The Irish-American Catholic schools grads, just six months apart in age, work just around the corner from each other near Devon and Northwest Hwy. in Chicago’s leafy northwest corner.
Mary O’Connor runs O’Connor’s Market and Catering and the Blackthorn Manor banquet facility. She has run the Edison Park Chamber of Commerce and the Edison Park Turkey Trot.
For the last 15 years, Maurita Gavin has been a top administrative aide to Ald. Brian Doherty — the go-to person in his office for getting things done in the ward.
These success-story, girls-from-the-neighborhood might be the kind you’d expect to see sharing laughs over a cup of tea at Le Flour Bakery across from the Edison Park Metra station. Gavin even held her mother’s birthday party at O’Connor’s banquet hall a few years ago.
But the two — who face off in the 41st runoff next week — aren’t exchanging pleasantries anymore, particularly as the field of candidates narrowed from 11 to two.
O’Connor is the Democratic committeeman for the ward. Doherty has been the council’s lone Republican for 20 years, and Gavin could continue in that vein.
Appearing recently on WTTW-Channel 11’s “Chicago Tonight,’’ Gavin said she was qualified to be alderman because “I have a lot of integrity and character and recently information has surfaced in the race that my opponent was illegally registered to vote at her place of business and did so several times.”
What’s wrong with O’Connor voting from the banquet hall she owns?
“My understanding is it is illegal to register at your place of business,” Gavin said later. “I don’t think her business is zoned for her to be able to vote there.”
But the board of elections records no “non-voting’’ zones in the city.
O’Connor admits she did vote five times from her business when she was “in transition” between houses from 2004 to 2007.
Gavin fires back: “That’s a long time to be ‘in transition.’ ’’
O’Connor says she has the business experience that Gavin lacks. She supports a city inspector general with power to investigate aldermen.
Gavin said she is more familiar than O’Connor with the ward’s needs, and believes an inspector general that could probe aldermen would give the mayor too much power.
They do agree on some issues, however: both say they will fight any plan to redeploy police from this low-crime area to higher-crime neighborhoods.
And of the 14 runoffs, theirs is the only one between two women — guaranteeing the 41st Ward will get its first female alderman no matter who prevails.
Gavin is endorsed by Republican officials and takes conservative stands on social issues that generally don’t come before the City Council. O’Connor is endorsed by Democratic officials and is more liberal on social issues.
Click on the link below for the full version
Ex-Chamber of Commerce head, long-time aldermanic aide face off in 41st ward - Chicago Sun-Times
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteIt's unpleasant to hear this stuff, especially about people we know in the community. But people need to know. Problematic voter registration - O'Connor herself admitted at Edgebrook Forum that it was a "mistake". Statement that the Ward gave back $700,000 back to the city -- O'Connor herself admitted at Res Senior home that it was a "mistake". And I haven't forgotten the Sun Times article a few months back about the campaign contribution from a corrupt trucker banned from doing business with the city -- she told the Sun Times it was a "mistake". Ugly as it is, voters need to hear this and decide if it forms a pattern. Character counts. See original comment that was posted here on March 23, 2011 7:04 AM
My understanding is it is illegal to register at your place of business,” Gavin said later. “I don’t think her business is zoned for her to be able to vote there.”
ReplyDeleteBut it’s not illegal; the board of elections records no “non-voting’’ zones in the city
Gavin has nothing else but made up accusations - she answered the phone for 15 years.
Received a Gavin mailer today with this nonsense all over it. I looked front and back and nothing on it about budget/finance reform, TIF reform, improved communication, transparency or any of the things that really matter to me Waste of time
ReplyDeleteThe no non vote zone is irrelevant. That is so people who do not have homes can vote. O'Connor did not live/ reside at her business and under penalty of perjury subject to fines and imprisonment she stated she did. Worse, she voted from that address five times. If she lived at her business (which by her own admission she did not) she would have been in violation of the zoning ordinance but not voting laws. By not living at her business and stating she did she commited voter fraud.
ReplyDeleteTo 9:35, the sad thing is, neither candidate has given any substantive answers regarding budget/finance reform and TIF reform--the two more pressing citywide issues.
ReplyDeleteDoherty and Gavin have been trying to distract voters with this allegation for weeks because they "got nothing". At least O'Connor has tried to talk about the issues. Gavin just talks about her self and slams everyone who isn't with her.
ReplyDelete"If you're not with me, your're against me".
A person who determines herself to have integrity and character doesn't impress me.
Abdon Pallasch is my all-time favorite political writer - he picks up on all the subtlies in politics as well as the major events. I really like that he used neighborhood landmarks in the story - it is as though he lives here and can imagine how things should really be. And when it comes to this race and relationships, he is correct in his thoughts about where the candidates might be if they weren't in this race- drinking tea, for sure. And if we, the voters were smart, we would make sure they were drinking tea, and not in an important city council race, trying to represent us.
ReplyDeleteSee how ugly & petty politics can get, when amateurs get involved. A true professional keeps their head above the embarassing behavior we have seen here.
I'm disappointed by both candidates, as there as been little offered by either candidate in terms of what really matters. Little has been written about these two by reporters because, lets face it - nothing here but the stuff everyone dreads and can live without.
The race has been about yard signs, absolutely ridiculous campaign literature, and superficial forums (I went to two - one before the first race and one a few weeks ago) that revealed nothing about how either of the candidates would handle the serious business of municipal government.
The choice fot the voter is: which of these two is worse than the other and try not to vote for the total bust out, just the partial bust out, hoping that whoever wins will be replaced in four years.
Back in Ireland, their families' country of origin, difficult, but important political processes have happened, recently, to save the country. The working/middle class gave their politicians a "haircut" and voted them out. Smart voters demanding a change in the political guard. Politics there is a very serious game. These two would have been laughed out of any race in Ireland for this type of petty backbiting and mudslinging. Voters in Ireland demand professional campaigning loaded with substance.
These two Irish women are a disgrace to their kin and to us. But the voter let this happen. An informed, educated voter would have looked at these two and voted for one of the independents in the first race.
What should have been done, if voters were smart, was to give both the reigning party politicans their walking papers (Gavin/Republican and O'Connor/Democrat) and give one of the independents a go - we couldn't have done any worse, than the choices we have on April 5, 2011.
I dont give a rats ass where O'Connor voted as long as she lived in the ward. How will Gavin deal with a multibillion dollar city budget if she lets herself get distracted by this crap. She wont deal with it (the bidget) - beleive me, city hall will make sure she has nothing to do with anything. She will be kept out of any & all important decisions, O'Connor too.
ReplyDeleteI can see it now, the Sun-times metro reporters all sitting in a weekly meeting fighting amongst each other as to who has to cover this mindless race. Abdon obviously lost the fight, pulled the short straw or pissed off the metro editor to have to write about this loser race.
ReplyDeleteGavin says she has "integrity and character", but doesn't want the City of Chicago Inspector General having the authority over alderman? HUH???
ReplyDeletePeople with genuine integrity and character are not adverse to investigations of any kind - they can only help maintain a high level of integrity and character and would be welcome.
To 8:44 A.M. The problem with the inspector general in Chicago is he is under the authority of the Mayor. No legislator in their right mind would give the Mayor power to investigate the legislative branch. The Congress does not, the state legislature does not and the coucil should not. Can you imagine Rham with that power over the council members?
ReplyDeleteTo 8:10 A.M: O'Connor ownes no property in the ward. It makes me wonder if for those three and a half years she was voting out of her business, did she live in the ward? She changed her residence to a rented house right before she ran for committeewoman. Sounds like she knew exactly what she was doing.
ReplyDeleteThe City of Chicago Inspector General's Office is set up to be an independent body.
ReplyDeleteALso, alderman are to continue to go unchecked by anyone - how many alderman have gone to prison in the last decade? I think it is 23 or so? Don't you think having someone watching the alderman protects the voters - who are suppose to count - NOT THE POLITICIAN
Since 1972, 29 current and former Chicago alderman have been sentenced to jail.
ReplyDeleteYes, the Inspector General is independent and needs to have the authority to investigate alderman - they aren't choirboys.
The Inspector General is not independent. He is appointed and paid for by the executive (ie Mayor). Rham can put whoever he wants in there. The only agency in this town that touches the poiticians is the U.S Attorney. I bet every one of those 29 was prosecuted by the feds. The States attorney and attorney general never do. Why? Because they are all part of the same corrupt machine. Keep dreaming with your inspector general.
ReplyDeleteGavin and O'Connor have both just dropped out of the race - citing even they know they are no choice for alderman in the 41st ward. Both said they were visited by extra-terrestrials in a dream last night.
ReplyDeleteGonzalez and Murphy - you're up
-april fools-
I, too, am a voter who doesn't care if O'Connor votes out of cardboard box, as log as the box is in the ward boundries.
ReplyDeleteI still don't get why this address thing is a big deal. I have lived all over the country and in many cities, you register to vote on the day of the vote. So, your residency depends on where you claim you are living that day. You have to bring proof of address from the last 30 days in New York City. Addresses ar eto verify that you live in the ward, city, county and state you say you are voting in. In OConnors case, she lived and worked in the same ward.
ReplyDeleteSo what is the big deal, except the opponent has nothing else and isn't made of much.
While I agree with the comments calling this race disappointing, I think O'Connor does have some experience in management and is better connected to the people in the ward. Gavin answered the phones and never really gave me an answer to anything when I called- in fact, she acts annoyed at being bothered. Also, Gavin said she has been around for 15 years - I never once saw her in the ward or at meetings. I have seen OConner at meetings.
ReplyDeleteIf you permit one person to register to vote using their work address, you must permit everyone to do so. It's called 'legal precedent'. The registration form itself states: "address where you LIVE".
ReplyDeleteFirst, would any of you readers ever think to fill out any of your other legal documents so erroneously: your passport, your will, your drivers license, your home deed, your apartment lease, your childrens birth certificates?
Second, would you residents of 41st Ward want 10,000 employees of O'Hare airport to be able to vote here because they work here?
It's nice to say that O'Connor really does live her, that it's just a matter of convenience to use a business address for voting. But, if you permit it for one voter, you absolutely must permit it in every other situation.
Recieved a mailer that Mary O'connor hasn't been paying property taxes. Any one have some comment on that? Any truth to that?
ReplyDeleteI got one mailer a few days ago blaming Gavin for the pot holes in the ward. Its Gavin running NOT Doherty folks! If O'Connor wins that mailer will be thrown in her face for the next 4 years. When she realises how hard it is to get a pot hole crew out on the streets. Its not all grips and grins like she thinks it will be.
I, Joe voter want the Inspector General to have full authority to investigate the alderman. Tapayer money and interest is what counts - not politicians - they all need GPS, cameras and recording equipment embedded under their skin to assure any level of honesty.
ReplyDeleteSo Gavin is afraid of the Inspector General investigating her? Again its about her, and not protecting the voter/taxpayer interest.
ReplyDeleteGavin has stated at forums that she is against an Inspector General through the Mayor's office having the ability to investigate aldermanic offices. She said she would be in favor of one through the legislative branch though. Its about checks and balances. The executive can't investigate the legislative branch on any level of government.
ReplyDeleteAn honest politician would say about the Inspector General "Bring him on - I got nothing to hide"...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteyeah, the less of two evils. That is our choice
ReplyDeleteGavin's allegations about O'Connor turned out to be a bust - nothing there. No surprise.
ReplyDeleteGavin rolled the dice on that. My experience with human nature has taught me that most people can see past an indescretion, an error, etc...especially if the person in question admits it.
What is much harder to ride out is being a tattletale and the person looking to rat someone out. High road people know its just a matter of time for others to slip up on their own - best to ignore the small stuff and stick to the issues.
I don't see this address thing as an issue. OConnors home and business are both in the Ward. Who cares? Splitting hairs means not much else to grouse about.
ReplyDeleteWhere you live makes a huge difference. We could stack elections in any location if we could register to vote at any old location we choose. Get real.. That being said, Gavin's taken money from some eye raising entities, thus she cannot be impartial. We all should not vote and let the hacks decide for themselves. Both candidates are our loss, but thats the way it goes. Not worries the city and pension palns will soon be insolvent. Nothing can be done. It must crah in order for us to rebuild in a respoinsible way.
ReplyDeleteMaurita,
ReplyDelete1. Don't send me intimidating comments telling me what to post, not to post and/or your sense of what is fair. You opened this can of worms. I did not.
2. This is a citizens blog, not the Gavin campaign website.
3. I don't mind posting comments you send, but you need to keep it civil.
David Hoffman set up the Inspector General's office and Ferguson took it over last year. I think Ferguson is doing a heroic job weeding out the waste, corruption and other issues that pertain to ethics and the city.
ReplyDeleteFerguson needs the full support of the mayor and the aldermen. He doesn't need a bunch of cry baby alderman who don't read his reports, don't act on his recommendations and don't follow through with his suggestions. These aldermen need to "man-up" and put the interest of the city and the residents of the city, first and foremost.
Gavin is a good example of all that is wrong with politicians refusing to be investigated BY ANY AND ALL INVESTIGATING POWERS - thats right, at the municipal, county, state and fed level. If you don't want to do that - don't run for office.
29 former city of chicago alderman have gone to prison in the last 40 years? Are you kiddin me? And these current alderman and candidates don't want to give the IG investigative power? Gimme a break.
ReplyDeleteI guess we are suppose to continue to rely on investigative reporters to investigate aldermen/mayor illegal activities - don't get me wrong. I think the investigative reporters in chicago are great, but should they be responsible for investigating the alderman and then the feds respond? No wonder the city is a mess.
Rahm better address ethics, right away
For the record:
ReplyDeleteI have repeatedly stated throughout this blog, that I do not support either candidate.
Moderator 7:20 A.M: And O'Connor stated she was sick for the last forum. Stating it don't make it true!
ReplyDeleteA number of readers have asked me to post blog stats.
ReplyDeleteFor the this week: Number of pageviews
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I get a kick out of these people who are asking for an inpector general under the control of the executive branch of government ivestigating the legislative branch which we have at NO level of government. The reason: It would be inherently abusive. Yet all these people crying about ethics don't care that O'Connor signed UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY SUBJECT TO FINES AND IMPRISONMENT that she lived where she never lived. And voted 5 times from an address she did not live at. O'Connor changed her registration to a rented home right before she ran for office the first time. She does not own a home in the ward. Why are people assuming she lived in the ward for those 3 1/2 years. Sounds like a case for a Prosecutor or Inspector General.
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of people in the ward who are not supporting either candidate - and that is their right.
ReplyDeleteJust because you say you're not supporting someone, doesn't mean you are against them. It most likely means you want to stay out, have no interest or don't care.
So we need a separate legislative municipal branch to investigate the aldermen? And then who investigates the separate legislative branch?
ReplyDeleteIf you don't have anything to hide, the city's IG should be able to investigate everyone receiving tax payer money for any services, including public office services.
not every race appeals to every person.
ReplyDeleteThe Inspector should start with O'Connor. First the fact that she went in an got a fake drivers liscence which she would need to register to vote at her place of business. Next that she went and registered at a place that she did not live at. Last she lied to the public about it. ("I was busy at the deli", "It was a mistake", "I didn't know I couldn't do it", "I only voted there once" - 5 times to be exact) It's sad that we are so used to people doing these types of things that it seems like no big deal. People say who cares? Well, it's as easy to tell a big lie as it is a small one. The people of the 41st ward know that O'Connor is capable of lying to get what she wants. It's up to them to decide if that is okay. If they elect her, they can't complain later since she has already proven to be dishonest.
ReplyDelete10:22 - such detail, are you stalking O'Connor?
ReplyDeleteCheck out Gavin's Facebook page. She's asking her facebook friends why her campaign is so negative. HUH???
ReplyDeleteMy next door neighbor just told me that Gavin is anti-renter and holding it against O'Connor that she rents a house. What gives? I have lived in a rented apartment for 18 years on NW Highway and always considered myself a resident of the ward.
ReplyDeleteVery Wrong 12:51
ReplyDeleteReread the post.
Gavin posed the question why has THE campaign become negative?
The negativity STARTED with SEIU-funded robocalls by O'Connor which LIED about Gavin's answers to the newspaper questionnaires. The negativity continued with O'Connor's LIES that $700,000 was returned to the city. Gavin's response has been to tell the TRUTH about the opponent.
Read it again, 12:51. You are wrong.
Hey 12:17: Why don't you address the issues posed by the commenter at 10:22. Why do you respond with a threat, like a bully, that anyone is stalking O'Connor.
ReplyDeleteApparently you can't defend O'Connor's indefensibly behavior, so you post offensive comments in reply.
We have heard O'Connor's apologies on the tv's programs - "Chicago Tonight" and "Politics Tonight". We have read them in the Sun Times. We have further heard her apologies in person at the forums - well, the ones she chose to attend: Edgebrook community Association, Wildwood School, Norwood Crossing.
There is no stalking involved, it is all public record. There is such DETAIL, as you note, because the record of O'Connor's lapses and lies is so abundant. Sincerely, Dee Jones
Hello 1:03pm
ReplyDeleteGavin is NOT anti-renter. It is absolutely wrong to say that.
Renters are certainly residents of the ward.
The fact is, when someone rents, rather than owning, they don't see first-hand how property taxes have increased so dramatically (40% in some cases) in the past years. Renters don't personally receive property tax bills to compare with from last year. Homeowners do personally feel the "economic pain" immediately. It is a fact.
To 12:51, she is not asking why it has become so negative...thats just the title of the note she wrote. If you read the note, instead of just the title, you would see her explanation of how it has become negative.
ReplyDeleteAnd to 1:03, I do not know where your neighbor gets his/her info from, but that is not true. Why would Gavin be anti-renter?
Maybe the inspector general should investigate outgoing Alderman Doherty. Who for years drove around in a car, his wife got for her 40 th birthday that was licensed & registered in Wisconsin. Parked on Chicago streets. The outgoing alderman ripped off the city & state for years. As far as I have heard CPD personal cars have to have current city stickers on their cars if they park in police lots or get suspend. Yet the alderman of the 41st ward did not register his car in Chicago, wow!
ReplyDelete12:17 I am just an intelligent person. The truth is right there. You don't have to stalk O'Connor you just have to be able to read. What is wrong for one is wrong for all of us. I believe this election is important, so I am well informed. I have issues with both canidates. I am simply saying that we as voters in the city seem resigned to the fact that our representatives are somewhat unethical and we shrug our shoulders when these "small" things happen. Yet, when bigger things happen we are all shocked. Gavin is running on her service record and O'Connor has every right to, and should question her on that. Yet, O'Connor does not come off very genuine, when she makes accusations against Gavin for corruption.
ReplyDelete1:40pm
ReplyDeleteYou are absolutely WRONG.
Renters are very aware of property taxes. Landlords pass those costs on to us. We may not get the property tax bill in the mail, but we SURE DO PAY THEM.
sounds anti-renter to me
ReplyDeleteI got a flyer in the mail from Gavin slamming O'Connor for renting. HEY, I RENT, and I'm not running for office. I am very aware of property taxes because, when property taxes go up, my rent GOES UP.
ReplyDeleteGavin isn't very bright, and I'm not an O'COnnor supporter.
Back to an issue of substance - most large cities have an Inspector General, and have one for decades. Chicago was mandated to have one, because of the Shakman decree. The feds are still watching Chicago because of the city's hiring practices.
ReplyDeleteHow many of the top ten cities in the country can boast that 29 former aldermen have gone to prison. Someone needs to watch elected officials. If Gavin opposes that, I will NOT vote for her.
Gavin's mudslinging renters now? What next?
ReplyDeleteI got the Gavin anti-renter flier in the mail too. I can't believe Gavin thinks renters arent aware of property tax hikes. We pay them!
ReplyDeleteOMG and Gavin wants to represent us?
3:49
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. I want oversight and accountability over all city council members. If Gavin doesn't want to be investigated down the road, then she shouldn't be in ovffice.
I'm just passing through-
ReplyDeleteAnd read the posts about no ward website, and had a thought:
Maurita Gavin worked for the alderman for 15 years and could never manage to put up a website to help ward residents? But seems to have no problem putting up her own website for the election? Just saying - looks lazy to me
I cant wait until the election is over so that i dont get any more O'Connor pieces. Im sick of seeing her airbrushed face on a glossy 8x10 everyday.
ReplyDeleteJust stopped in to read about the two candidates and wanted to post. I haven't heard much in the way of a positive approach from Gavin. I mean, to continue to list an issue that is over 6 years old, while the country/city goes through the worst economic times of our lives, makes me wonder if she understands the issues. So far, at least O'Connor is talking about the hard issues that affect our ward? At the Norwood Chamber event, I thought Gavin threw alot of cheap shots, while residents who complained about city services and broken infrastructure received statements such as "I am not Brian Doherty" or "Please call 311". We need leadership, not excuses Maurita.
ReplyDeleteI also rent and dont understand why Gavin would say that people who rent don't understand? I had to relocate after losing my property to foreclosure. So does that make me a bad person? Why are Gavins people sending out this type of message?
ReplyDeleteyeah, its all about Gavin, not about the people.
ReplyDeleteI agree with 4:48pm. No one should be above the law. If Gavin won't agree to investigative powers for the Inpector General's office, then she doen't get my vote.
ReplyDeleteI attended the Onahan School forum, too, and was disappointed by Gavin who couldn't speak about her service record to the dozen or so residents who said they asked for help from the Alderman's office and received nothing but excuses for years.
ReplyDeleteSo, how is Gavin doing with her Facebook analysis of why her campaign is so negative. Interesting that she learned to navigate Facebook just in time for the election. Other alderman and their adminastrative assistants have been posting on Facebook to send out daily information to ward consituents for YEARS. Glad Gavin got it together for her own campaign
ReplyDeleteI personally have an issue voting for someone who doesn't own property in the ward. No skin in the game.
ReplyDelete10:55am: a form of discrimination. Renters are community members too, and do absorb property tax increases. O'Connor owns two businesses too. That's enough skin for me
ReplyDelete