phase and after that had concluded. All I - as the writer of both posts - attempted to state that this individual had ran previously four years ago.

So anyway, we'll be publishing later - as we're really close to election day for the municipal elections - the information that this campaign had sent to the blog. Because of the activity in the comment section of those posts, I had been real willing to drag my feet on sharing this information.

Since this is the final weekend before the election, we're posting this info later today. While this information will be shared it was important air the reservations I had in doing so.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Greater Chatham Alliance 6th Ward Aldermanic Forum is online


Chatham from Narvelle Media on Vimeo.

From Greater Chatham Alliance, regarding the forum they hosted on January 31:
Hello, Greater Chatham Alliance Members,Chatham and other 6th Ward Neighbors:

If you are still undecided about your votefor our 6th Ward Alderman, GCA is proud
to present an on-line video viewing, for 5 days,to present an on-line video viewing, for 5 days,of our Aldermanic forum held on Saturday,January 31st at Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church.

We had hoped to have it also featuredon CAN-TV, but we may not make theirschedule.

In any case, click on the link below toview our Aldermanic forum:

https://vimeo.com/119695699

From The Sixth Ward blogger JP Paulus: I attended this forum, and thought, like the 2011 one, was well done. Forum moderator (and WVON Radio host) Cliff Kelley stated that he felt that out of the many forums he has hosted and attended, he felt Greater Chatham Alliance was one of the best.

If you haven't decided, I think this forum will be one major tool to help you to decide.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Hinz: Is your ward headed for an aldermanic runoff?

Greg Hinz at Crain's notes that the 21st ward isn't certain to have a run-off: "the 21st, where incumbent Howard Brookins has been trailing but lately has shown signs of reviving".

Of course as we've been following this election while Ald. Brookins has a number of challengers, no one seems to have broken out of the pack so to speak. And the elections for city offices is next Tuesday, time will tell.

Are there any surprises Hinz should know about as far as potential run-offs?

Friday, February 13, 2015

LaFargue mail #Aldertrack

I had been starting to wonder when we'd see some LaFargue mailers from the 9th ward. We got an e-mail with the mailer below with the message that we'll start seeing them this week. Anything said in this piece that could sway your vote?

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Ald. Beale mailer #4 #Aldertrack

This mailer attempts to show that Ald. Beale supports reform of the red light camera program. From especially Harold "Noonie" Ward, the Alderman has been hit on the red light cameras during the course of this campaign. Is anything said by Ald. Beale could cause anyone to sway their vote?

Wooten Mailer

Today a mailer for Richard Wooten was delivered to my door. 







Hmmm, does the outsider statement refer to this walk piece


What do you think?


Candidate's forum video on demand


The candidate's forum from this past Saturday at Simeon High School. We're going to look at the candidates for wards 6, 9, and 21. These videos are at least an hour long and were uploaded to CAN-TV's YouTube account.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Alderman Sawyer's New Mailer

Alderman Roderick Sawyer has a new mailer. This one includes his endorsements from PAC's, unions and state and county politicians


#mbmhmc: The "Six-Trey" Englewood


[VIDEO] In this week's episode Jahmal Cole visits Englewood. There is one mention of neighborhoods and the idea that most in that neighborhood are unlikely to spend money in the coming Whole Foods Market at 63rd/Halsted. Also the knowledge that most will continue to shop at the neighborhood convenience stores.

Also a discussion about who owns the stores in the neighborhood and how they get over on those in the community. If you read Cole's writeup, he spoke to one young man who is paid only $25 for a full day's work moving furniture.

He did pay a visit to Englewood Votes candidate's forum that was held last weekend. We see a pic of him with 20th ward Alderman Willie Cochran who Cole says got the best of his competition. We also look at Kusanya Cafe as well.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Ald. Beale mailer part 3 #Aldertrack

Slightly different mailer for Ald. Anthony Beale that the other two already posted. He highlights his support for various projects in the 9th ward such as the reconstruction of the CTA 95th terminal, city colleges' logistics hub, the Walmart and shopping center in Pullman, Method factory, and more affordable housing. Of course he highlights bringing to his ward new jobs with higher wages and fighting to raise the minimum wage.

 Anything said in the flyer below sway your vote?

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Alderman Sawyer Mailer #3

This mailer was sent from the SEIU Local PAC.


6th Ward Aldermanic Race: Endorsement Roundup

There is a debate on whether endorsements mean anything. Some claim endorsements don't mean votes and some believe that the only endorsements that count are those where the organization commits money and/or manpower.Here is a roundup of the endorsements

Note: Candidates are listed in the order they will appear on ballot:

Roderick Sawyer- Incumbent

Chicago Tribune

Chicago Sun Times

Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Federation of Labor(AFL-CIO, AFSCME Local 31)

SEIU Healthcare

United Working Families (Chicago Teachers Union, SEIU* Healthcare, Action Now and Grassroots Illinois Action)

                                                                        Democracy For America
                                                                     
                                                                        IVI-IPO

                                                                        Reclaim Chicago

                                                                        Chicago Police Sargent Association 



                           Richard Wooten

                           Chicago 2015

                           FOP Lodge #7












  Brian Garner

                                                                                      No Endorsements


If there are more, please let us know. What's your opinion