A reader writes in with the following question:"Now that Ald. Shiller has decided not to run for re-election, who are her die-hard supporters, i.e. COPWATCH, her office workers, and JPUSA, throwing their support behind? I think that knowing this info will affect my vote in February for sure! Any ideas?"
I'm hoping she'll change her mind and run.
ReplyDeleteThat would be fun.
I personally have little idea who her supporters support with their support, while wearing supportive buttons and support underwear.
My guess would be ponytail Ward Superintendent Man. We'll know after round one.
Just watch where the numbers are in the JPUSA precinct. That will be an indication.
Even the worst of the candidates would be better than St. Helen of Uptown and I'm not sure who the worst of the litter is. With 8 planning to run it's difficult to know.
Just wait until January 20th when the campaigns file their finance reports. She where the consultants off Shiller's old reports have landed when those come out. From the rumors I've heard some of them might even land on campaigns outside of Uptown.
ReplyDeleteWhich tells me even her old pros have no idea who is going to win this one with 7 or 8 in the field.
It's 120 days and change away, I can wait until we're down to 20 or 30 to figure this out, but I'm patient that way.
Not sure if she'll be supporting any candidate, but she is pulling for (1)the Wilson Avenue Red Line Stop to formally be designated as open-air public restroom, and (2) the Magnolia-Wilson mall to be designated as a prosecution-free drug sales corner. Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteI''ll kill the suspense here, it is Don.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good question.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is it won't be decided by any of the Uptown Update "Diehards".
There were in the last election almost 4 years ago more than 5900 votes cast for Helen Shiller.
Thats a lotta voters dontcha think?
The people who voted for Shiller, including myself, did so for many reasons, a number of which are given little or no attention from the blog-o-sphere/echo-chamber of like-minded people.
Q- Who are they these Shiller voters?
A- They are your neighbors.
We still live here and have real names with real opinions....and we vote!
If any candidates would like to meet some voters off of the "blog-grid" drop me a line.
Note: "blog-grid" is a word purely of my own invention and you are all free to use it in an ethical manner.
Jason,
ReplyDeleteKarl Marx lived in Germany in the 19th century. I am not a Marxist, Leninist or a Sarah Palinist for that matter. Labels are for simple-minded people who need life abbreviated for them into digest-able pieces. Are you Jason yourself concerned in any tangible way for the education and well being of low-income people?
Or do you feel all of the low-income residents of Chicago should be concentrated on the south or west sides, anywhere but here kinda-sorta-thing?
Are any of the Uptown Update folks here familiar with the term "incestuous amplification"? Hint: its not about sex or audio.
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteYou may want to reconsider your usage of incestuous amplification. I assume you understand the meaning, but do not fully grasp the concept. The same argument could be utilized for yourself as you represent the majority "group" that shares a vastly different opinion from another polarized fraction on the same spectrum with neither being correct or a suitable choice to better society.
My opinions are mine alone, I am not speaking for a majority "group", even if some agree or disagree. Perhaps "Eric" why should you or me even assume that anyone who voted for Alderman Shiller (5900 people) to be of a singular "group", such a boring world that would be. Life is more subtle and dynamic in my view.. Your comment is yet another over-simplification perfectly within your rights. Incestuous amplification can happen in any group of 3 or more people in the same "space". Uptown Update is a blog, a space in this regard would you agree? I don't mean that as a criticism, pseudonyms and funny nicknames aside I assume your all real people, this blog being a virtual forum, a space. Better to just ignore my questions for its simpler....I guess. Feel free, politicians ignore questions all the time, its merely an opportunity to say whatever ya want....no?
ReplyDeleteJason's right - they're supporting Don.
ReplyDeleteTry having a conversation with Don - you'll see he sounds exactly like Shiller.
Shiller-speak = Nowotny-speak.
Let's review:
ReplyDeleteTom Sharp
Karen Baining
Charollte Newfe
ALL long time Shilleristas
Who are they endorsing this time??
Don!
Jeff,
ReplyDeleteWhat were those issues? What happened to them? Where would you meet outside the blog-sphere?
Your neighbor,
Rob
The 46th race will probably be like the mayoral race -- with a wide open race, a runoff is guaranteed. There are 3 other candidates, in additon to Michale, James, Molly & Don. At least 2 sound like they are carrying the pro-low income agenda. If they can make it past the challenges, they will draw those "traditional" Shiller votes.
ReplyDeleteMore likely, you'll see an "anti" campaign against Cappleman and Phelan. (A parallel version of the "What the Helen" videos, but less hi-tech/"professional")
Who the pro-Shille rpeople will vote for will be the one who has ignored them the least. Have any of the candidates had ANY positive contact with the residents of 4640, Twin Towers, 920 Lakeside, REST shelter, etc.? How aout the low cost rental units (such as the ones next to the mall at Magnolia & Wilson)?
There have been 4 million hits to UptownUpdate. Of all those readers, do any of them talk to residents at the above buildings? Have they said anything?
The real question is -- why is Molly Phelan running against James Cappleman?
Very interesting discussion.
ReplyDeleteI like that term
incestuous amplification.
Btw
I called 911 yesterday on an impromptu dice game
at kenmore and argyle being thrown with much gusto by two thugs.
It wouldve made dave chappelle proud. It was around 530pm.
I dont live there, but hey
dice games dont belong here.
Earlier I saw a bunch of shady guys at kenmore and argyle.
I guess is the new banger hangout.
There is graffiti on the corner as well. Just called it in to 311, its @ 1027 W Argyle.
Ive seen that the guys like to sit there alot too.
Kenmore I see is a haven for neredowells.
Argyle is improving slowly, the burned out shell of a building by the el on the north side of argyle is coming along nicely.
I guess some people see grassroots actually i give a crap about something as "incestuous amplification".
ReplyDeleteWell heres hoping that the "nutsos" here at the "blog-grid" uptown update
do make a decisive impact on the upcoming election, it would be refreshing instead of business as usual.
I wont say I am not a marxist because the notion is silly. Defending against intellectually lazy avatars is like arguing with a hand-puppet. Silly, silly,silly.
ReplyDeleteI would guess anyone who doesn't bash Shiller is going to be called something unpleasant.
If this is only a page to bash Shiller, vent about people you don't like than kindly do so in a humorous fashion, as an example I would say the Irish Pirate is funny, even if he or she probably has other pseudonyms (Eric).
Speaking of which, what are you or who are you so afraid of that you can't use your real name on Uptown Update?
Where does the fear come from? I am not afraid to use my name among my neighbors and maybe the loose freak here and there, walking home after dark is more dangerous.
My prediction for the Alderman race is this: the one that connects with the largest number of people in person and steps around this anti-Shiller dogpile will win hands-down. And by far the most voters are outside the aforementioned pile.
Over 5900 votes for the consensus nemesis is a fact, check it, not an opinion of mine.
Grass-roots will win the day, this is a hyper-local election, not a referendum on issues that belong in the state, federal and global level, that is why political parties and the like are almost meaningless in this election.
To Rob Ross,
All of the issues that were here are right were they've always been.
Among us.
I can arrange for any candidate to meet with a group of undecided voters right here in my building, in the lobby. All it takes is an email and that is easy enough for starters.
Uptown is Home!
Uptown Update "Diehards".
ReplyDeleteLabels are for simple-minded people who need life abbreviated for them into digest-able pieces.
Your comment is yet another over-simplification
-----
Vote tally for 2007 46th Ward Aldermanic election:
Total: 11274
Helen Shiller: 5987
James Cappleman: 5287
5200 is a lotta voters, too.
I'm sure if internal poling indicated the possibility of matching/exceeding the tally in '07, we'd have an incumbent in this race.
Appears as though some of those 5900+ like-minded folks have had a change of heart.
------
Are you ... yourself concerned in any tangible way for the education and well being of low-income people?
In a valid society, all members should be mindful of the conditions of the members of that society and act accordingly to eliminate disparities which adversely affect the stability of that society.
However, to be mindful of those members in need at the expense of the needs of those not in need is tantamount to bigorty - or, at least prejudice, and certainly works against the concept of a comprehensive and cohesive society.
No one here has ever said that they weren't concerned with the well-being and education of the low-income. Only that what is being done to address those concerns isn't nearly as effect as it could be.
Nor, were those strategies being enacted via open/transparent processes.
Your assumption as to the motivation of jason's comments lacks supporting evidence.
Or do you feel all of the low-income residents of Chicago should be concentrated on the south or west sides, anywhere but here kinda-sorta-thing?
I'm not sure how you were able to extrapolate that thought from jason's comment:
I could just never support anybody who believes in a system that keeps people poor and uneducated.
What I believe he's saying is not that the low-income residents should be pushed out and/or concentrated into certain areas - quite the contrary; but that the system needs to be adjusted so that it is more effective than the status quo.
-----
BTW - "incestuous amplification" doesn't simply affect those who interact on this blog.
5900 > 3
------
I do like your paintings, by the way. Very well done.
Good points Yo.
ReplyDeleteHowever I do believe strongly that incestuous amplification is happening here on UU at least regarding Shiller, not other issues like resturants, etc.. Jason in his comments was way too brief to extrapolate very much at all, just this is America, if your a marxist, etc.
Thank you for your compliments regarding my art work.
Can we at least agree to some degree the voters of this 46th ward do not fall into two neat categories.
I live in the Malden Arms and there is no broad consensus here and this is only one building.
Life is more complicated than labels.
All of the candidates have an open door to meet here and elsewhere to discuss their vision for Uptown, listen to concerns and meet people, not a bad deal at all.
Not to get off subject but has anyone else noticed we don't have many artist or artisans engaged in the Uptown community. Most neighborhoods when gentrifying go through an early phase of artists moving in, the successful staying on, but it never happened here. I think to some degree it would explain the sorry condition of our business district(s). I think Uptown can be a nexus of the arts in Chicago if the next Alderman pushes thru some creative initiatives, artists respond well to creativity. With that said plenty of artists do actually live here.
An open question for us all:
Could the arts improve the quality of life for all of Uptown residents and small business?
If so in what way?
If we need artists to invest, create and sell here what do we have to offer artists in return?
I have my own answers but this isn't all about me, so I ask.
Cheers and Uptown is Home!
@Yo--polling done >6 months before election day is, at best, a temperature, a baseline measure. But a reason to drop out of a race and retire? I don't believe that would persuade Helen. The budget, the melee that is about to become the City Council, and 20+ years on the job were more likely causes.
ReplyDeleteThere is very little about the last race that exports forward to this one so I'm skeptical about the "change-of-heart" voter migration. James is savvy enough to know this and that he is not starting with 5,200 votes. He is not running against Helen and her retirement effectively hit the "reset" button. Plus, there are seven+ other candidates running, some number of which are running against him. It's a little table turning that makes the add & drop votes in this race interesting, if not dizzying.
Rather than pile on Jeffrey or deconstruct his questions (and, in doing, prove his point), doesn't it make more sense to simply ask him why he voted for Helen? You don't have to agree with his reasons, but you've got to know that Helen's base was bigger than the handful of groups some UU posters point to and sometimes vilify.
So Jeffrey, would you be willing to explain why you voted for Helen last cycle? And if he does, can we all refrain from eviscerating the fellow? My bet is most of the campaigns wouldn't mind hearing what Jeffrey has to say, too.
However I do believe strongly that incestuous amplification is happening here on UU at least regarding Shiller
ReplyDeleteMaybe. Then again, what's the difference between IA and ... say ... "general consensus"?
I do see your point, don't get me wrong; but, concepts like IA are red meat to annoying, pestering, hair-splitters (like me).
Can we at least agree to some degree the voters of this 46th ward do not fall into two neat categories.
Well, duh ;)
To expand: either purposefully/rightfully or not, Shiller was a polarizing figure around these parts. So it was far too easy to draw the line in the sand between her supporters and detractors.
Thereby - making it easy to categorize people.
Now that she's waddling (heh) off into the sunset, I think/hope that the absense of such a polarizing figure will help to get people to think and act beyond that particular ideological rut.
Early examples of that might even already be in play re: how UU is more and more focusing on other topics.
It just takes some time.
Jason in his comments was way too brief to extrapolate very much at all, just this is America, if your a marxist, etc.
Sure; but you may both be guilty of a little conclussion jumping, no? Easy enough to do considering the histrionicss of the ward; but, again ... I think the impending changes in atmosphere will lead us all to be a little less prone to hyperventilation and more prone to actual discussion.
Again - I think we're already starting to see a change in overall attitudes.
Which actually kinda' makes your "off subject" questions more relevant.
To circle up on that, from your perspective, maybe it's now important not only to see how the UU folk think about arts and the like, but also how the more well known Shiller supporters think about the same. And, how might they suggest pushing that forward.
Everyones' answers promise to be telling, wouldn't you think?
polling done >6 months before election day is, at best, a temperature, a baseline measure.
ReplyDeleteOf course; but, I don't need a thermometer to know when I have a fever.
The thermometer only makes it official.
I think whichever reason any one wants to float about Helen sizing up her golden parachute are as valid or invalid as any other since no one actually knows but her.
But, while it's a hard argument to prove that people have had a change of heart with her, it's an even harder argument to prove that they didn't.
And, considering that this is Chicago, whether things should or should not carry over from '07 is irrelevant - things certainly will.
That's kinda' the topic of this entire thread, no? Who are Helen's former supporters going to support?
Sounds like a carry-over-related question to me.
As for piling on Jeffrey, I'm pretty sure he took my post in the intended tenor, so I'm not gonna fret that.
Besides, he came out swingin' ;)
Nor, do I really need him to restate why he voted for Shiller.
Jeff comes across as a good conscious kinda' guy and appears to have considered Helen the candidate who best reflected his ideas/concepts/desires as to how to deal with some of the ward's social and/or more localized/municipal-level issues (correct me if I'm wrong, Jeffrey).
I knew this post would degenerate into a round of pedantic pusillanimous punditry. The appearance of Suzanne Elder along with Jeffro, JP, and Jason may signify that the four horseman will soon be on the horizon above the sign at Uptown Baptist.
ReplyDeleteSigh.
1. I am not posting here as anyone besides IrishPirate. Years ago when the buffalo roamed the plains I "created" "Irishpirate" just to remain anonymous and annoy my enemies. Now it's part of the "schtick".
2. Molly is running against the Capplemaniac because Molly wants to be alderman. No conspiracy. She has a right to run and frankly she has earned the chance through her work with Fix Wilson Yard. That being said she will be lucky to make the runoff. She has a great ballot name, can speak well, and has a band of MollyManiacs behind her. That being said Cappleman has a four year head start and better political instincts. Her work for Terry O'Brien for Cook County Board Prez was absolutely, mindboggingly stupid. That's not a mistake Cappleman made or would make.
3. The implicit idea in some of these comments are that "Shiller votes" are monolithic. They ain't. She can't decree that her voters automatically belong to ponytail garbage man or anyone else. The majority of her votes did not come from the subsidized buildings, but from the lakefront highrises. She generally won those precincts 55 to 45 and lost the western precincts by a similar margin. Name recognition, money, and the Daley endorsement helped her on the lakefront.
4. I doubt Shiller did any polling prior to deciding not to run. Her likely reason for not running was simply because she foresaw a difficult campaign where she would likely lose. It's clear that Uptown Update, FWY, the Capplenator campaign, and people filming violence just drive her nutz. Couple that with the property tax increase coming next month, various fee increases, and anti incumbent feeling and she had a difficult campaign ahead of her.
Just picture a personalized campaign flyer going out to the highrises highlighting the tax increase and the amount of TIF money spend at Wilson Yard and beyond. Are you having a Pavlovian response? I am.
5. ARRRRRRRRRGH
Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, cultivating an arts scene was not on Helen's agenda. She was all about affordable housing for the urban underclass, not bourgeois bohemian artists. Sometimes there is a very thin line between bobos and yuppies (as those from Wicker Park can attest! :)
Nevertheless, failing to embrace arts and entertainment was definitely a missed opportunity considering that Helen's penultimate legacy is now job creation a la big box. I would have loved to see something more organic and grassroots blossom here. Maybe it is not too late? I have high hopes for the Black Ensemble Theater and am happy that Annoyance is here too. Anyone else?
Can we at least agree to some degree the voters of this 46th ward do not fall into two neat categories.
ReplyDeleteWell, duh ;)
To expand: either purposefully/rightfully or not, Shiller was a polarizing figure around these parts. So it was far too easy to draw the line in the sand between her supporters and detractors.
And so if someone showed the slightest sympathy here, and previously in message boards, they were attacked by verbal pirhanas. No one came to their defense.
That shut down any moderates who had a differing opinion
Blaming Shiller for that is as "silly" as the left blaming the rich for the actions of criminal teens. People have chosen to be jerks and/or create videos and websites (i.e. What The Helen). And anti-Shiller leaders have not spoken up about such extremism.
Christians are held acocuntable for actions of people like Fred Phelps (who is violating Scripture with his actions, despite claims of following it).
Helen Shiller is held acocuntable for the actions of the poor (i..e it's "her" people causing the problems). Has Helen Shiller EVER said that gang banging & drug dealing were legitimate activities?
James & Molly may not advocate extreme blog comments, but their silence speaks as much as Shiller's perceived slience on crime was to her.
Sandra Reed squaked a win in the 1999 "primary" becuase she had support from people living at 4640, the Habitat for Humanity homes, and WIlson Care. She had relationships with such people, so that they voted outside of who they were supposed to vote for. Those people were still concerned about issue slike affordable housing, help for the poor, etc. But their support came from Sandra Reed being their friend, which trumped the political stereotype.
But if those people were to speak on these blogs, they would have been pegged as "Shileristas" and dismissed.
Again, i pose the questions to all of Uptown Update's readership: do you know of anyone living in the high rises, low rises, mental institutions? What do they say?
JP,
ReplyDeleteone of your typos makes me chuckle. More like a guffaw. Perhaps a chortle followed by my tummy shaking unconTROLLably.
Snicker.
Now Jeffro may be annoying, but at least he does live in Uptown and has a long history here. You were here for a short time and argggh long gone.
Please see my comment here as to why JP should be largely ignored. Look about ten comment down. JP is not worth a hyperlink.
http://www.uptownupdate.com/2008/08/tribune-letter-to-editor-time-for.html
Anyway, Jeffro seems to be replacing JP very well and actually makes slightly more sense. Slightly.
It's really for JP's own good and for that of his wife and child. There is a reason she made him leave Uptown and "mania" may be part of that reason. Ignore him and let him save souls elsewhere.
@Yo--Funny, I mistook your comment and thought you meant the change of heart votes went the other way ;-) Fwiw, Jeffrey didn't say why he voted for Helen. Just that he did. I agree, Jeffrey sounds like a good, conscientious guy. Helen's supporters are not typically described that way on UU, which is why I thought his reasons for voting for her might give occasion to a different sort of conversation.
ReplyDelete@JP—Senator Steans recently conducted a poll. Voters were asked what her top legislative priorities should be for the next session. Crime is a top ranking concern among posters on this blog but it ranked fourth on her survey. Granted, the district may not be representative of the ward, but it’s pretty significant that the top spot garnered 5x more support than crime concerns. From Sen. Stean’s email:
49.5% Job development/ Economic Growth
22.7% Education
13.2% Ethics Reform
9.8% Crime Prevention
4.7% Environmental Protections
@Pirate--Disparaging me and others from the cheap seats of anonymity again? Stand up. Being identifiable and accountable isn’t just for the politicians and candidates you like to crack wise about.
I so can't wait for the election to be over and Shiller to be out of office, just so we don't have to hear JP Paulus pontificate from the South Side and think he has any clue whatsoever about what's happening in Uptown since the turn of the millennium.
ReplyDelete"Disparaging me and others from the cheap seats of anonymity again?"
Red herring, anyone? Turn it from talking about who the Shilleristas will be voting for to scolding someone for commenting anonymously? How about for not wearing purple yesterday? How about for shopping at Walmart? Hey, how 'bout Cutler's interceptions? And what about the Cubs hiring Quade and leaving Sandberg to twist in the wind?
Makes about as much sense as taking someone to task for being anonymous on a blog that encourages such. Guess your porches and garages must be in really good shape and up to code, Suzanne.
Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteYes I do care about the education of the poor. That is the only way they can climb out of poverty. Teaching them that the government will take of their problems and take care of them is not the way to go. That becomes engrained in people for generations.
Further, if Helen Shiller does care so much about the poor being educated, she has completely failed. Have you seen the results from Uplift? I guarantee I have taught more dirt poor students to read and be inspired to get the most out of education than Helen ever hoped to. I didn't have any fancy Child-Development degree, and was fortunate enough to not have to deal with the politics involved in CPS.
I taught my kids one thing: "The reason you are having reading class out here in the hallway is because your teachers think you are too dumb to be with the smart kids. We are going to prove them wrong, and it is YOUR responsibility to do so, not mine." (Many of them spoke English as a second language and learning to read in English was not a priority at home.)
(Of course, I spent an hour the next day in the principal's office getting the, "Who do you think you are! I have a doctorate degree in such and such..blah blah blah" lecture from the principal.)
I didn't care. I was taking over from some idiot union teacher who thought it was too hard (not all union teachers are idiots) and I was leaving at the end of the semester to go to law school.
There was no coddling in my class, and no mocking for mistakes.
After they tested between 80 and 90 percent at the end in reading I just laughed.
And I do use my own name, but there a couple Jasons on here.
Yo, I agree with about 80% or so of what you said.
I personally like Helen Shiller. Believe it or not, I have stood up for her and her staff on this blog when the posts just get crazy stupid. I even like the fish farm idea though the devil is in the details.
The bottom line is we have kids in the hood running around, selling drugs, acting like thugs, littering like crazy, etc.
Jeffrey, on a final note, how many times have you gone down to Stockton on Magnolia (Billy Broncho Park, I think it is called) and shot hoops with these idiots to talk to them and try to help out?
I do it whenever I can. And I am not running for office. Just be careful who you judge.
(Not that you would know anyway, it is only a blog.)
Okay, end of blog rant... IP where can I find some hookers? Did you just compare me to one of the four horseman?" Wow.
(There, ok, cue the "in the last episode" scene, hahaha.)
ReplyDeleteI didn't care. I was taking over from some idiot union teacher who thought it was too hard (not all union teachers are idiots) and I was leaving at the end of the semester to go to law school.
There was no coddling in my class, and no mocking for mistakes.
After they tested between 80 and 90 percent at the end in reading I just laughed.
And I do use my own name, but there a couple Jasons on here.
Yo, I agree with about 80% or so of what you said.
I personally like Helen Shiller. Believe it or not, I have stood up for her and her staff on this blog when the posts just get crazy stupid. I even like the fish farm idea though the devil is in the details.
The bottom line is we have kids in the hood running around, selling drugs, acting like thugs, littering like crazy, etc.
Jeffrey, on a final note, how many times have you gone down to Stockton on Magnolia (Billy Broncho Park, I think it is called) and shot hoops with these idiots to talk to them and try to help out?
I do it whenever I can. And I am not running for office. Just be careful who you judge.
(Not that you would know anyway, it is only a blog.)
Okay, end of blog rant... IP where can I find some hookers? Did you just compare me to one of the four horseman?" Wow.
OK, maybe I shouldn't have called you a marxist. I've been spending to much time watching Keith Olberman / Rachel Maddow vs. O' Reilly / Hannity and getting pissed off at all of them for being idiots.
ReplyDeleteHoly Smokes!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback everybody...muy interestante.
I really do appreciate these comments, even being called annoying by a middle-aged pirate is kinda cool.
I like Jeffro!
I will be glad to explain my vote 4 years ago for Shiller, not today and not here, maybe later but honestly to what end?. Too many attacks on peoples character, why so puerile?
Thank you Suzanne, I hope to share the reasons I voted for Helen Shiller another time, in a non-avatar venue.
Thank you Jason for clearing the air, no problem, I was wrong to suggest by my question that you don't care. Teachers deserve respect, plain and simple.
@yo- There is a BIG difference between IA and general consensus, glad you liked the art. I like your style and good points.
I see the origanal post asked about the "hardcore" Shiller supporters, I am not hardcore for anyone, so perhaps not qualified to enlighten everyone on this.
Why does it matter, a year from now a new Alderman will be settled in and we will still be neighbors........
Uptown is Home!
Cheers,
Jeffrey Littleton
P.S. I am dedicating a little drawing to all of my fellow concerned neighbors, posting it on UU facebook.
Suzanne,
ReplyDeleteI also cracked wise about you. Although, considering how simple that is too accomplish I really should show less pride in doing it.
Let's see. I got a rise out of Suzanne and Jason. If JP and Jeffro take the bait my day will be complete.
If there is an annoying pedantic discussion going on somewhere with an overabundance of useless quasi-academic jargon expect Suzanne to appear.
I early voted over at Welles Park when I was trolling for daytime hookers the other day. The only thing I regret about that, except for the dearth of daytime hookers, was that Suzanne's name wasn't on my ballot. I ended up voting for whatever joke of a GOP'er was running against Heather Steans. If you find an early ballot from Welles Park where the votes were all Democratic for Governor and Senate and then all over the place for other races then you will know my identity.
I voted Green, Dem, GOP, Libertarian and even independent for Claypool. I'm kwazy that way.
Thankfully, the time I voted for Suzanne, she was overwhelmed by the family Steans and the 48th Ward regulars.
I also find your desire to speak to or meet people from here amusing. Perhaps you can sit down with the other horsemen and try to discuss my identity.
Now can we have a real thread about something useful like good pizza options in Uptown? Give me some fried chicken, chop suey, pizza and a barrel of Guinness and I will die a happy or hapless man.
IP..there IS a thread about Chicago Pizza (Gigio's was featured on Chicgao's Best)...love to hear yor input on Uptown Pizza & BBQ. We both agree on Jake's for Fried Chicken, and the need to NOT vote a straight party line. Let's see who's right after election time. in '07, you predicted James would have ~7000 votes. i am confident my guesses won't be any worse than yours.
ReplyDeleteJeffrey,
if you have any other friends who might have voted for Shiller...i encourage you to invite them, but at least for their first dozen posts, not share their election picks.
Jason, there ar eplenty of Uptown kids who have done well in school, graduated college in fact. But they have basicallly been ignored by the anti-Shiller crowd. Some of those graduates such as my wife, were mentored by people who may have voted for Shiller, though not Shilleristas. They simply didn't think "the other guy" would do anything to help the youth and their families. Shiller hasn;t done much, but people vote for "false hope" over "no hope" every time.
I am very sorry to let you down,
ReplyDeletemy sea-faring,
Celtic Clown...
When others arg up,
it is ye to bring 'em down,
Our most eclectic,
Sea-faring,
Celtic Clown.
"A poem by Uptown's very own....yours truly.
Maybe I should stick to painting and drawing.
JP,
ReplyDeleteI also know many uptown kids who did well, I went to law school with a couple. What is your point? Sounds like they took responsibility for their education and succeeded. They didn't wait for somebody to hand it to them. Thanks for making my point.
Jeffrey,
ReplyDeleteRegarding the artist comment. When I first moved to Uptown, I attended one of the town hall meetings at Truman College regarding Wilson Yard when it was still in the decision/making phase.
This was early on in the game, when Shiller was standing by her story that Wilson Yard was going to be strictly a mixed income community, with market-rate rentals that would be supported by attached retailers/restaurants, with senior housing. She was fighting against the "rumors" that the building would be strictly low to no income and that priority was being given to those who were being displaced by the destruction of the former housing projects.
There were groups of people on all sides who brought their concerns to the table. Among them where homeowners who were concerned about their property values if such a large structure in the center of town were to become a massive section 8 housing building in an already over-saturated market, there were seniors concerned that they wouldn't be getting their housing because they "heard" that the homeowners didn't want them to get it (wonder where they heard that from?) and then there was another community....
I can't remember what they called themselves, but they represented a group that wanted to ensure that the housing at Wilson Yard would indeed be mixed so that an artist community could be formed. I do remember them being a bit aggressive but more importantly, I remember they got completely shut down and not given an opportunity to speak because they were drowned out by the seniors/low-income housing groups that attended. Prior to that meeting they had been aggressively campaigning, pasting neon fliers all over town asking for support, etc. Perhaps someone remembers who they were?
It was quite the heated exchange and I remember being stunned that this was the community I was choosing to live in, where people won't even allow each other an opportunity to speak at a public forum. Actually, it was much like a political rally.
We all know what ended up happening with Shiller's promise of WY being mixed income. Someone took video of this meeting, so for those who claim she never promised mixed income, there is proof otherwise, both out of her mouth and in the early documentation of the plans for WY.
My reason why I have an issue with Shiller is that she openly stated that crime "isn't her issue" when people are getting murdered on the streets and she has zero comment and takes zero action. There is no excuse for that.
As far as how many votes Shiller received in 2007, I remember someone posting a picture of a flyer that was being distributed by her supporters to all of the low-income housing, Section 8, SROs, etc. that said something to the effect of "Be sure to vote for Shiller so she can stop the the NIMBYs who want to convert your building into condos" Not the exact words...but something like that. I imagine it was very effective. The whole "us vs. them" mentality was started a looooong time ago, and some politicians have used it for their own gains quite well for a long time.
Thirtywhatever - UNC (Uptown Neighborhood Council) was the group that supported the artist housing and held rallies and made signs to that effect. That was back in 2004, I believe. Their heart was in the right place, but Shiller already had her plans in motion and wouldn't budge. She knew from the very beginning what WY would be. The only reason why she made it a TIF was so she could have low income housing built.
ReplyDeleteJason, i did NOT prove your point.
ReplyDeleteThe youth i spoke of received mentoring and scholarships to help them not justget in, but finish college.
They had people who helped pour into their lives to help them be the people they were meant to be.
However, those people were from Uptown Baptist Church, but not part of the anti-Shiller movement.
Also, people who live in the Habitat for Humanity Homes were NOT "given" their homes -- they earned them. The anti-Shiller movement has only given lip service (i.e. posting on websites that they approve of CPAN), but not taken any time to organize seminars or mentoring to help people in low income get to those homes. With the resources out there, it just takes the same amount of effort (or maybe less) for $50,000 lawsuits to HOST such seminars.
Just as advocates of CAPS expect (ad feel disappointed in) those in low income housing to be a part of the activity, the same way LAW-ABIDING people in those residences expect SOME kind of leadership for their families (whether tutoring, affordable home OWNERSHIP, etc.)as well.
By ignoring the needs and desires of that population, the anti-Shiller movement lost votes over the years.
When comments such as "Cabrini North" are perpetuated and uncorrected by anti-Shiller leaders (when the relaity is Wilson Yards are SMALLER than 4640 & 4645 N Sheridan Road), people remember those things.
As Irish Pirate points out,t here are SEVERAL groups & types of people that have supported Shiller. Some of them, however, haven't so much voted FOR Shiller as they have given a "forget you" vote to their opponent.
Miss Kitty, there was a parallel movement with the Godlblatt's property. In that cased, an alternative to condos was being proposed. That too was last minute. Despite the "creative" ideas, it was also rejected, as there was no commuity movement for long before the situation.
ReplyDeleteThere was never a real strong effort for Artist residences before, so the idea seemd like a made-up idea as a desperate alternative to something some people didn't like.