A blog for people who live in the 41st Ward, Chicago, Illinois. The 41st Ward includes Oriole Park, Norwood Park, Edison Park, Wildwood, Edgebrook, Big Oaks and O'Hare communities.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Communication in the 41st Ward
Smoke Signals from the 41st Ward
Anyone have any thoughts or ideas about communication in the 41st Ward?
This is Richard Gonzalez, candidate for alderman in the 41st Ward.
I thought I would use this opportunity to highlight some of the ideas I have for making the aldermanic office more accessible.
Per the last comment, Alderman Doherty does not have a website in place that can act as a portal for how residents may get information about city services.
This is his website- http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/alderman/ward41/index.html
Ward Website- The first thing we need is a functional website for residents that is easy to navigate.
It should be updated regularly and avoid anything that resembles political campaigning. Too many alderman use their taxpayer funded websites for political purposes and it needs to stop. I would establish a completely separate website dedicated to campaigning and self promotion.
This site should have public statements, voting record, important links, etc..
Video- I would also like to videotape important meetings/forums and post them on YouTube. This is very easy to do and it wouldn't cost the residents a penny. These videos would give residents an opportunity to stay informed from the comfort of their own home.
Text Message Alerts- Alderman Joe Moreno- a supporter of mine- has had great success with text message alerts. Residents would voluntarily provide their phone numbers so that my office could alert you about emergencies, road closings, street cleanings, etc... I have no problem stealing a good idea and this is one of them.
Satellite Offices- My staff and I would designate a select number of days a month for weekend satellite offices. I would hold these at grocery stores, festivals, etc.. Constituents would be able to ask a question, fill out a request, etc.. With all the trappings of the modern world (daycare, work, baseball practice) it's impossible to expect people to stop by the office. This way they could ask a question at a time that is convenient for them.
Emails/Newsletters- My office would also send out regular email blasts/newsletters about important issues affecting the ward.
Taken together, these simple steps would represent a huge step in the right direction-especially since correspondence from the aldermanic office is virtually non-existent.
Per a previous post about Transportation....
This issue is very important to me. As a police officer, I have personally witnessed all the tragedy that can occur as a result of reckless driving.
Our proximity to the airport/highways make the 41st Ward especially vulnerable to outside commuters. They treat our streets like drag strips and put the lives of our residents in jeopardy.
I would immediately hold a meeting with the 16th district and ask them to put a plan in place for aggressively targeting these drivers i.e. speeding tickets, ignoring stop signs, DUIs, etc..
I would like the 41st Ward to develop a reputation for no-nonsense when it comes to dangerous drivers. They are a guest in our communities and they should treat our residents with the respect we all deserve.
I would obviously welcome suggestions from residents about problem areas and do everything within the power of my office to address them in a timely manner.
The timing of traffic signals, cameras, etc. must also be reevaluated.
I apologize for the length of this post- just eager to get my message across. This blog is definitely part of my daily briefing and I want to thank the administrators for doing such a fantastic job.
Keep up the good work and I hope to earn your support this February 22.
I know you don’t print anything even mildly favorable about Mary O'Connor, but I got an e-mail from her yesterday morning about the storm. It had links and important info for residents of the 41st ward. So once again, while other candidates and their supporters talk an impressive game, Mary O'Connor just gets things done.
I got an e-mail from Mary O'Connor yesterday morning about the storm. It had links and important info for residents of the 41st ward. So once again, while other candidates and their supporters talk an impressive game, Mary O'Connor just gets things done.
How lame are you "Richard"? Soliciting via the electorate blog NOT the elected or wannabe elected blog. As for the O'Connor 'saved me from myself' bit of tripe..........give it a rest. Nothing sicker than a couple of pandering Democrats in a Conservative ward. Both of you...take a hike.
I believe it would be somewhat difficult for other candidates to send out such an e-mail considering they do not have a list of e-mail addresses of residents of the 41st ward like O'Connor may have access to...
Every candidate offered to shovel snow. At least 3 had plows with their campaign signs posted on the side. They are all on good behavior, cut the Murphy nonsense already.
"I got an e-mail from Mary O'Connor yesterday morning about the storm. It had links and important info for residents of the 41st ward. So once again, while other candidates and their supporters talk an impressive game, Mary O'Connor just gets things done."
Exactly what was she communicating the fact that a blizzard happened in Chicago. Captain Obvious
How can you make a generalization like that? How on earth do you know what other candidates were doing during the storm?
There are better ways to make the case for someone you are supporting without embarrassing yourself or the campaign you work for.
For example, you could have said..
"I'm a supporter of Mary O'Connor and I was pleased that she made an effort to alert residents about the storm and what to do in the event of an emergency."
I like seeing a concrete plan for improving access to the alderman's office. For me, traveling to stores and events around the ward is particularly important due to the size of the ward. Good job with the specifics Richard Gonzalez.
Mr Gonzales, That is the reason that we can not vote for a police officer. We dont need more speeding tickets, red light tickets and other assorted money sucking revenue for the bloated city budget. Thats what Daley has been doing to us for the last 20 years. We dont need to pay the city more. We need to pay the govenment less. Gavin , Oconner, Lipinski, Gonzales and Murphey are all part of the Daley organization. Please dont vote for these candidates for the 41st ward.
Though I don't agree with reference to certain candidates being part of the "Daley" organization, I do think there is some concern in the ward about having an alderman who is a police officer, and turning the ward into a police state.
While most of us appreciate the attention to public safety, we do have other issues and services that need to be delivered.
From 2/2/2011 Chicago Press, Nadig Newspapers:
ReplyDelete45th Ward Aldermanic forum response -
All seven candidates said “yes”
when asked if they would to post
their City Council votes on their
Web site
I can't find a 41st Ward website. Is there one?
ReplyDeleteHi all,
ReplyDeleteThis is Richard Gonzalez, candidate for alderman in the 41st Ward.
I thought I would use this opportunity to highlight some of the ideas I have for making the aldermanic office more accessible.
Per the last comment, Alderman Doherty does not have a website in place that can act as a portal for how residents may get information about city services.
This is his website- http://www.chicityclerk.com/citycouncil/alderman/ward41/index.html
Ward Website- The first thing we need is a functional website for residents that is easy to navigate.
It should be updated regularly and avoid anything that resembles political campaigning. Too many alderman use their taxpayer funded websites for political purposes and it needs to stop. I would establish a completely separate website dedicated to campaigning and self promotion.
This site should have public statements, voting record, important links, etc..
Video- I would also like to videotape important meetings/forums and post them on YouTube. This is very easy to do and it wouldn't cost the residents a penny. These videos would give residents an opportunity to stay informed from the comfort of their own home.
Text Message Alerts- Alderman Joe Moreno- a supporter of mine- has had great success with text message alerts. Residents would voluntarily provide their phone numbers so that my office could alert you about emergencies, road closings, street cleanings, etc... I have no problem stealing a good idea and this is one of them.
Satellite Offices- My staff and I would designate a select number of days a month for weekend satellite offices. I would hold these at grocery stores, festivals, etc.. Constituents would be able to ask a question, fill out a request, etc.. With all the trappings of the modern world (daycare, work, baseball practice) it's impossible to expect people to stop by the office. This way they could ask a question at a time that is convenient for them.
Emails/Newsletters- My office would also send out regular email blasts/newsletters about important issues affecting the ward.
Taken together, these simple steps would represent a huge step in the right direction-especially since correspondence from the aldermanic office is virtually non-existent.
Per a previous post about Transportation....
This issue is very important to me. As a police officer, I have personally witnessed all the tragedy that can occur as a result of reckless driving.
Our proximity to the airport/highways make the 41st Ward especially vulnerable to outside commuters. They treat our streets like drag strips and put the lives of our residents in jeopardy.
I would immediately hold a meeting with the 16th district and ask them to put a plan in place for aggressively targeting these drivers i.e. speeding tickets, ignoring stop signs, DUIs, etc..
I would like the 41st Ward to develop a reputation for no-nonsense when it comes to dangerous drivers. They are a guest in our communities and they should treat our residents with the respect we all deserve.
I would obviously welcome suggestions from residents about problem areas and do everything within the power of my office to address them in a timely manner.
The timing of traffic signals, cameras, etc. must also be reevaluated.
I apologize for the length of this post- just eager to get my message across. This blog is definitely part of my daily briefing and I want to thank the administrators for doing such a fantastic job.
Keep up the good work and I hope to earn your support this February 22.
Ricahrd
I know you don’t print anything even mildly favorable about Mary O'Connor, but I got an e-mail from her yesterday morning about the storm. It had links and important info for residents of the 41st ward. So once again, while other candidates and their supporters talk an impressive game, Mary O'Connor just gets things done.
ReplyDeleteI got an e-mail from Mary O'Connor yesterday morning about the storm. It had links and important info for residents of the 41st ward. So once again, while other candidates and their supporters talk an impressive game, Mary O'Connor just gets things done.
ReplyDeleteHow lame are you "Richard"? Soliciting via the electorate blog NOT the elected or wannabe elected blog. As for the O'Connor 'saved me from myself' bit of tripe..........give it a rest. Nothing sicker than a couple of pandering Democrats in a Conservative ward. Both of you...take a hike.
ReplyDeleteI believe it would be somewhat difficult for other candidates to send out such an e-mail considering they do not have a list of e-mail addresses of residents of the 41st ward like O'Connor may have access to...
ReplyDeleteIt's about character. Both of the two just keep asking for money on their fancy websites.
ReplyDeleteI can not find a website for Mary O'Connor, Ward Committeeman. I don't think the Ward Committeeman has a website either.
ReplyDeleteMurphy sent out a facebook message offering to shovel snow for anyone in need. He posted his phone number and said to call him.
ReplyDeleteEvery candidate offered to shovel snow. At least 3 had plows with their campaign signs posted on the side. They are all on good behavior, cut the Murphy nonsense already.
ReplyDelete"I got an e-mail from Mary O'Connor yesterday morning about the storm. It had links and important info for residents of the 41st ward. So once again, while other candidates and their supporters talk an impressive game, Mary O'Connor just gets things done."
ReplyDeleteExactly what was she communicating the fact that a blizzard happened in Chicago. Captain Obvious
ATTN O'Connor Supporter
ReplyDeleteHow can you make a generalization like that? How on earth do you know what other candidates were doing during the storm?
There are better ways to make the case for someone you are supporting without embarrassing yourself or the campaign you work for.
For example, you could have said..
"I'm a supporter of Mary O'Connor and I was pleased that she made an effort to alert residents about the storm and what to do in the event of an emergency."
What you did just seems in bad taste.
I like seeing a concrete plan for improving access to the alderman's office. For me, traveling to stores and events around the ward is particularly important due to the size of the ward. Good job with the specifics Richard Gonzalez.
ReplyDeleteMr Gonzales, That is the reason that we can not vote for a police officer. We dont need more speeding tickets, red light tickets and other assorted money sucking revenue for the bloated city budget. Thats what Daley has been doing to us for the last 20 years. We dont need to pay the city more. We need to pay the govenment less. Gavin , Oconner, Lipinski, Gonzales and Murphey are all part of the Daley organization. Please dont vote for these candidates for the 41st ward.
ReplyDeleteThough I don't agree with reference to certain candidates being part of the "Daley" organization, I do think there is some concern in the ward about having an alderman who is a police officer, and turning the ward into a police state.
ReplyDeleteWhile most of us appreciate the attention to public safety, we do have other issues and services that need to be delivered.