Citizen Miller

2012 - March Primary (Democratic)

2012-02-09T07:06:00.000-08:00

(Here's the candidates for the contested positions,
discussion will follow in a few days)

U.S. Representative: 7th District

Jacques A. Conway
Danny K. Davis

I might just sit this one out.

Davis is so complacent, he hasn't yet changed his campaign website from the February 2010 primary.

While Conway seems to be in over his head. He recently resigned his elected position on the Oak Park school board because he was too busy with personal matters -- but now he wants to run for Congress?

And apparently he's still too busy to make his own campaign website.

State Representative : 7th District

Emanuel "Chris" Welch
Princess C. Dempsey
Beyonca Johnson
Rory Hoskins

Some relevant journalism:

Here's the report of Welch using the Proviso 90 School District funds (he's been chairman of the board) to defend himself from a lawsuit for libelous statements published on an anonymous blog that was proven to be his.

And here's the report regarding the aftermath of a relationship he had with a school district employee, Beyonca Johnson, whom he fired after they broke up and who is now running against him in this election.

Sounds like Welch and Johnson should be in the Jerry Springer show, not the Illinois state house.

Princess Dempsey still seems to be all about herself.

Hoskins served admirably on the Forest Park city council, providing an alternative to the voice of the majority. I'm voting for him.

----------------------
Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District
Vote For 3

Stella B. Black
Debra Shore Democratic
Kari K. Steele Democratic
Patrick Daley Thompson Democratic
Patricia Young Democratic
Patricia Horton

------------------------

Clerk of the Circuit Court, Cook County
Dorothy A. Brown Democratic
Ricardo Munoz

------------------------

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of Cahill)

Pamela E. Hill-Veal Democratic 111
Mathias William Delort Democratic 112
Kay Marie Hanlon Democratic 113
Mary Brigid Hayes Democratic 114
James Michael McGing Democratic 115
Laura Marie Sullivan Democratic 116

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of Johnson Coleman)

Nathaniel Roosevelt Howse, Jr. Democratic 117
Kathleen G. Kennedy Democratic 118

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of Gallagher)

Patrick J. Sherlock Democratic 119
P. Scott Neville, Jr. Democratic 120
Marguerite Anne Quinn Democratic 121

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of O'Brien)

Jesse G. Reyes Democratic 122
Rodolfo (Rudy) Garcia Democratic 123
William Stewart Boyd Democratic 124
Ellen L. Flannigan Democratic 125
Don R. Sampen Democratic 126

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Conlon)

Karen Lynn O'Malley Democratic 141
Jo Anne Hopson Guillemette Democratic 142
Stanley L. Hill, Sr. Democratic 143

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Kirie Kinnaird)

Kevin Cunningham Democratic 145
Erica L. Reddick Democratic 146

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Moran)
Vote For 1

Russell W. Hartigan Democratic 147

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of O'Brien, Jr.)
Vote For 1

Cynthia Ramirez Democratic 149
Gerald V. Cleary Democratic 150

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of O'Mara Frossard)

Nichole C. Patton Democratic 151
Kevin W. Horan Democratic 152
Diann Karen Marsalek Democratic 153
Rodrick F. Wimberly Democratic 154

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Pucinski)

Edward J. Maloney Democratic 156
Lorna Ellen Propes Democratic 157

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Simmons, Jr.)

Michael A. Forti Democratic 158
Jessica A. O'Brien Democratic 159
James A. Wright Democratic 160

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Stewart)

Pamela M. Leeming Democratic 161
Terrence M Jordan Democratic 162
Deidre Baumann Democratic 163
Mary Margaret Burke Democratic 164
Sammy W. Lacey Jr. Democratic 165
Rhonda Sallee Democratic 166
Steve Demitro Democratic 167

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Ward)

Alfred M. Swanson, Jr. Democratic 169
Denise Marie Nalley Democratic 170
Elizabeth Mary Hayes Democratic 171
Joan Marie Kubalanza Democratic 172
Peter J. Vilkelis Democratic 173
Brian J. Stephenson

Judge, 7th Subcircuit (Vacancy of Toney)

Arthur P. Wheatley Democratic 187
Mable Taylor Democratic 188
Kimberly D. Lewis Democratic 189
Mark Battaglia Democratic 190

2011 - Deja Vu

2011-03-26T09:33:00.000-07:00

Look Familiar?

This is almost identical
to the last minute
attack flier
mailed out in the
2007 election

except then it was called
the "Proviso First Party"
and it consisted of
Robin Foreman, Carla D. Johnson, and Robert Cox.

Even though the flier decried
the district's miserable test scores
demanding that the leadership
be held accountable,
when elected, they turned around
and voted to return the incumbent, Chris Welch,
as President of the Proviso District 209 School Board.

(this time, Theresa Kelly
is still on the hit list,
but Robin Foreman must have
fallen out with her cronies,
so she is being attacked now, as well)

It's these kind of antics
that continue to make the strongest argument
against having public schools at all.

There is not enough public interest
to provide any kind electoral control
over self-serving politicians.

(Note: the Forest Park Review
has refused to endorse
any of the candidates at all
as
"the downward spiral of District 209 continues")

2011 - Proviso Elections

2011-03-19T16:19:00.000-07:00

Proviso Township High School District 209
4 Year Term, Vote For 3

There is incredibly little informaton about any of these candidates.

From what I can gather, the following slate supports Chris Welch,
the incumbent President of the Board and
poster child for self-serving politics.

Readith Ester (once ran on the Serpico slate for Melrose Park)
Francine Harrell
Eduardo "Eddie" Anguiano

joining them on Welch side is incumbent, Robin Foreman

Opposing them are the following:

Carlos Anderson
Frank Montgomery
Theresa L. Kelly
Megan E. Sawa (who is the only one to put anything on the internet)

Kelly is a long time adversary of Welch, Anderson ran for the board last time, and Sawa actually has something to say -- so those three get my vote.

************

Board Member, Forest Park School District 91
4 Year Term, Vote For 3

John A. Tricoci, Jr.
Rafael Rosa
Francis J. Mott
Sean A. Blaylock

There is absolutely nothing
about of these people on the internet.

Shouldn't a member of a school board
be interested in something/anything
enough to be posting something about it?

Since Mott and Rosa are incumbents,
and still remain invisible,
I'm inclined to vote for their opponents.

*************

Trustee, Triton Community College District 504
6 Year Term, Vote For 2

The only information is found here

Jesus "Jay" Reyes (incumbent by appointment)
Roberto "Bobby" Sepulveda
Donna Leoni Peluso (incumbent)
Elizabeth Ann Potter

Ms. Potter wouldn't even be interviewed
for the above newspaper article,
so I'm writing her off.

Nothing stands out about any of the others,
even Ms. Peluso who has been on the board
for nearly 20 years.

And none of them seem to have
anything like intellectual interests.

It seems to be all about business, business, business.

I might not vote on this one at all.

2011 - Forest Park Elections

2011-03-08T17:46:00.000-08:00

Marty Tellalian
vs.
Anthony Calderone

The defining moment in Calderone's last term, at least as I see it, was choosing a personal friend and ally, instead of an urban professional, to be Village Manager.

Along with accepting donations from city contractors, this is why so many concerned citizens complain about him and possibly why he was unable to push through the two most recent major developments (the YMCA and the Roos Building.)

So I would probably vote for anybody else - just to get a new face in there and open up new possibilities.

But, thankfully, Tellalian seems to be an honest, serious, efficient alternative.

****************
Candidates for Commissioner (vote for 4)

Michael R. Curry (incumbent)
Matthew Walsh
Eric D. Connor
Chris Harris
Rory Hoskins (incumbent)
Mark S. Hosty (incumbent)
Steven R. Johnsen
Samuel J. Tarara
Tad P. Mossell
Elsie Norberg
Tom Mannix

Why would anybody run for office and not at least put up something on the internet, even if its only a free Facebook page?

So Tarara, Mossell, and Norberg are eliminated immediately.

Matthew Walsh appears to be a fine young man, but he shows no more thoughtful maturity on his website than one would expect from a high school senior.

Hosty and Curry are incumbent members of Calderone's council majority, and their websites show it -- i.e. they have nothing to say (and Curry hasn't changed his since the 2007 election - why bother?).

It does not appear that they intend to be independent minds in the council deliberations, so why vote for either one?

Tom Mannix is the fellow whose mother challenged the petitions of so many of his opponents. His responses to the questionnaire seem shallow, and since he doesn't mention it, I'm beginning to wonder whether he's ever even held a job.

So....

that leaves me with 4:

*Connor
*Harris
*Hoskins
*Johnson

*Hoskins has experience and he's been willing to flout the council majority.

*Johnson has a very heavy resume and also pledges not to take contributions from those doing business with the village.

*Harris at least took the time to answer the candidate questionnaire.

*And I don't know what to say about Connor except that at least he's a few years older
than Walsh.

***********

Commissioner, Forest Park Park District
6 Year Term, Vote For 2

John R Hosty
Cathleen M. McDermott
Roy J Sansone

McDermott and Sansone are the incumbents,
but I can find nothing
about them or the third candidate.
So, I probably just won't vote on this one.

2010 - General elections

2010-10-15T06:07:00.000-07:00

Senator, U.S.
6 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Mark Steven Kirk Republican 1
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias Democratic 2
LeAlan M. Jones Green Party 3
Mike Labno Libertarian 4

The Obama presidency has been so extraordinary, this year's congressional election is nothing less than a plebiscite on whether we wish it to continue - so the personal records of the candidates have become relevant.

Do I agree with Obama's attempt to extend health care to the un-insurable and control the financial markets so that they can't again be mainipulated to provide short-term wealth for players and long-term catastrophe for everyone else?

You bet I do - and I'm not buying the bone-headed American fundamentalism that conflates liberty with anarchy.

The job of government is to regulate for the public interest - the job of everyone else is to create, manage, invest, execute etc.

But in any other circumstance, I might be tempted to vote for Mark Kirk who might possibly accomplish more as a moderate Republican than Giannoulias would achieve as a liberal Democrat--- and God knows, the world needs more moderate Republicans

Governor and Lieutenant Governor, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Bill Brady & Jason Plummer Republican 17
Pat Quinn & Sheila Simon Democratic 18
Rich Whitney & Don W. Crawford Green Party 19
Lex Green & Ed Rutledge Libertarian 20
Scott Lee Cohen & Baxter B. Swilley Independent 22

Illinois has had a bad track record with governors lately - with one in prison and the other fighting hard to stay out. So honesty is a top priority as far as I'm concerned.

Quinn has proven himself to be a public service kind of public servant for many decades.

While, right off the bat, Brady is running an oblique campaign -- i.e. he's running against Obama instead of running for governor of Illinois -- by making "free market opportunities" and private health care issues in the campaign statement linked to the Cook County Clerk's website.

Attorney General, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Steve Kim Republican 24
Lisa Madigan Democratic 25
David F. Black Green Party 26
Bill Malan Libertarian 27

The primary job of State's Attorney is to keep politicians honest, so I can't imagine anything more foolish than electing the daughter of the state's biggest political boss. Mike Madigan, to do it.

Nor am I impressed by David Black's shopping list of liberal causes (even if I agree with all of them)

So even though I know nothing about Steve Kim, I'm hoping he will do a good job.

Secretary of State, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Robert Enriquez Republican 30
Jesse White Democratic 31
Josh Hanson Libertarian 32

I don't see why this job should be a life-time tenancy for Jesse White, but neither of his opponents even bothered to put their bio up on the County Clerk's website.

Comptroller, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Judy Baar Topinka Republican 35
David E. Miller Democratic 36
R. Erika Schafer Green Party 37
Julie Fox Libertarian 38

This one's a tough call for me.
I personally like Judy Baar Topinka, and am glad she's getting back in politics.
But why didn't she put her bio up on the County Clerk website?

And though I have zero patience with Libertarians, I like the fact that Julie Fox touts herself as a CPA for a job that should have one.

But even more, I like that David Miller promises to put the state budget online and make it interactive. So -- he's got my vote.

Treasurer, State of Illinois
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Dan Rutherford Republican 41
Robin Kelly Democratic 42
Scott K. Summers Green Party 43
James Pauly Libertarian 44

I've got to vote for Green candidate sometime -- and none of the other candidates bothered to represent themselves on the County Clerk's website.

Representative, 7th District
2 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Mark M. Weiman Republican 47
Danny K. Davis Democratic 48
Clarence Desmond Clemons Independent 49

Once again, elections for national representatives are a plebicite on Obama, so I've got to vote for the Democrat.

It also helps that Danny Davis is the only one who bothered to put anything up on the County Clerk's website.

State Senator, 4th District
2 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Kimberly A. Lightford Democratic 50

It's really a shame that nobody was willing to run against this life-time incumbent.

State Representative, 7th District
2 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Karen A. Yarbrough Democratic 52
Princess Cynthia Dempsey Independent 53

How can you not vote for a woman named "Princess"?
(reminds of one of the characters in Catch-22: "Major Major")

But I'm voting for Yarbrough, anyway.

Primarily because she has made voucher schools an issue (probably because our local high school district, Provise 90, is a poster-child for shameless political corruption)

But also because the Princess has no respect for English grammar, and comes accross as a frightfully stupid jock. (she plays football and teaches martial art)

Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, MWRD
6 Year Term, Vote For 3
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Paul Chialdikas Republican 55
Jimmy Lee Tillman II Republican 56
Mariyana T. Spyropoulos Democratic 57
Barbara McGowan Democratic 58
Michael A. Alvarez Democratic 59
Diana Horton Green Party 60
John "Jack" Ailey Green Party 61
Nadine Bopp Green Party 62

None of these candidates stand out, so I'll just vote Green.
Who else would you want to get rid of all our shit?

Board President, Cook County
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Roger A. Keats Republican 63
Toni Preckwinkle Democratic 64
Thomas Tresser Green Party 65

At least Stroger isn't running!
Tresser just sees the campaign as a soapbox, and Keats is more concerned with taxes than services.

Clerk, Cook County
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Angel Garcia Republican 66
David D. Orr Democratic 67

Here's a no-brainer.

On the one hand, we have the incumbent who has many innovations to his credit, including the voter info website that is so useful to me.

On the other hand we have the challenger whose website says "Angel Garcia wants make the political process more accessible to his constituents" -- but he won't even take the time to put a bio up on the country clerk's website.

Sheriff, Cook County
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Frederick Collins Republican 68
Thomas J. Dart Democratic 69
Marshall P. Lewis Green Party 70

The Green Party candidate thinks he reminds people of
"Marshal Dillion and Wayatt Earp"
But he reminds me of someone who not only can't spell,
but doesn't even care enough to have someone proof read his text.

While neither Dart nor Collins put any info up on the County Clerk site.

Collins doesn't doesn't show much on his website other than his face, and Dart doesn't even have a website.

So this is a tough race to pick - and maybe I just won't vote on it.

Treasurer, Cook County
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Carol A. Morse Republican 71
Maria Pappas Democratic 72

Here's another race in which I just won't vote.
Neither candidate puts anything up on County Clerk site,
Morse has nothing to say on her website, and Pappas doesn't even have a website.

It's very depressing.

It's as if both candidates believe that the less you know about them, the better chance they have of getting elected.

Assessor, Cook County
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Sharon Strobeck-Eckersall Republican 73
Joseph Berrios Democratic 74
Robert C. Grota Green Party 75
Forrest Claypool Independent 76

Since Berrios has directed his campaign against Claypool, I'm concluding that Claypool is his closest challenger.

And since Berrios has attacked him by creating two phony Claypool websites , he's totally lost my respect.

Plus -- I'm buying the argument made by all the Chicago newspapers that the Assessor's office has been a major asset in the toolkit of the Cook County Democratic Party.

Sharon Strobeck-Eckersall argues that she is the only candidate with experience in assessing the value of real estate, but that skill is not the most important issue here.

Commissioner, Cook County Board, 1st District
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Earlean Collins Democratic 77
Ronald Lawless Green Party 78

Incumbant Collins has been so invisible, the Chicago actually endorsed Lawless, the Green Party candidate.

And I think I will too.

Collins doesn't even have a website - I get the feeling the she's tired of doing this job, but doesn't have the gumption to quit.

.................................
Regarding the judges:

Here's some recommendations.

There's only one contested seat, and I'll vote for the candidate
who put something on the County Clerk site, Maureen Masterson Pulia

Regarding retention, here's the ones identified as bad apples:

Susan Jeanine McDunn
Dorothy F. Jones
Jeffrey Lawrence

while the Chicago Bar Association adds these two:

Dennis J. Morrissey
William D. O'Neal

(and none of them chose to speak up for themselves on the County Clerk site)

.................................

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of McNulty)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
James R. Epstein Democratic 84

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of O'Malley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Aurelia Marie Pucinski Democratic 85

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of South)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Mary Katherine Rochford Democratic 86

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Berland)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
William H. Hooks Democratic 87

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Bronstein)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Terry MacCarthy Democratic 88

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Dolan)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Susan Kennedy Sullivan Democratic 89

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Hayes)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Raymond W. Mitchell Democratic 90

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Kelley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
John Patrick Callahan, Jr. Democratic 91

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of McCarthy)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Maureen Masterson Pulia Republican 92
Daniel J. Gallagher Democratic 93

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of O'Malley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Thomas V. Lyons Democratic 94

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Riley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Sandra G. Ramos Democratic 95

Judge, Illinois Supreme Court (Retention)
Candidate Name Yes No
Charles E. Freeman 200 201
Thomas R. Fitzgerald 202 203

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Retention)
Candidate Name Yes No
Joseph Gordon 204 205
Shelvin Louise Marie Hall 206 207

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Retention)
Candidate Name Yes No
Sophia H. Hall 208 209
Irwin J. Solganick 210 211
Alexander Patrick White 212 213
Donald J. O'Brien, Jr. 214 215
Vincent Michael Gaughan 216 217
William D. Maddux 218 219
Robert W. Bertucci 220 221
Richard J. Billik, Jr. 222 223
Jennifer Duncan Brice 224 225
Thomas Michael Davy 226 227
David Delgado 228 229
Deborah Mary Dooling 230 231
Timothy C. Evans 232 233
Allen S. Goldberg 234 235
Susan Ruscitti Grussel 236 237
Cheyrl D. Ingram 238 239
Raymond L. Jagielski 240 241
Dorothy F. Jones 242 243
Daniel E. Jordan 244 245
Carol A. Kelly 246 247
Bertina E. Lampkin 248 249
Jeffrey Lawrence 250 251
William Maki 252 253
William D. O'Neal 254 255
Robert J. Quinn 256 257
Leida J. Gonzalez Santiago 258 259
Daniel J. Sullivan 260 261
Sharon Marie Sullivan 262 263
Susan Frances Zwick 264 265
Susan Jeanine McDunn 266 267
James Patrick McCarthy 268 269
Paul P. Biebel, Jr. 270 271
Nancy J. Arnold 272 273
Arnette R. Hubbard 274 275
Thomas L. Hogan 276 277
Nicholas R. Ford 278 279
Charles Patrick Burns 280 281
Thomas P. Fecarotta, Jr. 282 283
Denise Kathleen Filan 284 285
LaQuietta J. Hardy-Campbell 286 287
Nathaniel R. Howse Jr. 288 289
John Patrick Kirby 290 291
Diane Joan Larsen 292 293
Daniel Joseph Lynch 294 295
Kathleen Mary Pantle 296 297
Kevin Michael Sheehan 298 299
Paul Stralka 300 301
John D. Turner, Jr. 302 303
LeRoy K. Martin, Jr. 304 305
Paula Marie Daleo 306 307
Laurence J. Dunford 308 309
Robert Balanoff 310 311
Jeanne R. Cleveland Bernstein 312 313
Kathleen Marie Burke 314 315
Kay Marie Hanlon 316 317
Michelle Jordan 318 319
Thomas J. Kelley 320 321
William J. Kunkle 322 323
Clare Elizabeth McWilliams 324 325
Mary Lane Mikva 326 327
Patrick T. Murphy 328 329
Timothy Patrick Murphy 330 331
Sheryl Ann Pethers 332 333
Jim Ryan 334 335
Edward "Ed" Washington, II 336 337

Health Care Reform

2010-03-19T07:58:00.000-07:00

Having been consistently declined for coverage over the past ten years -- it's rather obvious how I would want my representatives to vote on this one.

There simply is no reason for a private insurer to take an unacceptable risk on anybody unless they have to.

And mandating such coverage seems similar to all the other government mandates that require businesses to provide safe working conditions and safe products -- all stuff that apparently lies outside the wild-west ideology that captivates so many Americans.

The argument that the current program is being precipitously rammed down the country's throat forgets that this issue has been on the table since Clinton's first term when the insurance industry killed it.

In the meantime, Republicans have held both the presidency and majorities in both houses, but no alternative programs were ever approved.

Not that this bill is perfect -- or even could be -- but it's the right step to take at this time.

And much more remains to be done -- beginning with tort reform and finding other incentives for quality performance.

At least Hoffman won Suburban Cook County

2010-02-03T15:06:00.000-08:00

Robert Marshall (DEM) 3.93% 8,989
David Hoffman (DEM) 40.88% 93,555
Jacob J. Meister (DEM) 1.2% 2,738
Alexi'' Giannoulias 37.45% 85,704
Cheryle Jackson (DEM) 16.54% 37,862

2010 - February Primary

2010-01-23T05:28:00.000-08:00

US Senate:

Robert Marshall
David Hoffman
Jacob J. Meister
Alexander "Alexi" Giannoulias
Cheryle Jackson

Why didn't Marshall, Jackson, or Meister post information about themselves on the Cook County Clerk's website?

Why didn't Hoffman present his history of public service on his own website?

Why can't either Giannoulias or Hoffman be upfront about their family's wealth?

Why do all of the candidates' websites present so little information - about as much as a cheap bulk mailer?

Why shouldn't we consider the candidates' websites to be exemplary of the transparency that they will or will not show if they ever get elected?

The main issue, in general, is who will be more inclined to serve public rather than private interests (including the candidate's own vanity) - and the first exemplary act should be to drop out of the race if it's apparent that others would make better, stronger candidates.

Goodbye Marshall and Meister.

The main issue, at this moment in time, is who can keep the seat away from the obstructive Republican Party - and how can Blago's former spokesperson have a chance?

Goodbye Jackson

Hoffman seems to be most independent, and intelligent, of the remaining candidates,
so I will vote for him.

(Note: Wikipedia lists all the endorsements for this race, giving us a pretty idea of who is independent)

Governor:

Pat Quinn
Daniel W. Hynes

It's hard not to see Quinn as a mere gadfly - building his career on the phony issue of legislative salaries.

It's just as hard not to see Hynes as a second generation team player for the political class.

I prefer the gadfly.

Lieutenant Governor:

Arthur L. Turner
Terry Link
Rickey R. Hendon
Scott Lee Cohen
Thomas Michael Castillo
Mike Boland

Boland and Turner were the only ones who bothered to put their info the County Clerk's website - and both of them make Patrick Quinn look good. But the Tribune picked Turner - so I'll assume he's the least connected.

Comptroller, State of Illinois
David E. Miller
S. Raja Krishnamoorthi
Clinton A. "Clint" Krislov

Only Krisnamoorthi had anything to say:

"As Comptroller, my priorities would include the following: putting all state contracts online to bring sunshine to our state contracting system; creating a centralized "E-Market" clearinghouse online for all state procurement opportunities to increase participation by small businesses"

So I'll vote for him. (despite his "Bright Start" connection)

Treasurer, State of Illinois

Justin P. Oberman
Robin Kelly

This is a tough one. Normally, I'd vote against a political dynasty - but Justin is the son of a noted independant - so perhaps he would be more inclined to serve the public than his own career ambitions.

Representative, 7th Congressional District

Darlena Williams-Burnett
Jim Ascot
Danny K. Davis
Sharon Denise Dixon

Danny Davis is going to get re-elected --- so what we're really voting for, here, is the runner-up who would have the best chance to take the seat when he finally retires.

Williams-Burnett's political history consistes of nothing but working in the patronage bloated office of the Recorder of Deeds. Jim Ascot is a nice fellow who actually visited my studio ---but that's all I can say for him.

But Sharon Denise Dixon seems to be a firecracker. She should have put something onto the CCC website -- but her own website tells me a story I want to hear: every local politician endorsed the opponent whom she defeated for alderman.

Democratic State Central Committeewoman, 7th Congressional District

Darlena Williams-Burnett
Karen A. Yarbrough

Yikes! Can I vote Republican on this one?

Democratic State Central Committeeman, 7th Congressional District

Danny K. Davis
Edward D. James
Brian K. Henderson

I've got to vote for Henderson, the un-employed PHD Philosopher who lives on food stamps and
bothered to put his info up on the County Clerk's website.

Commissioner, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, MWRD
6 Year Term, Vote For 3

Stella B. Black
Barbara McGowan
Michael A. Alvarez
Mariyana T. Spyropoulos --- yes
Kathleen Mary O'Reilley ---- yes
Wallace Davis, III
Maureen Kelly
Todd Connor ----yes
Kari K. Steele

(The ones chosen appear to be the most Green - and who else should do such a job?)

Board President, Cook County

Toni Preckwinkle
Terrence J. O'Brien
Dorothy A. Brown
Todd H. Stroger

This is tough one -- since Preckwinkle appears to be both the least connected and the least intelligent. But I've got to vote for her.

Sheriff, Cook County

Thomas J. Dart
Sylvester E. Baker Jr.

All I've got to go on is the Tribune endorsement of Dart.

Assessor, Cook County

Robert Shaw
Joseph Berrios
Raymond A. Figueroa

Another tough one. Berrios is the only one who posted on the County Clerk site -- where he
told us he would help the taxpayer -- but he didn't tell us about that 30 years of experience
he claims to have. Experience doing what ? paying taxes? And .. he writes like a twelve year old.
I've got to go with the Tribune's pick: Figueroa

Commissioner, Cook County Board, 1st District

Earlean Collins
Adekunle "Ade" B. Onayemi
Chris Harris Democratic
Derrick Smith Democratic

I'm picking Onayemi on this one - because I fear the incumbent is a hack, and the others don't have a chance.

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of McNulty)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Arnette R. Hubbard Democratic 131
Ellen L. Flannigan Democratic 132
Jim Ryan Democratic 133
James R. Epstein Democratic 134 --------Tribune pick
Kathleen G. Kennedy Democratic 135

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of O'Malley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Thomas L. Hogan Democratic 137 ------Tribune pick
Pamela E. Hill-Veal Democratic 138
Frank Edward Gardner Democratic 139
Aurelia Marie Pucinski Democratic 140
Don R. Sampen Democratic 141

Judge, Illinois Appellate Court, 1st District (Vacancy of South)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Mary Katherine Rochford Democratic 142 ----- tribune pick
Sebastian T. Patti Democratic 143
Kevin Rogers Democratic 144
William D. O'Neal Democratic 145
Anthony Lynn Burrell Democratic 146

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Berland)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
William H. Hooks Democratic 151 ---- tribune pick
Deidre Baumann Democratic 152
William Burnett Raines Democratic 153

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Bronstein)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Terry MacCarthy Democratic 154 ---Tribune pick
Diann K. Marsalek Democratic 156
Sharon Finegan Patterson Democratic 157
Thomas William Flannigan Democratic 158

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Dolan)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Susan Kennedy Sullivan Democratic 159
Linda J. Pauel Democratic 160 -----Tribune pick
Kevin J. Murphy Democratic 161
Ubi O'Neal Democratic 162

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Hayes)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Raymond W. Mitchell Democratic 163 ---Tribune pick
Bonnie Carol McGrath Democratic 164
Carl B. Boyd Democratic 165

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Kelley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
John Patrick Callahan, Jr. Democratic 166 -Tribune pick
Joanne F. Fehn Democratic 167

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of McCarthy)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Daniel J. Gallagher Democratic 168

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of O'Malley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Thomas V. Lyons Democratic 181

Judge, Cook County Judicial Circuit (Vacancy of Riley)
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Sandra G. Ramos Democratic 183
Russell William Hartigan Democratic 184 ..........Tribune pick
James Michael Bailey Democratic 185
John Patrick Nyhan Democratic 186
Edmund Paul Michalowski Democratic 187
Marvin W. Gray Democratic 188
Tracey J. Stokes Democratic 189

Democratic Township Committeeman, Proviso Township
4 Year Term, Vote For 1
Candidate Name Party Ballot #
Karen A. Yarbrough Democratic 211

P. D. of Forest Park Ref - Increase Limiting Rate Shall the limiting rate under the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law for the Park District of Forest Park, Cook County, Illinois, be increased by an additional amount equal to 0.120% above the limiting rate for park purposes for levy year 2008 and be equal to 0.521% of the equalized assessed value of the taxable property therein for levy year 2009? (1) The approximate amount of taxes extendable at the most recently extended limiting rate is $1,713,203.69, and the approximate amount of taxes extendable if the proposition is approved is $2,225,883.10. (2) For the 2009 levy year the approximate amount of the additional tax extendable against property containing a single family residence and having a fair market value at the time of the referendum of $100,000 is estimated to be $12.00. (3) If the proposition is approved, the aggregate extension for 2009 will be determined by the limiting rate set forth in the proposition, rather than the otherwise applicable limiting rate calculated under the provisions of the Property Tax Extension Limitation Law (commonly known as the Property Tax Cap Law). 0 0

From wht I gather -- this increase is to fund the purchase of the old Roos building on Circle Ave - so the park can expand. But does the park really need to be larger? I can't make up my mind on this one.

Forest Park: Village Administrator

2009-09-08T17:41:00.001-07:00

I hadn't been paying any attention to this issue -- until I read Mayor Calderone's front page editorial in his own newspaper, where he bellowed like a wounded bull stung by the rumors mongered over at ForestParkForums.com.

Usually, his honor's opinions are up-beat meditations on subjects like Christmas, motherhood, and apple pie -- so I knew something serious was going on.

(and BTW, I agree with him that our local internet bulletin board is a goon fest of anonymous slander. They have no credibility, and that's why their opinions are worthless)

That's when I learned, two pages later, that his old friend and former campaign manager, Tim Gillian, a former commissioner, had been selected to wear the hat of Village Administrator.

Wow!

Not only is this distinguished gentleman retired, but he has never worked as a professional administrator a day in his life.

My hat is off is to the two commissioners who voted against him - Rory Hoskins and Marty Tellalian, as well as to Steve Backman, the dedicated gadfly, who videotaped the whole shameful proceeding.

Here's the meeting where the commissioners begin the search (note how Mark Hosty calls for a "professional who is non-political")

and

Here's where they take their final vote, six months later. (apparently, Hosty has changed his mind)

Tellalian seems quite used to making concession speeches - and alas - what really is "the metric for measuring a poorly run village?"

While Mike Curry seems a little shamefaced as he thanks the 20 applicants for the job (one of whom is sitting in the audience), and none of whom had a chance against the Mayor's old friend, making the whole procedure of a "national search" a mere formality.

As Tellalian concludes, there's not another village in the State of Illinois that would hire Gillian as an administrator.

Unfortunately, this proves that the Mayor feels immune to criticism and has the confidence to do whatever he wants.

And it would also suggest that the job of "Village Administrator" may be unnecessary in a village this small.

************************************************************************
A comment to this post has suggested that the job of the Village Administrator is to be "the right hand of the mayor".

However, going looking at the "powers and duties" listed on the Village website,
we find:

"The village administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the village and shall be responsible to the mayor and to the combined village council for the administration and operation of all of the affairs and the departments of the village."

Here is the complete text:

1-5A-3: POWERS AND DUTIES:

A. Fiscal Matters: The village administrator shall have custody and control of all documents, including debts, mortgages, leases, contracts, judgment orders, notes, bonds and evidences of indebtedness belonging to the village except such as are directed by law or ordinance to be deposited elsewhere. The village administrator shall have supervision of the issuance and sale of all bonds, warrants and obligations, and shall have supervision over the accounting work of the village.

Specifically, but not in limitation of the above, the village administrator shall have the following powers and duties:

1. On or before May 31 of each year the village administrator or his designee shall submit to the corporate authorities a report of the amounts of money necessary to defray the expenses of the village during the next fiscal year, and in said report classify and detail the purpose of the expenditures, the aggregate income of the preceding fiscal year and the village liabilities and anticipated revenues.

For the purpose of preparing the aforesaid estimate, the village administrator or his designee is authorized to require all officers to submit statements of the condition and expenses of their respective offices or departments, a description of proposed village improvements, and the probable expense thereof, a description of all unperformed contracts and a statement of the amount of all unexpired appropriations of the preceding year.

2. The village administrator shall, after evaluating all necessary data, conferring with the finance director and consulting with the mayor and village council, prepare and submit the annual appropriation and tax levy ordinances for passage by the village council. In conjunction with these obligations, the village administrator shall utilize current available revenues and search out and recommend additional sources of revenue necessary to operate the village.

3. The village administrator shall recommend to the village council the salaries to be paid officers and employees of the village when requested by the village council.

4. The village administrator shall, each month, cause to be prepared and shall present to the village council a statement showing the exact financial position of the village and give such additional reports and information concerning the fiscal matters of the village as may from time to time be required by the village council. (Ord. O-53-00, 12-18-2000)

5. Pursuant to 65 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/4-5-2, the village council hereby prescribes that the village administrator shall have the power and duty to conduct collective bargaining on behalf of the village with village employees or their exclusive representatives; to designate the other members of the village's collective bargaining negotiating teams; to enter into tentative agreements with the exclusive representatives of village employees regarding the wages, hours and other terms and conditions of employment, subject to ratification by the village council; to report periodically to the village council regarding the status of such collective bargaining; and to perform any other functions necessary to carry out such duties. (Ord. O-13-03, 4-28-2003)

B. Village Administration: In addition to the above duties, the village administrator shall perform such other duties as are herein provided:

The village administrator shall be the chief administrative officer of the village and shall be responsible to the mayor and to the combined village council for the administration and operation of all of the affairs and the departments of the village. As such administrative officer, and unless otherwise directed by the village council, the village administrator shall have the administration and control of all matters and things pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the properties of the village and of all departments of the village. He shall also have supervision of such other administrative agencies and departments and officers as may be hereafter created by the village council, unless the administration and control of such departments and officers is expressly delegated elsewhere. He shall perform his duties in conformity with the rules in the village. Specifically, but not in limitation of the above, he shall have the following additional powers and duties:

1. Recommend to the mayor and village council the appointment of all officers of the village who are required by law to be appointed by the village council and further recommend the removal or suspension of any such officer or employee when such removal or suspension shall be consistent with the best interests of the village.

2. The village administrator shall make or cause to be made all necessary purchases of supplies and equipment for all departments of the village and, for that purpose, the village administrator is authorized to make expenditures without approval from the village council that are consistent with the purchasing ordinance of the village1; provided, however, that all expenditures and payments, regardless of the amount, shall be subject to the confirmation or approval of the village council and to the limitations imposed by law, ordinance and/or budget or special appropriation, and pursuant to chapter 8, article A of this title.

3. The village administrator shall attend all meetings of the village council unless excused therefrom by the village council, except when his removal is under consideration by the village council. The village administrator shall have the privilege of taking part in the discussion of all matters coming before the village council and shall be entitled to notice of all meetings, regular and special, of the village council when required.

4. The village administrator shall investigate all complaints in relation to matters concerning village services and village administration.

5. The village administrator may, when requested by the commissioner in charge of a department, recommend the appointment and/or discharge of an employee in such department with supporting information regarding the reason for such appointment and/or discharge, exclusive of employees and officers of the police department and regular firefighters under the jurisdiction of the board of fire and police commissioners2.

6. The village administrator shall devote his entire time to the discharge of official duties.

7. The village administrator shall perform such other duties as may be required of him by the village council consistent with the statutes of the state of Illinois and village ordinances.

8. Subject to final approval of the village council, the village administrator may consolidate, combine or reorganize any departments under his jurisdiction. (Ord. O-53-00, 12-18-2000)

Provisio elections: April 2009

2009-03-18T05:14:00.000-07:00

The bad news is that Karen Yarbrough, the State representative who defeated Eugene Moore, the machine politician, for Democratic Committeeman in 2006, has turned coat and is now allied with her former opponents, including Chris Welch, who runs the School Board like a family business.

An extensive documentation of the Welch regime (citing articles from local newspapers) can be found here.

That is also the site of the Proviso Progressive Party, and a voter would have to be crazy, lazy, or beholden to the incumbents not to vote for each and every one of them:

Theresa L. Kelly
Township Supervisor

William J. Daugherty Jr.
Township Clerk

C. Michael Montino
Township Assessor

Ivan V. Williams
Township Collector

Colin A. Brady
Township Trustee

Michael Sheehan
Township Trustee

Pat Doolin
Township Trustee

Lennel Grace, Jr.
Township Trustee

PROVISO HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 209
Kevin McDermott
Carlos Anderson
Rebecca M. Smith
Arbdella “Della” Patterson

John Simpson
Trustee of Schools

**************************************************************

Voters might remember that the last time around, Welch ran a slate of candidates for the school board, their campaign literature attacked the status quo.

But then, after elected, they turned around and re-elected him as president of the school board.

Wasn't that clever!

This time, he's running two slates -- the one for township positions is called the "Township Advocates of Proviso". Their literature doesn't even pretend to be about reform - all they promise are perks for senior citizens. (and they have no website -- why bother -- the less voters know about them the better)

It's the same old culture of self-serving corruption that has made Illinois a national disgrace, and I suppose it will continue until citizens stop being depressed about it and actually go to the polls and become voters.

..........................................................................................................

Regarding Proviso Township Trustee of School 39N -- I don't even know where that school is ! None of the candidates have a website -- and only one of them, John Simpson, has put anything onto the County Clerk website. So -- I guess I'll have to vote for him.

..................................................

Regarding the Board of Triton College:

this article sufficed to convince me to vote against Glenn Stam and Mark Stephens.

Especially since neither one has offered any kind of rebuttal - on the paper's website or on their own.

Unfortunately, the two opponents,

Thomas W. Hagle
Marie J. Caronti

....have nothing to say as well.

Why can't they put something on the County Clerk's site ? Why can't they start their own blogs and discuss the issues ? Why should anyone believe that they will be any less self-interested than the incumbents?

(Caronti does have a comment posted after the Wednesday Journal article -- but it mystifies more than it explain. Who the heck is her mother-in-law ?)

All we've got are videos from the League of Women Voters, and Thomas W. Hagle didn't even bother to show up. (though I'll vote for him anyway)

*****************

Update on Election Results: Almost a complete disaster! But at least Kevin McDermott made it onto the School Board. He seems to be a smart, honest, committed citizen -- and I appreciate his efforts.

Mea Culpa

2009-01-05T08:35:00.000-08:00

OK -- I voted for Rod Blagojevich -- twice ! -- and now I must seek absolution for my sin.

It's not like there wasn't plenty of evidence -- at least for the second election - that this was Mr. Pay-to-play --- but isn't a little bit of this acceptable ?

How else can anyone other than a billionaire run for a major office in America?

It's just that -- at some point -- the pay-to-player has to draw the line --- and some vision of public service has to trump the streams of income.

But this fellow just seems to be as shameless as a sociopath.

Maybe I should have voted for Judy Bar Topinka -- but I don't see how she can be separated from the state Republican leadership that gave us the big-time pay-to-play governors - from Thompson to Ryan.

The democratic system has really been failure in Illinois -- and who can be blamed except for us voters ?

Other candidates - Nov. 2008

2008-10-14T17:54:00.001-07:00

U.S. Senate:

Dick Durbin: I've always liked this guy - a downstate Democrat - the proper heir to Paul Simon. Though I wish he were - um -- a little more of an original maverick. And I wish his website would be more informative about what he's done rather than what pie-in-the-sky he's going to advocate.

Steve Sauerberg: Why is this career physician running for U.S. Senate? Because no serious Republican contenders could be found? BTW -- as a physician -- what has he ever done to expand health care beyond those who are insured ? Since he mentions nothing about that on his website -- we can assume the answer is that he has done nothing.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

U.S. House of Representatives 7th District:

Danny Davis: Is there any reason to consider him anything other than a Chicago machine politician?

Steve Miller: But what kind of a candidate is this? What has been his public service to date? "Currently involved with the Skinner Park Advisory committee to develop a safe tax-free, self managed dog park for nearly 2,500 resident pets"
This guy is a joke.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rep. In State Gen. Assembly :

Karen A. Yarbrough -- running unopposed.

(this is not the way a democracy should function -- once again the Republican party is too narrow to run a credible candidate in my district)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
Water Reclamation Commissioner:

Avila seems to be the most qualified -- while this seems like the perfect job for people from the Green party -- so that's how I'll vote it: Avila, Ailes, Bogolub

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

States Attorney:

I can see no reason to vote for a Democratic state's attorney in a county run by Democrats -- so I've got to vote for Peraica

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Judicial retention:

Here's the ones that were declared unrecommended by the Bar Association:

Anthony Lynn Burrell
Evelyn B. Clay
Vanessa A. Hopkins
Casandra Lewis

plus this one who was dissed by the Tribune and Chicago Council of Lawyers:
Edward Pietrucha

None of them has chosen to respond to that opinion on the internet - so I'm going to have to go with it.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Illinois state constitutional convention:

No -- I don't care for a procedure to impeach the governor - and I'm not hearing a lot of excitement for any other proposal. So -- maybe it's best to leave the state constitution alone for another 20 years.

----------------------------------------------------------

Countywide referendum on procedures to recall an elected state official: -- that's what elections are for -- this referendum just looks like political nonsense

McCain Vs Obama

2008-09-05T08:10:00.000-07:00

It being 60 days before the election -- I guess it's finally time to sort this one out.

And once again -- my first complaint -- is that the campaign websites are so worthless regarding what each candidate has actually done -- for which the most useful authority seems to be Wikipedia.

O.K. -- all advertising must sell the sizzle not the steak -- but still, it would seem that a sincere concern for public life would motivate a candidate to have at least some part of their website offer serious discussion of their role in recent history.

Here's my pros and cons for each candidate:

McCain

Pros: The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. -- whether it can survive the Republican Supreme Court is another question -- or ever be effective -- but you've got to respect the drive to end quid-pro-quo legislation - even if it must be a perpetual activity. McCain gets big points for this -- and maybe only a man with his hero-status could have taken it as far as it's gone.

Pros: Educational Choice. This is part of the Republican platform -- and I don't even know if McCain has ever given it a second thought -- but still it gets some points -- even if Republicans have never been able to do anything about it, even when they ran the show.

Cons: Universal Health Care: McCain has spoken up against it -- saying that it "puts a bureaucrat between you and your doctor". But what about people who can't afford a doctor (i.e. major medical treatment) at all?. I was one of those -- being dropped by my insurance company and then un-insurable for 6 years due to a precondition. This is a major issue for our country at this time --and McCain's sloganeeering can only be called callous and thoughtless.

Con: What else has he accomplished ? what more will he accomplish ? Returning a Republican administration to office for another four years so they can continue to serve the interests of big business? I don't really see any serious purpose here other than "I want to be President" --
any more than his reason for flying planes in Vietnam was "I want to be an admiral like my father" (he's admitted that prior to his capture, his motivations were all self centered)

A man of extraordinary personal strength ? Yes
A man who deserves to be honored as a hero? Yes
A man who will use that reputation to benefit the public rather than just himself ?

I'm not sure.

(and yet -- if he had beaten Bush in the 2000 primary -- I would probably have voted for him as President)

*********************************

Obama:

Pro: Mostly -- to return a Democratic administration to Washington -- with its historic role of serving the bottom rather than the top of society-- including/especially appointing Supreme Court justices who will protect the campaign finance reform effected by McCain -- and to work further towards universal health care (not that it's achievement is a cure-all -- but it's a step in the right direction)

And yes -- I do like the idea of a black man as President. Much of what a President does is to exemplify America. (that's why Bill Clinton was such a failure) -- and having grown up in a Jim Crow city (Cincinnati) -- I would feel very good about a black American President -- and that's how I would like the rest of the world to see us.

Con: I just don't know much more that's good about him So far -- he's been a go-along guy -- don't rock the Democratic Party boat. Of course -- that's what beginners have to do -- he's not a big war hero like McCain -- if he rocks the boat too much -- they won't let him climb on.

Perhaps he has been an inventive, effective legislator -- I just don't know the details.

Judicial Contests - 2008

2008-02-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

O.K. -- I admit -- I'm totally at sea regarding this part of the ballot -- and never have done the justices justice (usually just leaving it blank -- or voting against all incumbents)

But a person can do a good job - or a poor one -- while sitting in judgment of their fellow citizens -- and those who do a good job should be re-elected -- if only I knew who that was !

What I'd really like to see -- is at least one essay for and against each candidate -- rather than just a sum total of endorsements.

Lacking that -- I'm going to go with what the candidate has to say -- figuring that if a judge can't express himself/herself in succinct, expository prose -- they have no business being a judge.

So.. for example.... in the Disko vacancy -- Dennis J. Burke has got the most endorsements -- but has some difficulty expressing himself. His website is minimal (at best) -- and the text that he put onto the website of the Cook County Clerk is .. well .. let's just say it's not very impressive -- and leaves me completely unconvinced when it reaches its awkward conclusion:

"As you can see, Judge Burke is a very well-rounded individual who is well-qualified for this position"

On the other hand, his opponent , Lauretta Higgins Wolfson, came up with a bit more tuneful speech --with something of a rhetorical flair:

"I bring to the Circuit Court the sum of my experience, in law and in life. I know there are no unimportant cases and no unimportant people. Everything that comes before me matters. Everyone matters. Everyone who comes to court – individuals, government agencies, corporations – deserves to be treated fairly and decently. I believe the way we treat people and the way we decide disputes has everything to do with trust and confidence in our courts. Without that trust and confidence our legal system would crumble"

So Wolfson gets my vote -- and so do these other judicial candidates -- judging from the text they posted to the Cook County Clerk's site:

Michael B. Hyman
Frank James Ryan
Debra B. Walker
Richard F. Walsh
Alan J. Greiman

Many candidates did not take the time to write anything at all -- which makes it very easy for me to prefer the opponent.

And incredibly enough -- nothing was written by any of the candidates for some of the vacancies. They must assume that some kind of party machine politics is going to carry them onward to victory.

I just hope they're wrong.

Democratic Primary February 2008

2008-01-19T16:47:00.000-08:00

*U.S. House of Representatives, 7th District: Danny Davis (incumbent) vs. Robert Dallas.

Looking at Danny Davis on "On the Issues" website -- I'm not desperate to see him retire. (though I do wish he had voted on behalf of voucher school programs)

But regarding Robert Dallas -- why doesn't this man have a website ? Why would he expect anyone to vote for him ? I guess he just wants to make his name more familiar for future races -- but this seems to be a rather cynical abuse of the electoral system. If he has a reason to run this time --he should tell us -- otherwise, he shouldn't run. So I probably will remember his name --but not in a positive sense.

*Metropolitan Water Reclamation District:

Cook County Democratic Party endorses: Kathleen Meany, Frank Avila, Dan Maragos
Chicago Tribune endorses: Mariyana Spyropoulos, Derrick Stinson, Frank Avila

Why would anyone vote for those endorsed by the local Democratic party -- unless one is a loyal member ? So I'll vote against their candidates -- except for Frank Avila -- since he appears to be the only candidate who's an expert on the subject. The other two endorsed by the Tribune seem reasonable enough (reading their statments linked to the Board of Elections site) -- and the other candidates show nothing special to recommend them - i.e. no special expertise, no special ideas.

So -- I'm going with Mariyana Spyropoulos, Derrick Stinson, and Frank Avila

*Cook County Recorder of Deeds: Eugene Moore (incumbent) vs. Ed Smith.

I'm afraid that everything I've heard about Eugene Moore is negative -- as a player in the kind of county politics that rewards loyalty and punishes real public service.
(He's repeatedly listed as being the patron of the kingpins of our pathetic, Proviso District 209 school district)

So in this race -- I would vote for a horse instead of him.

*Cook County State's Attorney:

Thanks to the this wonderful site, presented by the Chicago Tribune, we get see a candidate forum.

Why aren't all candidate forums put up on the internet ?

It looks like the black and white candidates are split over whether the public needs to be protected more from the criminals or from the law enforcement system -- and it's probably a bit of both. But Larry Suffredin seems to be the candidate most concerned with running the office effectively/efficiently.

And yet -- there's his career as a lobbyist for casino and tobacco interests (as reported in the Tribune editorial that preferred to endorse Tom Allen) Is that the only way he could pay the bills ? This just doesn't look like the career of a devoted public servant.

Tom Allen has the personality of a dead fish -- but maybe I'll vote for him anyway -- at least his presentation was simple and direct.

(other contests to be discussed later)

Presidential Primaries

2007-12-13T06:02:00.000-08:00

It's time for this voter to weigh in on Presidential primaries.

It's possible that Iraq would have descended into civil sectarian war whether or not the U.S. had invaded it - and whether the U.S. has disbanded its national army or not --- but right now -- it sure looks like a disaster -- and the Republican party is responsible for it.

It might still make sense to support the sectarian wing of the Republican party against the Christian true-believers -- but I think the whole party needs to spend some time in the penalty box to contemplate the consequences of their poor judgment.

So I'm only going to be considering Democratic candidates today.

Every primary has two separate issues:

1. Who is more electable

2. Who could do a better job once elected

Regarding the first question - I'm not very confidant. Which candidate would have the broadest appeal ? Since Americans elected W the last around -- despite his deceit and disastrous war -- it's hard for me to figure who they'll like this time -- and
maybe I'll just beg off this question.

Regarding the second -- I would have to pick Hilary Clinton -- because she's already spent 8 years in the White House -- she knows that job -- she knows who can work with her - and she's even spent some time as a political leader rather than just the wife of one.

So I've got to pick Hilary -- even though I find Barack Obama more appealing as a personality -- and as symbol of America's long climb out of racism.

(and maybe the next time around -- she actually will be able to reform American health care -- an issue that hangs over my un-insurable life like the Sword of Damocles)

Waiting for the next election cycle

2007-04-20T05:40:00.000-07:00

Since Citizen Miller has a focus on candidates rather than issues, this site is now going into dormancy -- until the next election cycle comes around.

The big challenge in local elections is getting enough (or any) information about the candidates -- and hopefully candidates will be a little more forthcoming the next time around.

I remember back forty years ago -- when I was growing up in Cincinnati -- my Mom was a member of the League of Women Voters -- and they presented information about every candidate for everything. Here (Illinois) the League seems to have morphed into issue advocacy.

The internet offers a great opportunity to economically present as much information as anyone wants to gather -- but that's the problem -- no one is doing that work in a reliable, non-partisan way -- and most of the candidates don't even bother to present themselves.

Here in Forest Park, we have a listserv for local politics (ForestParkForums.com) but participants are anonymous and irresponsible - so if there is any good information being presented, it's lost in the barrage of name-calling, rumor mongering, and vicious innuendo.

We also have a non-partisan community action group, Citizens United for Forest Park , but it's really just one man's crusade against Village Hall and over-development.

Hopefully -- eventually -- it will take its mission more seriously, and present an informative, non-partisan website covering local issues and candidates.

And finally, we have local blogger (Carl Nyberg) who's dedicated to "activist journalism" -- but he's not really dedicated to credible journalism -- which takes a lot a work (verifying all the stories that come in) - and since he's not getting paid for this job -- I can hardly blame him for not doing it.

And, of course, we have the local newspaper - (Forest Park Review) and maybe that's the best we'll ever have -- dependent on the skill and maturity of the young journalists who begin their careers with a low-paying job at a tiny, local newspaper.

My fondest hope is that the losing candidates from these recent elections will build informational websites with the time they would have spent going to board meetings if they had been elected.

Is that too much to ask ?

Post Mortem: Election April 2007

2007-04-19T08:57:00.000-07:00

Well....... it looks like an endorsement by Citizen Miller is the kiss of death !

Of the 12 positions being filled by election -- only 2 of my candidates ended up in the winner's circle.

(but maybe that's good news -- because hopefully some of them, with extra time on their hands, will start political blogs that will make me better
informed in the next election cycle)

Regarding the Mayor of Forest Park:

I'd say it's amazing that the challenger did as well as she did (if 100 votes had swung the other way -- she'd have won)
given that:

*she was outspent at least 5:1
*she's not a good public speaker -- nor, from what I've seen -- a very congenial, glad-handing sort of person
*the incumbent has been perfectly situated to campaign face-to-face for his last 8 years in office (and there only are 2,800 voters here)
*the economic prospects and appearance of the village have remarkably improved over those past 8 years

So the obvious choice really was to vote for the incumbent -- except that --- the closer you look at what he's done -- the less appealing he becomes.

Even if it's perfectly legal - the pay-to-play American approach to politics is debilitating --- whether it's on a local or national level.

.................................................................

Regarding the Commissioners of Forest Park:

The entire slate of candidates endorsed by the local newspaper turned out to be the winners -- so I guess most voters relied on them when selecting among mostly unfamiliar candidates.

I'm glad that Marty Tellalian won a seat -- he seems to have been the one candidate who was both already engaged in public life and critically thoughtful.

But I am down hearted that all of the other winners followed the incumbent mayor's lead in not endorsing the campaign pledge proposed by our local citizen's group, "Citizens United for Forest Park"

It's just not a good sign -- that yet another generation of politicians is marching lock-step toward a career of self-service.

...................................................................

Regarding Proviso District 209 High Schools:

What a puzzle !

The "Proviso First" slate wins 2 of 3 seats -- but the third seat goes to the one candidate whom their campaign attacked the most vociferously ----
and all this despite the fact that "Proviso First" supported the incumbent administration of a school which has just scored at the very bottom of Chicago suburban school districts.

It seems that the total failure of job performance is completely irrelevant to political success.

Were so many voters just plain fooled by a campaign that pretended to be critical of incumbency ?

........................................................................

Regarding the other races (Triton and Proviso trustees) --- the winning candidates presented nothing about themselves -- via either flier or website -- so how did they win ?

The politics of American education can be a very mysterious thing.

Election results: April 2007

2007-04-19T07:52:00.000-07:00

Mayor of Forest Park

Anthony T. Calderone 1,491
Theresa A. Steinbach 1,295

Forest Park Commissioner (pick 4)

Rory Hoskins 1,676
Martin L. Tellalian 1,445
Michael R. Curry 1,411
Mark S. Hosty 1,318

John H. Plepel 1,127
Anthony J. Lazzara 1,004
Carl G. Nyberg 696
Jerry Webster 656

Proviso District 209: (pick 3)

Robert ''Bob'' Cox 6,209
Theresa L. Kelly 5,252
Robin Foreman 5,242

Kevin R. McDermott 4,961
Carla D. Johnson 3,755
Ralph W. Harris 3,575
Janice R. Johnson 3,471
James A. Boyd 2,969
Terrase Craig 1,869

Triton Board of Trustees:(pick 3)

Thomas Gary 22,614
Diane M. Viverito 20,800
Irene Moskal Del Giudice 16,141
Stephen R. Kubiczky 15,673
Alfonza ''AL'' McKinnor 12,407

Priviso Township Trustee of Schools:

Mark Walsh 10,472
John O'Sullivan 5,657

Proviso Township Trustee of Schools: April 2007

2007-04-16T05:51:00.000-07:00

Here's a contest that I only discovered at the last minute -- Thanks to a flier from one of the candidates, John O' Sullivan.

There's nothing online about what this job entails -- and nothing has been heard from the
other candidate, Mark Walsh.

So assuming that the one who is silent is a party functionary -- I can only vote for the man
who at least has described the position and the issues that are involved -- which includes
determining whether it ought to be eliminated.

Campaign fliers: April 2007

2007-04-15T20:16:00.000-07:00

Very similar to the flier Chris Welch used last November to attack Karen Yarbrough in the contest for State Representative -- featuring a "bad woman" who 's pulling one over on the tax payers (Yarborough's alleged crime was poor attendance at the state house)

In both cases -- it's not much of a crime (board members are supposed to attend relevant conferences - and their expenses are paid to do so)

Note also the reference to the poor performance of the school district - with the suggestion that this travelin' woman is responsible for it

I like these photos of the candidates talking with school kids (similar to the ones shown in their
first mailing) -- because they couldn't look more phony/staged.

What are these adults doing talking to kids in the high school anyway? They're not teachers, they're not incumbent board members -- and there's no indication that they've ever volunteered to tutor or counsel in the school.

This 8-page flier is probably the most outrageous one here -- because it's been paid for by the school district itself -- as a kind of district promotional flier -- that just happens to get mailed the week before the election for school board.

What a coincidence !

But then -- who's paying for the other fliers that support the "Proviso First Party" ?
Here it is, one day before the election, and the party has yet to report its campaign contributions -- which will probably turn out to be the political war chests of the current Board President and his political allies -- money collected from those who do business with the district.

Here's one of the fliers from their opposition: smaller, less frequent, and more poorly designed.

And just as misleading !

Since the "Citizens for Better Schools" have political allies who are sponsoring them as well.
(the same Karen Yarbrough who defeated Chris Welch in the election last year)

Here's a small, but detailed flier from a candidate for mayor of Forest Park.
But still -- how much can be said on a flier ?

I asked her -- by email --- to expand on her discussion of village financial history on her website -- which she wrote me she would do --- but, regretfully , she did not.

Here's the flier from the out-going committeeman who lost the mayoral primary in February.

Again -- the flier is heavy with banalities -- and I don't really care whether a candidate has cute Irish children.

He was the best public speaker in the field -- but was soundly beaten by the other two candidates.

Here's one of the many (a dozen ?) large, glossy fliers sent out by the incumbent --
each one serving to remind us of how much money he's collected from people
doing business in Forest Park over the two terms he's been mayor.

There's been a kind of orchestration to this advertising campaign -- and this is one arrived
the weekend before the election -- giving the candidate in the most stately - regal presentation:
HE IS OUR MAYOR

Incumbents get to list their accomplishments -- but that's the problem with the one-sided
arguments found in advertising: the list is phony -- and indeed takes credit for issues (like
fiscal management and eliminating overcrowding) that have been the worst problems of his
administration.

All this professional layout ---

I feel like I'm being sold a new SUV.
(that I cannot afford)

Here's a candidate I never heard of
running for an office I never of --
and all I can discover about either one
is printed on this flier.

Why is this businessman (John O'Sullivan) spending $8000
to design/print/mail a flier
to win a dead-end Proviso township job that has no salary ?

Here's the front and back of the flier from the only winner
in the Forest Park election for whom I voted (Marty Tellalian)

(and it arrived in my mailbox 5 days after the election!)

Triton Community College District 504: April 2007

2007-04-13T06:50:00.000-07:00

I thought my job for this election was over -- but then I discovered this site

The site doesn't always work -- but when it does -- it shows a sample ballot for every district -- and I discovered that I also need to pick the trustees for Triton Community College.

There are seven trustees with three up for election this cycle. Terms are six years.

I know nothing about the school -- the issues -- or any of the candidates.

*****************************************************************

Online endorsements and brief discussion has been offered by a few local newspapers and Carl Nyberg (a local blogger)-- but only one candidate has bothered to present himself and his ideas: Alfonza "Al" McKinnor (who put the info up on the Cook County Clerk's site)

Why would candidates run for office without presenting themselves to the voters ? (unless they're just serving the interests of some political patron)

So I'm voting for McKinnor -- and nobody else.

*****************************************************************

below I've appended McKinno's info page -- since I'd expect the Cook County Clerk to take it off-line after the election:

I’m running to fill the position of Trustee on Triton College’s Board because I feel that the current system has to be changed, and to change a system, a person must work on the inside to influence the change. The system I want to change is the culture or personality of the college from the present culture of fear and distrust to one of excitement. Employees should be excited to be a part of Triton College.

My main strengths are my experience/education:
Served eight years as a village trustee in the Village of Maywood.
Served five years on the Board of Fire/Police Commissioners.
Served ten years as an advocate for youth in Juvenile Court.
Served two years as president of the Maywood American Cancer Society.
Served two years as President of St. Martin Catholic School PTA.
Currently serving as the Executive Director of the Maywood Park District.
Candidate for a DBA (Doctorate of Business Administration) from Argosy University-Schaumburg Campus.
Advance Certificate in Business from Argosy University-Schaumburg.

The issues I would address are:
1. Organizational Structure- restructure the system to eliminate unnecessary administrative positions, and seek-out more career faculty for new programs. Identify the top programs needed to increase Triton’s awareness to new and former students.
2. Increase partnerships with national and international businesses to establish Triton College as a leader in the global market.
3. Eliminate the traditional way students earn their degrees from Triton.
4. Continue to offer retirement incentives to attract new faculty.

Residents should vote for me because I have demonstrated that I have the stick-to-it attitude necessary to change Triton College. The passion to make Triton better is still in me after thirty years as an instructor. I want to give back to the institution that I helped build; I am qualified, and there is still a lot of work to accomplish to make Triton the #1 institution in the country. I would like to mirror the positive attributes that Mayor Daley has fostered for the City of Chicago.

Proviso District 209: April 2007

2007-04-07T05:57:00.000-07:00

This is, by most accounts, the worst high school district in suburban Chicago -- and if parents can afford it -- their children usually go to private schools.

It faces the same problems as the many urban schools immersed in a street culture of poverty, drugs, gangs, and violence -- where the parent (or parents) often cannot motivate their children to become educated.

Meanwhile, it's also immersed in Cook County politics -- so, for example, Eugene Moore, Cook County Recorder of Deeds, is paid $160,000 / year to renew the district's insurance policy.

*******************************************************************

There are two slates of candidates running for the three open positions (out of seven) on the board -- and here's what one of them ("Proviso First") had to say on its campaign flier:

"We've All Read the Bad News"

*Proviso test scores rank dead last among all suburban high school districts
*Proviso board erupts over petty politics
*Proviso high schools charged with patronage hiring
*Proviso board members travel on taxpayer dollars

And that's the slate that supports the current regime !

(hoping, I suppose, that voters don't know that -- though there
is a certain symmetry here: a school administration that enables ignorance needs ignorance to be maintained)

This subterfuge is really rather shocking -- and says so much about the difficulty of running an American public school where an un-paid school board must run for election.

It's just like in ancient Rome -- the primary motivation for an unpaid public official is to benefit from insider deals -- and the primary participant is a small, but organized army of patronage workers. (in Rome they were called clients)

The opposing slate features two new players -- and one former board president (and former ally of the current president) -- and I suppose the big question here is whether she (Theresa Kelly) should be returned to office. (she's the one accused of "traveling on taxpayer dollars")

But if she's not elected -- the current board majority maintains control -- since no other candidate has announced opposition to them. (and some candidates have announced nothing - no flyers -- no website -- sometimes not even granting interviews to the newspaper !)

So all the responsible voter here can do is vote for the Harris-Kelly-McDermott slate
**************************************************************************

BTW -- in this internet age, there is no (good) reason that candidates cannot educate voters on all the issues relevant to an election.

Back when mailings or posters or newspaper ads were the only way to reach voters -- there was no way to discuss an issue in depth.

But the only expense of a web-site is the time it takes to assemble it -- and if a candidate does not have the time (or knowledge) to do it -- they should not be running for public office.

How I wish that these candidates would lay before us the finances, programs, and detailed issues of this school district.

BTW II: I really wonder whether the day of the giant, all-inclusive American high school is over -- and whether those who opt out -- for private, religious, or home schools should also be required to pay for an educational system they don't use. (for good reason)

The recent establishment of an alternative test-enter school (the Proviso Math and Science Academy) was a step in the right direction -- but many more steps need to be taken to maximize the educational experience for children from a wide variety of backgrounds with a wide variety of abilities.

*****************************************************

Here's the people running:

Citizens for Better Schools slate: (the one I'm voting for)

Theresa Kelly

Ralph Harris

Kevin McDermott

***********************************************************************

Proviso First Party slate: (the one that pretends to be critical of the current administration)

Robin Foreman

Carla D. Johnson

Robert Cox

**************************************************************************

(there are two other candidates -- but since they've published nothing about themselves --what's the point ?. I guess they're just in there to draw votes away from the opposition)

Forest Park Elections: April 2007

2007-04-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

A bit of background:

Forest Park has 15,000 souls, of which about 3,000 show up on election day -- so it's not a very large body politic.

Village government maintains the streets, sewers, police department, fire department -- and most controversially - the zoning of property.

It has a Commissioner form of government, with four commissioners and a mayor elected every four years -- and it's so small -- that these are considered part-time jobs. Until recently, the mayor was paid $20 thousand/year and the commissioners $3 thousand/year. (now the mayor gets 40 and the commissioners 10 )

(Given the amount of work/responsibility they have -- I basically consider them as paid volunteers)

Relevant recent history:

Property values have doubled in the past 10 years -- the business district has gone more upscale (but still has it's share of seedy bars) -- reflecting , I think, an overall tendency of people with means to return to the city from the distant suburbs. (Forest Park is a very close-in suburb)

The incumbent mayor, Tony Calderone, is given some credit for this economic expansion -- and he certainly is a go-go, up-beat, pro-business kind of guy -- while still being a down-home
local man who grew up here and has a small security alarm business. I like him -- he's accessible and appears to be very hard working.

The problem, however, is I really wonder how good his judgement has been -- regarding the management of the police department that seems to have more
internal controversies than it should -- and regarding the transformation of the village from low-density single family homes to enormous condo developments (like the one at
the end of my block)

It just doesn't seem like there's any development that he doesn't like (unless residents organize a protest) -- and recently his village manager presented the council
with legislation to approve the use of eminent domain to acquire several village homes to be turned into a parking lot for the business district.

Upon an outcry being raised -- this proposal was quickly dropped -- and he's firmly against any such program -- but what if an outcry hadn't been raised ? What if it were my home that was going to be bulldozed ?

Over the past four years, the village council has had something of a balance -- where two very active, articulate commissioners held the mayor's pro-business inclinations in check -- and if it were possible -- I wish that situation would last forever: keeping the same mayor together with the same adversaries in office.

But this cannot be -- since both of the adversaries ran for mayor -- one was eliminated in a primary election last month -- and the other will face him in the upcoming election in two weeks -- while I'm doubting that any the current candidates for commissioner would be able to fill their shoes.

*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

So my decision for mayor -- is the incumbent mayor's opponent, Terry Steinbach

****************************************************************************************************

Regarding commissioner, I think my job is to find who will provide the most effective balance to the incumbent -- who I'm guessing is likely to win (since he had more votes in the primary than both of his opponents combined)

Interestingly -- I think everyone involved realizes that many others will be thinking the same thing -- so, unlike in the last election, the Mayor is not endorsing a *team* of candidates -- even though posters for the following are usually grouped together in the same front yard:

Mike Curry; Rory Hoskins; Mark Hosty, and Anthony Lazzara.

So barring any other factors, I'd be inclined to vote for the others:

Carl Nyberg; John Plepel; Marty Tellalian; and Jerry Webster.

But there are some other factors involved that put me on the fence:

1. Jerry Webster has advocated the use of eminent domain to solve the parking problems for the business district
2. Mike Curry seems smart and feisty enough to be an effective independant voice on council
3. Rory Hoskins seems to be the best representive for the African Americans in Forest Park

So.... I may not make up my mind until I'm in the voting booth.

*****************************************************

Whoops - I almost forgot -- one more issue -- campaign finance.

It can't be that important here -- since major media purchases are not an issue for a Forest Park election -- just yard signs and mailings --- but I think that candidates who agree to limits on the contributions they'll receive deserve extra consideration -- and on this issue, I think the candidates are split along the same lines as earlier noted: the major's group -- following the mayor's lead -- will not limit themselves -- while the others will.

Introduction

2007-04-02T07:24:00.000-07:00

The terrible (wonderful ?) thing about democracy is that people get to (should ?) vote whether they know much about the candidates and issues or not.

This blog is attempt to record my thoughts, such as they are, regarding the choices presented to me at every level of government : village-township-county-state-national.

(Forest Park -- Proviso township -- Cook County -- State of Illinois -- United States of America)

I'm hardly well versed in any of these areas --

--- but I will do my best (within the limited time allotted to this project) to identify the issues relevant to a good decision - and reward my vote accordingly to the candidate who best seems to address them.

Input from those more knowledgeable than I is always welcome -- but I do not wish to hear from those who remain anonymous.