Dear Neighbors,
I wanted to take a moment on this important day to thank all of you who have participated on a regular basis these last several months in the public debate about the leadership in our community. It is this democratic process that is motivated by facts, exposes lies and celebrates the spirit of honesty that ultimately shines the brightest light on what is best about our community.
Ours was one of the households that received Joe Moore’s “pink post card” last week. It was sent to my oldest son, who the Alderman’s supporters must have identified as being a part of a demographic that might be swayed by such a sophomoric strategy. Just as Joe did with me, it seems he has one tactic in his bag of tricks: To try to label lifelong Democrats as Republicans and hope the electorate won’t see through it.
Did the post card strategy remind anyone else of the Nixon campaign and the anti-Muskie leaflets during Democratic primaries? Add that to the strategies of negative labeling (George H.W. Bush), divisive rhetoric (George W. Bush), putting bogus referenda on the ballot meant to motivate supporters (Carl Rove) and creating organizations meant only to smear an opponent (Swift Boat Veterans), and you get an Alderman who says he’s a Democrat, but embraces the worst Republican tactics.
And by the way, what happened to the Barack Obama endorsement? Could it be the Senator changed his mind? Certainly the dozens of mailings that went out with the two of them arm-in-arm leading up to Feb. 27 would have been equally powerful for April 17. It’s most curious.
Two tasks are ahead, however. First, is to make sure the job is finished today and new leadership is ushered into a new Alderman’s office on Morse Avenue. Second will be to bring this neighborhood back together so that we really can be the city’s model for community involvement, open government and progressive action.
All of you will be an important part of making these things happen. Thanks again for caring enough to make a difference.
Chris Adams
31 comments:
GREAT CHRIS-
WE ALL LIKW YOU, HOPE EVEYONE WILL BE WATCHING JOMO TODAY AND HOPE HIS OUTSIDE GOONS STAY OUT OF ROGERS PARK SO THE 49TH CITIZENS CAN ELECT DON GORDON-
Amen, Chris.
Chris,
Beautifully worded letter and thanks for you and your daughter's support today. I am sure she will reel in the voters on the phone.:)
Good seeing you and hope to get to know you better going forward. Despite all the stress and negativity that elections bring, it does give one the chance to meet and get to know their neighbors. That is always a positive thing!!!
Margot
at m
at my polling place this morning, i was in and out. there was NO ONE there. kind of disappointing..
I was pleased to see a group of poll watchers when I went early this morning to vote. They were observing everything closely.
Funny
I just got word that Craig's precinct came in 2 to 1 for Joe Moore. Hey Craig, look in the mirror to see the real loser!
Funny indeed - according to the offical returns of Chicago Board of Elections Don Gordon is leading with over half the precincts counted.
Since Craig is away from his website saving the world from Joe Moore (fat chance), I'll take the lead and give you up to date precinct results: Without even looking at the numbers, I can DEFINITELY say that Hugh is a BIG loser! Talk about a guy holding a grudge. Hugh has had it out for Moore since the Pinewood went out of business. The owner wants to make a profit by selling the property and Hugh's been crying about it ever since. What a loser!
Stay tuned for up to the minute results, until Craig cuts me off.
It's gonna be a squeaker folks. It's Gordon 52 - 48 with 62% of precincts reporting. But the devil is in the details...which precinct remain?
It's narrowing....Gordon 51, Moore 49. It looks like the tide may be turning.
While we await the results proving what we already know... that don gordon is a loser...let's take a moment to reflect on how he set himself up to become the loser he was destined to be. I remember four years ago when Michael Harrington tried to convince 49th Ward voters that he had what it took to be alderman. We know how that turned out. But, apparently, Don decided to repeat the mistakes of the past and latched onto the loser Harrington to run his campaign. A fatal error as we now know, as Don will join Michael on the scrap heap of loserdom. And good riddance to the both of you.
Now, let's take a look at the latest returns....
If you'll permit a moment of reminiscence, let me recall a few names from the past that some of you old timers may remember. See if you can guess what they all have in common. Ready? Grady Humphrey, Karen Hoover, Francis Ignatius Corrigan, and of course, the now infamous Michael Harrington.
What common characteristic do they now share with Don Gordon? I'll let you know in a minute as soon as the final precincts come in.
I've lived in Chicago nearly twenty years but just the last four in Rogers Park - thus, I don't have the history that many of you have.
That said, I've had plenty of opportunities to contact the alderman's office, mostly about concerns regarding public safety (the infamous speed hump, a hazardous property, street flooding), public improvements, and even a garage permit. The service I received from Moore and his office was very consistent. It was always indifferent, incompetent, and best summed up Doctor Suess - STINK, STANK, STUNK.
Even if I could look past the misguided distractions like the foie gras ban and Iraq (because these distractions caused him to neglect the day to day issues he was hired to address) there was no excuse for his campaign's abominable race baiting and fear mongering. That showed he was not only a lousy alderman, but a man of questionable character.
Breaking news from inside sources is bad news for the Gordonites. I'm afraid that the final outcome that we always expected is here... Don is a loser. So are Craig and Hugh and Paradise and Toni and all of the other whiners who wasted so much time trying to create controversey from nothing. So, I salute all of you whining bloggers. And, I look forward to four more years of blather until your next rising star takes Don's place on the scrap heap of loserdom. See you in four years, Hugh.
Ming
Thanks for sharing your concerns about the lack of service received from the Alderman regarding your
"concerns regarding public safety (the infamous speed hump, a hazardous property, street flooding), public improvements, and even a garage permit. "
Do you know how many people work in the alderman's office? The answer is four. Do you know how many police officers are assigned to the the twenty fourth police disrict? almost 700. Why would you presume that the four unarmed members of the aldermanic staff would be better suited to address public safety issues rather than the police? Please explain.
Please clarify about your hazardous property issue. Do you have a problem with the people who live within the property or the real estate itself?
In my opinion, you an others of your ilk have no concept of self reliance and the ability to address your own problems. Instead you try to blame your personal issues on someone else. The obvoious choice would be an alderman. The funny thing is that we would be having this same discussion about Don Gordon's failures four year from now if he had won...which he will not.
Time to make the donuts!!!
Dear Mr. Goonheart:
Since breaking up with Rocco, I'm I'm just getting back into the dating scene. Do I go for the older one with life experience, the ability to make sound judgements and most of the time can be found on the couch asleep before 10p.m.... Or the younger, racier type that's full a pep and energy, but really has no substance.
I loved Don Gordon, but he was tiring and boring and to be perfectly honest, could not keep up with me. Or Joe, the man of my dreams. He may not be a straight shooter, but boy oh boy, the ricochets are worth it. Hoot Hoot.
Don Gordon would waltz, where Joe Moore can twist.
Don Gordon's pizza is all cheese, whereas Joe Moore's packed with pepperoni.
Don Gordon takes antacid before bed. Joe Moore would take one of those little blue pills. (vroom, vroom).
Don Gordon looks like the type who would drive a Buick. Joe Moore something more sporty... Like an Alpha Romeo.
If I could picture Don on the beach, it would be in Michigan. Joe... Cabo San Lucas (Baja baby).
So what's a girl to do? Although, I yen for stability... Life would be so boring if we had to look at Don's sour puss on your blog everyday for the next four years. Consider it a blessing the Joe Moore wins. What else would you have to talk about.
Kiss. Kiss. (o)(-)
Whatsamaddayou
your act is similar to moore, comical! did you see his act on chicago tonight? have you witnessed his campaign antics?
with only 50 votes seperating the two, you talk alot of trash. get a grip or go to bed.
hey toto. joe moore hasn't won yet, but get your ky jelly ready, because moore will definitely won't stick it where you expect!!
Joe Moore in an Alfa Romeo. That's got to be one of the funniest things I've ever read.
If the 60 that he has hold up, that's not exactly a mandate. If he survives 2011, I'll teach you how to spell for free.
Okay, we'll see you in the a.m.. May the best man win.
and I'm reading about the missing ballots in precinct 25 -
Oh Isaac, you're into that grease monkey thingy too. Whooo Whooo. I keep a tube in my purse just in case I need to cut down the squeek on my office chair.
I hope Mr. Goonheart keeps his promise of learning for his errors. Ha Ha. I doubt it. At least we won't have to hear the whiney, preachy crap from people like toni and margot and that other silly dame who's taking forever to rehab her drab little two flat. Who'd want to live in a twof flat anywhy. There's no closet space.
Maybe now that this election is over whe can get Hugh back with his power rants about downzoning and campaign contributions. Here Hugh have some salad. You look like you need some greens. Ooop that's not salad dressing silly.
toto,
why do you care so much about someone elses two flat and how much closet space they have?
Alderman 49th Ward
38 of 42 precincts counted 90.48%
Joe Moore 3,558 50.43%
Don Gordon 3,498 49.57%
Total 7,056
Talk about a nail biter! go don go!
Alderman 49th Ward
41 of 42 precincts counted 97.62%
Joe Moore 3,862 50.91%
Don Gordon 3,724 49.09%
Total 7,586
I"m gonna be sick!
Dear Whatsamadau,
We've never met. I don't know you and can't begin to suggest what makes you tick based on one email exchange. I'd appreciate it if you'd accord me the same courtesy and not jump to conclusions about what may or may not be "my ilk". I am merely sharing my cumulative experience dealing with Alderman Moore's office.
Many of my calls (and my neighbors calls) to the alderman's office were to seek information so we could be "self reliant". Typically, our calls were not returned or even acknowledged. I don't care if your office only has four people - eventually, you return constituent calls, you don't whine. If you aren't up to the task, you should be replaced.
I've lived in other wards which had similar staffing levels and never experienced the indifference that Moore's office displayed.
Many of our calls were for information and guidance, and many of the solutions we were seeking had to be initiated by the Alderman's office. Every call seemed to end up in in a black hole.
The speed hump issue (public safety) is a prime example - we did our homework, did the petition process, etc. The request for a traffic study had to be initiated and shepherded by the Alderman's office. Most of the time involved in that project was spent waiting for the alderman's office to return calls - we'd go MONTHS without the courtesy of call backs. We finally contacted the city office responsible for the traffic study and learned that Moore's office had the study and had done nothing with it. Thats just poor service and unprofessional. If we didn't stay on top of them, they'd never have followed up. Its as simple as that.
But this moribund level of service is never addressed by Joe's advocates - instead, you blame the residents and taxpayers. Somehow, in the twisted world of Joe Moore, the taxpayers are not "self reliant", and in fact are blaming "our problems" on others! Thats absurd.
"My problem" as you call it - in this example - was speeding cars - even speeding police cars - blowing stop signs. There are a lot of toddlers and kids in our neighborhood. I witnessed several hit and runs at this intersection - fortunately, only parked cars and not children were hit. But it was a serious safety concern and remained a risk. Given the speed hump disappeared without notice or explanation, the risk still exists!
And while we were waiting and waiting and waiting for Joe Moore to follow up with us, he was out protecting geese. I hope you can understand our outrage.
Perhaps your personal experience as a constituent has been different - and I'm glad for you. Tell us about your positive experience - don't blame us because we received lousy service.
I can only go on my experience and that of my friends and neighbors in the 49th Ward. Everyone I know - black, white, latino, gay, straight, male, female - has been incredibly unhappy with and disapponted by the work of the Alderman and his office.
Hello everyone,
We'll have complete Hell Hole coverage tomorrow, Give me some time to rest and I'll fill you in manyata.
A nail biter indeed.
toto- I'm really flattered you took the time to read my houseblog and all about my closet space. I think you are secretly jealous and that is just fine by me. I can totally handle it!
Have a great day!!!
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