This morning on my way to the Common Cup, I noticed the new tree next to the one I phototgraphed a couple of day's ago has the early stage markings of death written all over it. This must've happened overnight, I didn't see this damage yesterday. Six large knife hacks to the base of the tree - and another near attempt to rip off and totally shredded up branch.
I could just scream. This is war.
I'm declaring Soo Liquors needs to be closed as soon as possible. This is ground zero for the 1400 block of west Morse Avenue troubles. A couple of years ago, a few members of CAPS 2431 tried to close Soo, where we filled out these fancy legal looking forms and had them officially notarized. But Kevin O'Neil dropped the ball and didn't get them to the Liquor Commission in a timely fashion.
Joe Moore could do something about this, but he hasn't got the stones to stand up to a guy who gives him campaign contributions and hangs his political signs during election season. Plus, these are Joe's people.
So, if Joe won't do anything about Soo Liquors, the citizens and voters can take action by voting the entire precinct dry. I'm going to start a petition drive to get the ball rolling. With a February and November election coming up in 2008, if Joe hasn't taken action on this matter, the 403 registered citizen voters of the 31st precinct/49th ward will. The balls in your court Joe.
27 comments:
Upon taking a independent poll a few months ago, so far, the results are overwhelming.
Yes, I want Morse Ave. voted DRY. - 78% - 159 votes.
No, Keep Morse Ave. AS IS. - 22% - 45 votes.
View results and vote here.
Not such a great idea. That will also vote dry the Haartland and Redline tap.
Well then, if that's the collateral damage that has to occur, so be it.
Really now RPIdiot, I knew that going into this.
The key wording on the petition will be packaged goods. Unless Michael and Katy are selling in that method, they should be fine and that should keep them from getting their panties in a bunch.
Even if the Heartland were collateral damage, it should incentivize them to pressure Joe to handle Soo individually. After all don't the Heartland owners also donate large sums to Joe?
Hell Yes! This would be the best thing for this community at this point. Alcohol and drug sales are clearly the problem. Get the shit out of here!
Granville was taken 'dry' without bothering Gino's North, which is safe and sound.
The 'dry' move applies only to packaged goods, so it should not trouble the Red Line Tap (as though I cared about that dive) or the new jazz venue Andy McGhee is opening up.
It's time to get rid of Soo Liquors. They deserve to get their license pulled 20X as much as those 2 places on Granville. The Top Hat will go as part of redevelopment, so we don't have to worry about that hole, except when will that development begin?
Why does Soo Liquors need to go? Why not the Morse Liquor Store? Why not the booze section at Dominick's, or the Food and Liquor place on Sheridan near Pratt?
I'm not trying to be incendiary, I was just wondering what it is about Soo in particular that makes it so bad. I go there occasionally to pick up a six-pack or cheap wine; it's cheap (I can't afford bars), and I don't need to own a car just to get a few beers.
Isn't it a little elitist to try to limit alcohol consumption to the people who can afford to drink at the Heartland? Sure, they probably won't get drunk and go mug someone or vandalize trees, but the majority of Soo Liquor patrons don't do that either.
Graig: You said "Kevin O'Neal dropped the ball"
That little weasel can't even catch the ball.Your correct kevin works for joey, kevin does what joey tells him!!! I'm sure there are people who work for joey that know who killed the trees!
haha-
Speaking of the Top Hat, as I was going through that gang tutorial Craig posted I thought I recognized it as a gang sign. Was I mistaken?
girlthatcould: i agree with you--i don't have a car and don't want to be forced into going to a chain store to get my wine and beer.
and i don't see how making these stores dry will solve anything. the problem people will just relocate, if not within the neighborhood, then to someone else's. and how does that help?
There’s never been a question about Soo Liquors and the management’s perpetual unwillingness to act like a good neighbor. Street people are well served by the store’s policy and brisk business in single cans of beer and quickie booze bottles meant for immediate consumption. The place is also infamous for being a refuge for gang bangers seeking shelter to get warm in the winter and to cool off during the summer heat. The bad guys also use the store to duck out of sight of passing police patrols – it is not unusual to see them inside counting fat wads of cash or organizing their baggies of “product.”
However, I'm truly stumped as to why the Top Hat bar, a few doors east on Morse Avenue, gets thrown in with Soo Liquors when there's talk about liquor license holders that hurt rather than contribute to our neighborhood's quality of life.
When the developer’s plan for the Top Hat site came up last year, our Police Commander Bruce Rottner confirmed that the bar has no record of trouble with the police. Regular patrons know that the bar’s management 1) has on-site security, 2) provides no safe haven for gangbangers, and 3) enforces a 25-years or older requirement by always asking for a picture ID.
Rather than causing trouble, the bar’s racially integrated, but mostly Black, middle-age patrons are peaceful and uninvolved in the corrosive street action outside. As a local business on Morse Avenue The Top Hat stands in sharp contrast to Soo Liquors.
I know that raising this point about the Top Hat is moot now since it is slated for demolition. However, it seems to me that someone needs to set the record straight about the social value the Top Hat has had to a large segment of our community for so many years.
Soo & Han Inc.
doing business as
Soo Liquors
1420 W. Morse
Chicago, IL 60626
to Citizens for Joe Moore
$1,000.00 on 3/3/2003
$500.00 on 2/12/2001
$500.00 on 12/31/2001
$500.00 on 3/9/2000
$500.00 on 11/17/1999
to Democratic Party of the 49th Ward
$300.00 10/4/2004
$3300.00 since 1999
Illinois State Board of Elections Campaign Disclosure Search Engine
hugh, have there been any contributions since 2003? 4 yrs is a long time....
Id back a petition, so long as it doesnt impact Morseland, Heartland and Red Line tap.
But looking at Craig's earlier posts it's well known he dislikes the owners of these establishments... so is the petitions purpose to close Soo liquors, or really to get these places also?
Mark, like I said, this is packaged liquor sales only. Soo Liquors is the one and only target here.
Craig,
You are a brilliant social engineer. Close Soo liquors, and Morse Ave will be paradise overnight.
My understanding is that precicnts can't single out one business in these attempts to go dry, which means all liquor has to go, including the bars and other liquor stores. Anyway, It's some individuals who are creating the problems that anger you, but not the vast majority who would be affected by such a campaign. You don't even know what happened to the trees. It could of been Westgard and now he's snickering while he watches you do his bidding, maybe even planned so you'd go close the liquor store. Look, you've got several young women telling you they like to go to the neighborhood store to save money, because they don't drive and I'll add one more reason, the bars are crawling with guys that constantly want to pick you up. I hate the fucking Red Line and Duke's. Probably Westgard wants to lure these young ladies into the Red Line , you ever think of that? You know, it will affect the grocery and other shops, because people want the whole deal, food and beer will go to a CHAIN that has both and you will have LESS foot traffic on Morse. Why should all have to suffer because of a few? Your anger is misplaced and ultimately destructive to the neighborhood.
well, Craig, you've got their attention, so already the dry vote idea has worked better than begging & pleading & focus groups & drug busts & murders & circle prayers as far as getting attention for Morse Ave
go for it
Democratic Party of the 49th Ward? Hmmm, looks like we've got a new blog contributor! Are you the same club that pushed lies to us 49th Ward voters about County Board Pres. John Stroger's stroke in order to promote his election in the February '06 Primary race with Forrest Claypool? Are you the same small social group that went on to sing the praises of Todd Stroger and nepotism in order to boost his election in the November '06 General Election?
Well, thanks a lot, for absolutely nothing!
You know very well that Craig's attack - heck it's OUR community's attack - on Soo Liquors makes no claims of "social engineering." Actually, it's more like sanitation engineering - work cleaning out the trash in our community.
Yes, a petition will give the Alderman's office some leverage to lean on Soo and say the neighbors want you OUT. A petition is a great start. I think we should get on online petition going- I am going to look into this.
Ever think if we get rid of Soos we could get a better lquor store? Maybe one like the new one at Clark sout of Pratt? I couldn't buy a bottle of wine at Soos if it fell ad hit me on the hea- they sell crap.
Sounds like thet sell some pretty good crap at that new store....Jocelyn? give a sip...Jocelyn?...rummage, rummage.
I didn't realize I made so many typos in that last one-whoops. Vanessa- you are such a card.
I would agree with paradise, though I have not researched the subject fully. Voting an area dry does not just affect package stores only. In wich case such a resolution may: A.) May well affect good establishments on Morse, Glenwood and the like and B) May be a hurdle for establishments we would prefer to see opening.
I intend to do some research on the matter. Until then I am undecided.
whoopsie daisy...
Free the trees... Take us back to the forest. We're stuck in a cement holes, dying for water. We're stranded in a metal grate. Take us back to the lush green forest where we can spread our branches to the world.
Free the trees... we're tired of having dogs raise their legs and pee on us. We are tired of being stabbed and branches ripped away.
Free the trees... dig us up and move us back. Otherwise, we aren't much better than the kindling you start fires with.
I've studied thousand of years of war: tree against man, man against tree, who know which started first. I do know man wins most of the time. Thats why these trees need to attend CAPs meetings and let there limps be heard.
Post a Comment