Great Job Harlem-Foster Homeowners Association.
Each candidate was allowed time for a presentation, and then answered three (3) questions formulated by the Harlem-Foster Homeowners Association. The three questions asked were in to regards to if the candidate would be a full time alderman, their business/economic plan for the ward, and if they would keep the zoning advisory board intact.
Candidates who attended: John Quinn, Maurita Gavin, Barbara Ateca, Richard Gonzalez, Thomas Patrick Murphey, Mary O'Connor, Brock Merck.
Candidates who were not in attendance: George Banna, James Schamne, Daniel Lapinski, and Jim Mullens.
Attendance: 100+
If you attended the Harlem-Foster Homeowners Association Aldermanic Panel, post your comments here:
Great Forum. Again only Gonzalez and Murphy made any sense. I hope these 2 face each other in a runoff. Our ward needs them
ReplyDeleteTo many candidates, and all saying the same things. One candidate, the youngest one, Murphy, seemed to be the brightest and most qualified. I'm going to vote for him, even though he doesn't appear to have the money the older candidates have. The newspapers are supporting him, so they must see him as alderman material.
ReplyDeleteTonights forum was unique in that we were able to hear what the candidates wanted to communicate to us, rather than having them only answer questions. I learned more about each candidate at this forum than the others. And this forum felt unrushed, relaxed and most of the candidates were prepared and confident.
ReplyDeleteAfter the election, I hope each candidate remains involved in the community at some level...Local School council representative, zoning advisory board member, chamber of commerce member, etc. Lots of talent in the group.
My favorite at this forum was Murphey.
He consistently delivers a professional, qualified, knowledgeable and common sense approach to municipal goverment and the office of alderman.
Forums are just one way to receive info about the candidates. Take a look at their websites and give them a call before the election with your questions. Most importantly, make sure you vote on Tuesday, February 22, 2011.
Personally, I am torn between Gavin and Murphey. I feel that Gavin really knows the nuts and bolts of the job. She knows what the reality of it is and isn't sugar coating anything. I feel that she can get the job done and it will be a seamless transition. Plus, her encyclopedic knowledge of how the city works is very impressive
ReplyDeleteMurphey, on the other hand, is young, energetic and knowledgeable. His experience as a city planner is a clear advantage to his name. He is very well-spoken and seems to have some great plans to tackle the problems.
It will be a last minute decision for me. I feel that none of the other candidates really have that "alderman material."
I wasn't at last nights forum but my experience with dealing with the 41st ward office has been disappointing. I asked their help once and no one got back to me. Gavin may have knowledge but I didn't see it in action over the years. A smooth transition from this kind of service to more of the same? Not for me.
ReplyDeleteGavin would do well if there were an elected position for "assistant to the alderman".
ReplyDeleteWhen I need something done in the city, I call 311 or contact the specific city department myself. We need an alderman for policy changes, legislation, working with city council to make sure the city systems run well, and local development of the area. I haven't gone to the forums, but have been reading up about the candidates, on-line, and will be voting for Murphey.
ReplyDeleteI hope whoever wins moves the ward office to someplace with parking
ReplyDeleteI already voted and it sure wasn't for the same old thing.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't at last nights forum but I do usually attend the HF meetings. The neighbrhood has changed since Doherty took office. Today, there are more families and young people. I think we need new vision and leadership. I haven;t decided yet either, but I am voting for change (and not O'Connor either)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the location of the ward office being in a non-accessible location. I think it is located there purposely.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Gavin took a swipe at that goofy Russ Stewart who writes for the Nadig rag. I'm not voting for one of the lady candidates (I'm voting for Quinn) but I think he wrote a sexist article about the 41st ward race. The race is not about gender, race, age, religion, but rather about some very serious issues. Russ Stewart, go find a real job and Nadig, please hire a professional journalist if you ever want me to buy your paper again.
ReplyDeleteI'm undecided.
ReplyDeleteMy decision is made and its Murphey. I knew nothing about any of the candidates before this election and researched them all. Murphey's got the back ground in urban planning to make changes for the better and he's got a vested interest in the schools due to having young kids. He is also the only candidate who has brought up the environmental impact the that O'Hare expansion has on the ward.
ReplyDeleteLook at the other candidates websites, Murphey as been clear from the beginning wtih his platform. (I'll give Gonzalez credit too, he has been as well) The others, not so much.
And John Quinn, can you stop sending flyers to my house every day. I will not vote for someone who cannot address a crowd without reading verbatim from a piece of paper.
That's it! The 'same ole', 'same ole'. I certainly think we, as a ward, have moved beyond the 'same old politics' of the past so many election cycles. This ward does not reflect nor represent olden day Chicago ward politics(read 'Ward Boss' politics). The kind Russ Stewart makes a living off of in his 'political analysis' columns. He is who he is but he ain't no Mike Royko(so he can stuff the 'ward mom' crap). So, there simply is no room in the 41st for strongarm aldermanic political dealings or newsrag melodrama. With this in mind we cancel out the 'anointed ones'. We can cancel out the 'tough guy' routine. And, we can cancel out the papers having a 'story'. All that said, we need to move onto the 'next' generation. We need to 'turn the page'. Let's start our next chapter with new blood. From my perspective this ward will be better served by going with the young one, Murphy. And, thank you to those responsible for all of our Candidate Forums. This ward has to rank as one of the most intelligent and informed in the city. Also, a scouring of the web shows this is the most well done of the nonpartisan 'Ward Blogs' in the city. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI believe the winners last night were Murphey, Gonzalez & Gavin - in that order. I hope Brock Merck stays involved in local politics after next week. Agree to moving the alderman's office, there is more to the 41st ward than NW Hwy and Edison Park.
ReplyDeleteI’m with you on Murphey and Gavin, but I don’t get Gonzales. I’ve seen him at two forums, and read through his materials. He is the accountant/businessman/cop who will penetrate the 500 page city budget to fix the $650MM deficit (unlike the current council members and administration which in his view do not have the smarts to do so), he’ll do something to unravel the redeployment of police which has already happened, and…what about the day to day in the ward? I get the feeling that he is already on his way to bigger and better things. Am I missing something?
ReplyDeleteI also attended last evenings forum. This race should definitely be between Gonzalez and Murphy. From speaking with Murphy it doesn't seem this kid has enough work experience behind him and that scares me. Gavi has experience but I don't feel she will represent the 41st ward. Gonzalez does not have experience in politics but I like that he is an experienced accountant. Murphy having experience in urban planning scares me cause I know he deals with low income scattered housing. I hope that's not his future plans for this ward!
ReplyDeleteI almost fell off my chair when Brock Merck referred to himself as the "nobody, nobody sent".
ReplyDeleteWhats was O'connors stance on being a "Full Time Alderman" last night?
ReplyDeleteI thought she said early on she would not be Full Time then I got a mailer that said she would be a "Full Time Alderman"
Im guessing its smoke and mirrors
No your are not missing anything.
ReplyDeleteGonzales "IS already on his way to bigger and better things". In his own mind, anyway. Gonzales has his eye on "bigger fish to fry".
Look, being an Alderman in the City of Chicago is a pretty good gig. That is even if you do not have notions of an extended aldermanic career or using it as a springboard to higher office. But if you do you still have, 1.) a good salary package, 2.) no heavy lifting, so then you can 3.) figure out you schtick, 4.) hire a PR outfit and viola! you're on your way to Springfield and maybe even Washington D.C.
So yes he and probably some of the other candidates are, now/or would be, looking through this job to the next. Might take a couple of terms as Alderman but you gotta start somewhere if you're going to make a career out of this routine.
So this brings us back to who most clearly has the ward at heart and not personal/professional gain. There are a lot of business owners running. They can't be counted on to be ward specific 24/7. Too much other stuff needing their attention. So it seems like you/me/we have whittled down the 'likely to win' list to only one. And, that's Murphey.
I've read his stuff on line, seen the family picture (beside the young are the future of this ward if there is to be a future) and attended several forums. The gripe might be that he is young (we were all young once). The gripe might be he is under-financed(who isn't?). So what's left to gripe about with this young man? Nothing! The real concern here is that he might win. I mean a clear cut win. No runoff. I mean, sincerely, who could you pit him against that even comes close. I have not seen as good an example of this kind of a young person come along in years.
I don't know why you would want any of these other candidates to stay involved in the ward in the future. For the most part these tired worn out wannabes represent divisivness and partisianship and have for some years now. And, would not be able to contribute to our quality of life if theirs depended on it.
I'm old and voting for the young. Murphey has excelled throughout this campaign and there is no reason to think he won't as our Alderman.
She said she will continue to own her two businesses, but will promote an employee and also have her long-time partner take over. Thus she will be a "full-time alderman". So she is being transparent about her plans, with no smoke and mirrors. That said, based on my experience with good small business owners (and I believe she is a very good one), they never disengage completely. Even if the involvement is only evening and weekends, those are evening and weekend hours that will not be devoted to aldermanic activities. For me, alderman is not a 9 to 5 job, and so she will be less "full time" than several of the others, who either promised to quit their current jobs (Murphey, Merck [leave or absence], or already work the Ward full time (Gavin).
ReplyDeleteYou can't own a business and not put any time into it. Thus she will be a part-time Alderman.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the insights. So we agree on Gonzales, and on Murphey (he does appear to have a lot to offer). I would not include Gavin with "these tired worn out wannabes represent divisivness and partisianship and have for some years now", and think she warrants consideration. I think she would bring an intense focus on ward-level constituent services, which may be more important to me than someone going to focus on resolving the budget crisis or otherwise revitalizing the city.
ReplyDeleteI disagree with the above. Nothing has come out of that ward office for more than a decade...time to move on.
ReplyDeleteGavin is an assistant. If she truly wanted to be an alderman one day, why didn't she get a Masters Degree in goverment, public policy, public finance, urban planning? No way is she alderman material, we would all regret putting Gavin in office.
ReplyDeleteConstituent services is 311
ReplyDeleteDefinately, Murphey would be someone we could be proud of sending to City Council and to take care of the ward too. I already voted for Murphey.
ReplyDeleteYou learn a lot more working in the alderman's office for 15 years than you do in a classroom for a year or two.
ReplyDeleteWhich candidates served in the Peace Corps or military? I like service oriented candidate that started out giving at a young age. I havn't been able to find out from the Tribune editorial questionaire.
ReplyDeleteI believe Brock Merck is the only candidate who has served in the military.
ReplyDeleteI like the frank comments about the political wannabes in the ward..I too, think they promote divisiveness and partianship.
ReplyDeleteWe don't need that anymore.
The commenter is correct in that we need someone without connections, political and other baggage, untainted and who will genuinely place ward concerns first and foremost on his agenda.
And I agree, that is Murphey.
I think it is interesting how both Gonzalez and Gavin supporters both tie their candidates to Murphey.
ReplyDelete