Two Ald. Berny Stone Political Workers Guilty Of Ballot Tampering

June 24, 2010 - Chicago - Two former 50th Ward campaign workers were found guilty of "multiple Class A misdemeanor counts of attempted mutilation of voting materials and attempted absentee ballot violations" today. The charges came from violations committed during the the hotly contested 2007 aldermanic race between Stone, Greg Brewer, Naisy Dolar and Salman Aftab in West Ridge/East Rogers Park.

"A Cook County judge handed down guilty verdicts in the bench trial of two political workers for Ald. Berny Stone on charges that they had allegedly tampered with absentee ballots stemming from the 2007 aldermanic race in the 50th Ward," reports Lake Effect News (LEN) this afternoon.

On November 9, 2009 Chicago Breaking News reported that "Prosecutors said Anish Eapen, a precinct captain for Ald. Bernard Stone, 50th, and the ward's Streets and Sanitation superintendent, flashed his work badge and made it clear to voters that they could benefit if they chose his candidate."

According to LEN, "Anish Eapen, the former ward Streets and Sanitation superintendent, and Armando Ramos, a paid campaign worker for Stone’s political campaign committee, were both found guilty of multiple Class A misdemeanor counts of attempted mutilation of voting materials and attempted absentee ballot violations, " and "Both men were facing more serious felony charges that they had engineered absentee ballots of mostly immigrant voters in the 50th Ward favoring Stone. Stone was not charged with any wrongdoing. Eapen and Ramos face up to one year of jail time, two years of probation, fines or a combination of all three." More at Lake Effect News...

An earlier report by LEN said that Salman Aftab (photo) triggered the 50th Ward vote fraud investigation that led to today's verdicts against Eapen and Ramos. Aftab waged a very bitter campaign against Stone, which included personal attacks. Aftab lost in the February 27 general election, but on March 27, 2007 he gleefully announced his support for Alderman Stone in the pending April 17 run-off against Naisy Dolar. Aftab, who took only 5.2% of the ward's vote in February, said, "My community insisted that I endorse Ald. Stone and I'm doing what my community says," Aftab said. By "my community," Aftab was referring to the large Indian and Pakistani community of West Ridge. (Source: Chicago Tribune/Clout Street)

Stone won the April 2007 aldermanic run-off election with 52.93% 5,965 votes (52.93%). Challenger Naisy Dolar received 5,304 votes (47.07%). Source: AlderTrack

Aftab triggering that vote fraud investigation against two of Stone's political workers. Although it's a good thing that fraud was brought to the attention of the authorities.

Aftab was an early supporter of Barack Obama and of Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL9). He was an acquaintance of Salman Ibrahim, former head of Sunrise Equities, the Chicago sharia finance company that defrauded many dozens of investors in 2008. (There is no reason to believe that Aftab was connected in any way to the Sunrise Equities scandal.) Sunrise Equities gave Obama office space for his 2004 U.S. Senate campaign. There was a private ribbon cutting ceremony for that office space, and you can see Aftab in the photos of that event. Alderman Berny Stone was also present at the ceremony. You can see the photos here and here.

RELATED:
Naisy calls Berny out for his "Friends in low places" Dolar campaign video
Jan Schakowsky endorses Naisy Dolar on 4.4.07 Dolar campaign video
Obama Connected To Sunrise Equities Scandal, Part One" CNB
Obama's Connections to Sunrise Equities, Part Two CNB

Trial Date Set for Ald. Stone Campaign Workers

Lorraine Swanson has been following the felony cases of two men who worked for Chicago Alderman Berny Stone (50th Ward). Both men face numerous counts of felony vote fraud, which they allegedly committed during the 2007 aldermanic election. Swanson filed this today at her Lake Effect News site: Former Ward Streets and Sanitation Superintendent Anish Eapen and campaign worker Armando Ramos have been scheduled for a two-day bench trial on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10 in the Cook County Criminal Court building at 26th and California before Judge Marcus Salone .... Charges were filed in January 2008 after the completion of a joint investigation by the Cook County State’s Attorney’s and Chicago Inspector General’s offices. FULL STORY... Stone, born circa 1749, has been Chicago's Vice Mayor since 1837, one year after the city was incorporated. Prior to getting into politics, he worked as a snake oil salesman, selling miracle potions in the American colonies of New England from a two-horse carriage. After the United States won its independence from England, Stone traveled west on foot, surviving on a diet of squirrels and rhubarb until he arrived at a swampy area, now the site of modern day Chicago. He built a small log cabin near the future site of N. Western and W. Devon, and immediately gerrymandered the swampy land. After Chicago became an incorporated city, Stone was given squatter's rights to the area now known as the 50th Ward, and was additionally granted the title and privileges of Lifelong Divine Ruler of the Land of West Ridge. Conservative Caps, Shirt and more! Leave a Comment - Chicago News Bench RSS Feed Visit us on Twitter!

The Fat Lady's Encore

It was just a few weeks ago that an overly cocky Alderman Joe Moore (Chicago, 49th Ward) said that the "fat lady has not only sung, she's left the stage." He was referring to the recently sidetracked - if not derailed - challenge from challenger Don Gordon.

Gordon lost to Moore in the April 17 runoff election by less than 260 votes. Gordon challenged the validity of hundreds of Moore's votes. Bloggers had pictures of Moore breaking election laws. Dozens upon dozens of witnesses have stories of the same. Then, mysteriousy, the judge in the Gordon challenge did a fast lane switch and roared down an exit ramp.

So Moore made light of the expression, "It ain't over til the fat lady sings." She may have left the stage, but it seems she might respond to powerful request for an encore.

The Chicago Tribune reported today that there is a city-wide investigation into recent aldermanic voting. According to the Trib:

Ald. Bernard Stone (50th) said Tuesday that the city's inspector general isinvestigating absentee ballots cast in the election earlier this year that returned him to the City Council for a 10th term in a probe that Stone contended "is occurring all over the city of Chicago.

"All over?" Bernie Stone, a well connected man, says so. Don Gordon has been smiling a lot lately. I mean, a lot. Now, perhaps, we know why.

The Trib continued with more of Bernie Stone: "Some of you aldermen had better be advised that [Inspector General David Hoffman] is going all over different wards in this city issuing subpoenas to various people in this city," Stone said at a meeting of the council's Budget Committee. "I didn't know whether he had authority to do that, but he's doing it."

Hoffman (photo, above left) has a reputation as a reformer and a watchdog. He was appointed as the city's Inspector General on October 25, 2005, less than two years ago. An August 5, 2007 article in the Sun-Times noted that "Two years ago, Mayor Daley asked a former federal prosecutor who specialized in hunting down street gangs to root out City Hall corruption from within."

Sing, fat lady, sing.

READ MORE about City of Chicago Inspector General David Hoffman

City sets up 800 line for informants...

City Council To Consider A City Hiring Watchdog

City starts inquiry of absentee ballots

Daley's new hiring office moves ahead

THE FAT LADY AIN'T SUNG YET

The 49th Ward Could Make History with Chicago’s First Successfully Contested Aldermanic Election. New web site offers updates, info and documents related to Chicago's 49th Ward historic aldermanic challenge - IT AIN'T OVER YET. Don Gordon's legal challenge to Joe Moore's victory in April goes to court. VOTER49 is a web site to watch for developments. RPB has added a link to the side panel of this blog site. On June 22, 2007 Chicago voters will witness a potentially historic decision when a judge rules on the first fully contested and investigated Chicago aldermanic election. Americans are all too familiar with polling place problems, both intended and unintended. Many still believe fraud and flaws in our 2000 and 2004 presidential elections gave victory to the wrong candidate. We should have zero tolerance for this, and for a system that perpetuates errors and breeds contempt for voters. Read more...

Gordon Team Responds to RPB Info Request

Sincere thanks to Michael Harrington for the PDF with Gordon versus Moore legal info. Now, at last, the 49th Ward has a faint glimpse through a dusty window into the Gordon legal activities. Seems it took a post on RPB at 2:15 this afternoon (Don Gordon Not Talking) to finally get some info out to the public. Mr. Harrington responded at 6:00 p.m. by sending a PDF to me and fellow bloggers Craig Gernhardt and Toni Duncan. It is reproduced below. Let's hope the Gordon Team continues to update us as changes occur. His supporters - and yes, Mr. Moore's supporters - all deserve to know what is happening in this case. Saturday, May 19, 2007 Gordon et al versus Moore Update Lawsuit Status Report on Gordon et al versus Moore et al Court and Legal Actions and Detail/Explanation May 29, 2007 Next court hearing date May 15, 2007 Plaintiffs Gordon et al: 1. Filed subpoena asking for information from the Chicago Board of Elections 2. Filed Freedom of Information Act request for information from the Chicago Board of Elections 3. Filed Substitution of Judge motion. Case subsequently assigned to Judge Nathaniel House Defendant Chicago Board of Elections - Filed a motion to dismiss the law suit May 3, 2007 - U. S. Judge Honorable Wayne R. Andersen - Federal Court judge rules in favor of Gordon et al and sends case back to state court.This judicial ruling orders that the case be remanded back to the Cook County Circuit court. The case will be heard in circuit court on May 15. May 2, 2007 - Plaintiffs Gordon et al - Filed federal court motion to remand to state court.Plaintiffs motion to remand is a request to the federal judge to send the case back to the state court. May 1, 2007 - Defendant Moore - Filed motion to remove lawsuit from Cook County Circuit Court and transfer case to United States Federal Court.The initial status call for the lawsuit resulted in the entry of an order abating the matter, pending further order of the federal court.This abatement order was entered because defendant Joe Moore filed a notice of removal, which had the legal effect of transferring the case to the federal district court.The order entered on Tuesday abating the state case while still pending means that the state court case file will sit idle until an order remanding the case back to the state court is entered by the federal judge. April 23, 2007 - Gordon et al VS Joe Moore et al lawsuit assigned to a judge Cook County Circuit Court Judge assigned case. Initial status call set for Tuesday, May 1, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. April 23, 2007 - Plaintiffs Gordon et al - Filed Cook County Circuit Court lawsuit. Plaintiffs Don Gordon, Eileen Foxman, Eva McCann, and Blane Roberts file law suit to contest fraud in 49th Ward April 17 Runoff Election.

Breaking News: Joe Moore Moves for Summary Judgement

Sources tell RPB that Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward, Chicago) and his legal team tried to have the election challenge and legal complaint brought by Don Gordon dismissed this morning. Moore's team wants a summary judgement. In RPB's estimation, it is unlikely that Moore's team will win today. This story is developing...

Analyzing Joe Moore's SEIU Money

Andrew Sharp is getting paid $53,000 for consulting to Joe Moore, courtesy of the SEIU Illinois Council PAC. It's listed as an "in kind donation" for "political consulting and mailing." There is no mention, of course, of "annihilating" the Gordon camp, because by any measure Moore just squeaked by. Half the voters in the 49th Ward are questioning the veracity of the last Tuesday's election, so even that is questionable. All that money and expertise for 200 votes! In total, Moore's D2s show 89 receipts for SEIU money, totaling $155,958.01. (Do you think Joe feels like he might owe them a favor or two? Nah.) The SEIU donations were made 1999-2007. Here's how the $155,958 breaks down: SEIU Illinois Council PAC, 111 W Wacker Dr, Ste 2500, Chicago $106,324.01 All of this was donated to Moore's campaign committee in 2007. We're not sure where that extra penny came from, but apparently this union doesn't care about its members' pennies. This money could have purchased a lot of basic health care or emergency food for members in need. Will their investment in Joe Moore help the average SEIU member? How was the money used? The D2 lists it overwhelmingly for "field work," with a lot of "staff work," and "research." None of those descriptions really tell us anything. When researcher Andrew Sharp passed himself off as Seamus the Irishman last Wednesday, was that "field work" or "research," or both? There was also "live calls to voters," provided by The Clinton Group in Washington, D.C. twice for a total of $5231.63. (The D2s can be a slog to read, but the stuff you find is fascinating.) We couldn't find anything listed as "mail fraud," "bingo bribery" or "disinformation." SEIU Local 1, 111 E Wacker Dr, Ste 2500, Chicago $9,500.00 Except for $500 in 2004, all of this came to Moore in 2006 and 2007. SEIU Service Employees Illinois Council, 1165 N. Clark St., Chicago $3,884.00 All donated to Moore in December, 2006. SEIU Local 880 PAC, 1024 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117 $36,250.00 (includes $3,250 from 1999-2004) Apparently this New Orleans chapter of SEIU cares more about the 49th Ward than they do for their still-struggling neighbors in hurricane-ravaged bayou country. This money could have paid rent for a year for six to eight apartments, or a heck of a lot of canned food.

Weird Joe Moore Tales

Update: Andrew Sharp is getting paid $53,000 for consulting to Joe Moore, courtesy of the SEIU Illinois Council PAC. It's listed as an "in kind donation" for "political consulting and mailing." In total, Moore's D2s show 89 receipts totaling $155,958.01 from the SEIU. (Do you think Joe feels like he might owe them a favor or two?)

BIZARRE ENCOUNTER
WITH ANDREW SHARP
A TOP JOE MOORE ADVISOR FROM WASHINGTON D.C. IS STILL HANGING OUT IN ROGERS PARK, DAYS AFTER THE ELECTION. HE IS ACTING VERY STRANGELY. (CLICK FOR FULL STORY)

How Deep Is Your Love?

WARNING: This woman is Kathy Sprattling, former Ginderske staffer turned Joe Moore mercenarie. She may be in the company of Andrew "Seamus" Sharp, a known top gun of Joe Moore. If you must, approach with caution.

Kathy, what do you tell your daughter about ethics and self respect now that you've sold out to a man you spent months calling a "shit" and a "killer" for his association with the now infamous Jay Johnson?

If asked to, would you be willing to perjure yourself for Joe Moore? (Just asking.)

BIZARRE ENCOUNTER WITH ANDREW SHARP

CLOAK AND DAGGER ACTIVITY BY MOORE GOONS, SPECIAL REPORT

"Andrew Sharp has provided clients nationwide with general consulting and strategy to annihilate the opposition." http://www.andrewsharp.net/

“Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.” ~ Mao Tse-Tung, Chinese Communist dictator (1893 - 1976)

“Politics is war without bloodshed.” ~ Andrew Sharp, top Democrat political consultant

CHICAGO (RPB News) - Cloaks and daggers in Rogers Park. This just gets curiouser and curiouser, folks. Remember the photo of those two suits getting the VIP welcome from Joe Moore as they entered his campaign office on March 10? Some of you laughed at RPB for that, but we now know who they are. Seems RPB’s instincts were correct. They were some of Joe’s big guns, one local, one from out of state.

As I wrote yesterday, Alderman Joe Moore brought in a lot of big guns to help him retain his seat on Chicago’s City Council as alderman of the 49th Ward. Really big guns.

Last Wednesday, one of those big guns sought me out.

It was a bizarre experience for me and it was bizarre behavior by one Andrew Sharp, big gun political consultant from D.C.

I was sitting at the bar at Morseland around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, having a bite to eat and conversing with my good friend Vince. The bartender, Marcus, came to me and said that two guys sitting down the bar wanted to buy me a beer “if you’re Tom Mannis.” Well, sure, but give me a Coke instead because I’m too tired for alcohol, I told Marcus. I got the Coke pronto and continued to speak with Vince.

About 20 minutes later, one of the men came over and introduced himself. It is important to note at this point that he asked me to keep his name “off the record,” but he did tell me that he was one of the suits walking into Moore’s campaign office in the photo. I assured him that I would not reveal his name, and RPB keeps a promise. The man, whom I shall call “Bob,” chatted me up in a friendly way. Wouldn’t mind having that beer with him sometime. Bob is local guy, and is very active politically, and he said he hopes to “do business” with me “in the future” because he thinks I'm a good writer. Flattery won't get you anywhere, pal.

Thanks for the compliment, Bob, but no dice. I’d sit down over a beer with you anytime. But “do business” with you? You don’t work for a scum like Joe Moore and then expect RPB to “do business” with you, even if it’s selling lemonade. You don’t skulk around bars asking for me and then expect me to “do business” with you. You don’t associate with a scum who quotes freeking Mao Tse Tung and expect me to “do business” with you.

That is all I will reveal about Bob. RPB honors "off the record" promises. But no such promise was made for the Other Guy.
 
The other guy got no promises from RPB, and even if he had, he lied to me, so all is fair play. The other guy gave his name as “Seamus,” and said he was an Irishman living in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago. “Seamus” (SHAY-muss) affected a convincing Irish accent. But he was a fraud.

Andrew Sharp, aka "Seamus"

“Seamus” is Andrew Sharp, big gun political consultant for Joe Moore. This encounter was bizarre for several reasons:

1) The runoff election ended 27 hours before Andrew “Seamus” Sharp and Bob sought me out at Morseland.
2) Sharp, based out of Alexandria, VA just outside Washington, D.C., was seen jogging along the lakefront yesterday morning (Saturday, April 22). Why is he still in Chicago?
3) Why is Andrew Sharp posing as "Seamus" the Irishman?
4) “Bob” admitted to asking around for me. Why? To “do business” with me? To assure that I would not reveal his identity in the photo? (Is he that ashamed of his association with Moore?)
5) Did “Bob” and Sharp hope to send a subtle, indirect message to me to back off of my coverage of the Moore camp by letting me know that they know where I hang out?
6) If they are doing this to me, who else might they be skulking after?
7) Why are they skulking around Rogers Park days after the election? What are they so concerned about? Is there some kind of “damage control” that they are working on?

RPB asks you to be on the lookout, especially for Andrew Sharp. People living near either of Joe Moore’s offices – keep your cameras ready. And let us pray that Andy Sharp believes that “politics is war without bloodshed.” He's acting a bit deranged lately.

JOE MOORE'S MAGINOT LINE

“Politics is war without bloodshed while war is politics with bloodshed.” ~ Mao Tse-Tung, Chinese Communist dictator (1893 - 1976) Who are the "big guns" national-level political consultants, hacks and other outside supporters brought in to support a guy who represents a tiny two-square mile piece of Chicago? Here is a quick look at some of the "big guns" brought in to help 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore in his battle to retain his seat on Chicago's City Council. Moore is well known nationally, primarily for his activities with antiwar groups and local anti-goose liver (foie gras) legislation. Nevertheless, he is just an alderman, and that begs the question: Why so much outside money, so much outside consulting talent, and so much effort by the DNC put into play just to retain a local councilman? RPB invites you – and all readers – to share information or stories about these or other of Moore’s people. There are literally thousands of people around the nation who are members of their local city council or village board. Some of them, in Los Angeles or New York for example, have as much local sway as Moore does. No doubt some or most are more intelligent than Moore. Who are some of the big players from outside of the 49th Ward, some even from outside of Illinois, that were brought in to keep Joe Moore in place? Joe Moore is well-connected guy. He is a member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), which is headed by Howard Dean. Moore's campaign office is in a space shared with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (Democrat); Schakowsky is one of the most powerful members of Congress. Schakowsky’s “blogger” and campaign hamster Alex Armour is near the top of Moore’s food chain, although he may have recently been replaced by this guy: Andrew Sharp, big time political consultant Andrew Sharp Consulting 210 South Union St. Alexandria VA 22314 Main phone : 202-448-6198 Fax : 636-533-5300 http://www.andrewsharp.net/clients.php The Moore people keep reminding us that the election is over. So then why is secretive high-powered political consultant Andrew Sharp hanging around the hood? His usual digs are Alexandria, Virginia right outside of Washington, D.C. Maybe the high crime in Rogers Park reminds him the nation’s capital. Andy was brought in to salvage a flagging campaign. Again, big guns. Andy’s client roster includes the DNC itself, as well as a local favorite, John Stroger. He’s a high profile political strategist and tactician, yet there is virtually nothing on the web about him, which is weird. Very weird. Most guys in his position would want tons of news coverage; news searches on various search engines show NOTHING for the guy. Creepy. “Politics is war without bloodshed. For a dozen years, Andrew Sharp has provided clients nationwide with general consulting and strategy to annihilate the opposition.” Quote stolen from Mao Tse Tung, on Sharp's web site. Alex Armour Schmuck with a newly worked-in mustache and political consultant. Also a “blogger” (although we’ve seen very little evidence of it except for a couple of bad stealth blogs). This weasle was a big shot in the last Jan Schakowsky congressional campaign, yet here he is schlepping for a lox like Joe Moore. Alex Armour was ordered in to the 49th Ward by the Deaniacs at the DNC. What, you think he volunteered to work on an aldermanic campaign after tasting the big time with Schakowsky? For more on Armour, see The Alex Armour Files and Nice Work If You Can Get It. Jan Schakowsky, Congresswoman, Gal Pal, Confidant With her convicted criminal husband Robert Creamer in tow, Jan the Man has been a big cheerleader for Joe, sharing a campaign office next to an abandoned tavern by the train tracks, over by dere. Jan and Joe’s ex-wife (Moore’s divorce papers are sealed) have been best pals for over 18 years. Joe and Robert used to exchange checks back and forth frantically. Robert got caught and convicted. Joe is still not an ex-con – yet. See Joe Moore's Loans to a Criminal. Howard Dean, Chair, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Nuff said. This nutbag is more reviled amongst rank and file Democrats than George Bush is. But he controls the DNC. Lots of dots in this puzzle, and DNC is one big dot with a lot of lines connecting to it. Todd Stroger, President, Cook County Board Todd is more reviled by the average citizen of Cook County than Howard Dean is. But Andy Sharp, the DNC and the other conspirators are all pals. Todd endorsed Joe. Joe endorsed Todd. What a lovefest. SEIU (Service Employees International Union) These goons, 1.8 million strong, would back a rapid skunk if they thought it would help their agenda. (I’m curious: How many of their member are forced to pay dues to a union that supports political causes and politicians that the membership does not like?) SEIU members were seen violating electioneering rules on election day, April 17. There were a bunch of them in the ward, just as there were over a hundred other outsiders hustled in for pay to push Moore literature and generally hang around looking lost. All those outsiders, by the way, is a big fat admission by Moore that he can’t find enough support from within the community he is supposed to represent. That’s pitiful. See Polling Violations by SEIU. ACORN Criminals. Labor law violators. Racketeers. Flouters of election laws nationwide. And there are dozens of court cases to prove those charges. ACORN zombies were seen skulking around the 49th Ward’s CTA stations handing out poorly written, poorly produced crap and lies to commuters. A few examples of ACORN’s shenanigans: “In Ohio , ACORN and its affiliate Project Vote submitted registration cards that had the highest rate of errors for any voter registration group. In Colorado , two ex-ACORN employees were convicted of turning in false registrations.” (Source: http://www.rottenacorn.com/index.html) Again, outsiders. For more on ACORN, see Shelling ACORN and Judge Him By The Company He Keeps.

Voting Problems? Duh.

Like we didn't already know... For the third election in a row, officials had trouble transmitting votes electronically. Some ballots had to be driven downtown. Chicago Board of Elections officials insists their people and equipment performed 'better' than February, but there were still glitches that delayed results. Ballots from a handful of city precincts are being counted again Wednesday afternoon, double checking the accuracy of the final vote. STORY at ABC-7...

49TH WARD: YOUR HELP URGENTLY NEEDED

ROGERS PARK: YOUR HELP IS NEEDED IMMEDATELY. Since the 49th Ward runoff election on Tuesday, April 17, many Rogers Park voters have been sharing stories about alleged fraud and unethical activity at or near the polls. WE NEED YOU TO HELP IMMEDIATELY, AND WE NEED IT BEFORE TUESDAY, APRIL 24. HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP: PHOTOGRAPHS If you have a photo that you think even might show something, send it to Rogers Park Bench at rogersparkbench@yahoo.com. Hey, if you prefer, send it to another blogger (see list below). CELL PHONE PHOTOS can be directly emailed to rogersparkbench@yahoo.com YOUR VOTING EXPERIENCE Did you see any of the following: - Election Judges or Poll Watchers urging people to vote for a particular candidate. - Election Judges or Poll Watchers urging people to use the electronic voting machines if paper ballots were also available. - Campaign signs within the 100-foot demarcation line (inside the blue cones). - A Candidate talking with voters inside the polling place. - Anything similar to the above. ANYTHING ELSE! - Do not feel limited by the list above! If you have ANYTHING that made you feel uncomfortable or seemed improper, LET ME OR ANOTHER BLOGGER KNOW IMMEDIATELY: Rogers Park Bench >> send to: rogersparkbench@yahoo.com (Tom) 24/7 North of Howard Watchers (Toni) Rogers Park Neighbor (Jocelyn) Broken Heart of Rogers Park (Craig)

Hey Business Community: Welcome to Morse Avenue

There is a wonderful project happening on Morse Avenue in Rogers Park, Chicago. Construction has begun, and on Thursday the owners put up some nice signs on the front door, an improvement over the previous spray-painted address numbers. Less than 36 hours later, one of our many village idiots decided that it would be too much work to piss on a fire hydrant, so he scrawled some graffiti on a sign instead. Welcome to Morse Avenue, Mr. and Ms. Business Owner. Welcome to Rogers Park. Welcome to the Land of Moore.

Swiftboating the 49th Ward

Of note on Broken Heart today: * The 49th Ward Residents Got 'Swift Boated' All this talk of who raised what this election season was so out of hand. It became the talk of the internet. Then the whisper campaigns started. And let's not forget the secret 'pink postcard' mailers. 'Swift Boat' this, 'Swift Boat' that. This guy gave this to this guy, so that guy's got to be this guy in disguise. Confused? Sure, that's how it was planned. Talk about being 'Swift boated'. That's exactly what happened to the residents of the 49th ward. FULL ARTICLE...

Joe Moore's Math Mess

"Ald. Joe Moore (49th), the sponsor of the big-box wage ordinance, faced a difficult election. For the runoff alone, Moore received $199,324—nearly two-thirds of his contributions—from organized labor," according to the Chicago Tribune today. Joe Moore managed to whine on Tuesday night during his "victory speech" about his defeating a "well funded" Don Gordon campaign. This was not just a deliberate mispresentation, it was darkly amusing. But Moore himself accidentally admitted as much weeks earlier in one of his own campaign fliers. You know - those fliers that cost upwards of $10,000 each. Some of you may recall the one in which Moore's propagandists claimed, in a big banner headline, that a "big money Republican" (local philanthropist David Herro) gave Gordon $60,000. True enough, he did. But the accidental - and incredibly stupid - admission that Gordon's campaign was poorly funded came just after that, when the same flier said that the $60,000 accounted for "70 percent" of all of Don Gordon's campaign donations. You don't have to be a math professor to realize that Herro's $60,000 would be 70% of $85,714.00 (60,000 divided by 0.7). Keep in mind that the very Moore flier that proclaimed this cost over $10,000 to produce. "Well funded" campaign? Hardly. And Moore admitted it in that flier.

MOORE TRYING TO STEAL ELECTION

BOX OF BALLOTS GOES MISSING! CHICAGO (RPB) - April 17, 2007 - As of 9:47 p.m., it has been over an hour since the 8:25 p.m. update on the numbers (above), due in part, at least, to a MISSING BOX OF BALLOTS in the 25th Precinct of the 49th Ward. That was known as a strong precinct for Gordon, but sources say there were "only 12" votes cast for him there. DEVELOPING...

EXTRA: The "Press Conference" That Wasn't

No Reporters. No Joe Moore. Possible Tax Law Violation.

Chicago, April 12 2007 - Good News Community Kitchen, a tax-exempt organization, may have violated tax laws today by electioneering for 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore, who faces Don Gordon in the April 17 run-off. Pastor Marilyn Pagan-Banks, director of the Good News Community Kitchen, helped organize an anti-Gordon/pro-Moore event at the Heartland Cafe in the Rogers Park neighborhood. Pagan-Banks is also a part-time associate pastor with the Good News Community Church. The event was to be an anti-Don Gordon "press conference" 4:30 pm today, but it was a bust. There was nobody from the press there. About a dozen people showed up to support aldermanic candidate Joe Moore, and a similar number showed up from the Gordon camp, including Don Gordon himself. When the Gordon people arrived, the jubilant tone of the pro-Moore people became subdued, and seeing no members of the press there, the event quickly and uneventfully dissolved. Both sides handed out their literature without incident. Joe Moore was nowhere in sight. The Heartland Cafe is owned by supporters of Joe Moore. Co-owner Katy Hogan told candidate Don Gordon that the event was "not ours," and the Pagan-Banks anti-Gordon group was "just using our space." An email from "Marilyn" (below) is clearly electioneering. The phone number given in the email, 773-262-2297, is indeed the phone number of the Kitchen. The Kitchen’s fax number was also given. We phoned the number and were told that yes, the Kitchen was involved with organizing the event. Pagan-Banks, or anyone, has a right to act as an individual to organize a political event. But let us be very clear: By using the Kitchen’s telephone and fax for the event, and by inviting people to call there for information, and by admitting on the phone that the Kitchen was organizing the political event, Pagan-Banks was acting as a functionary of the Kitchen. The Kitchen is a tax-exempt organization that is NOT allowed to engage in electioneering. This is in stark contrast to what Pagan-Banks told an audience at the beginning of a candidates' debate on Sunday, January 29, 2006. She moderated the event, and strongly emphasized to the audience that the Good News Community Church would remain neutral and would not endorse any candidate. While it is the Kitchen that organized the event at the Heartland today, the event and Pagan-Banks’ behavior clearly violates the spirit of her pledge of neutrality. It also calls into question the validity of the Kitchen’s standing as a valid 501-c3 tax-exempt entity. “Northside POWER does not endorse any party or candidate,” she said. Northside POWER is a Rogers Park community organization which began in mid-2004 is organized by the Good News Community Kitchen. Both organizations are located at 7649 N Paulina Street in Chicago. Here is the text of the Pagan-Banks email, sent out this morning: Friends, There will be a press conference TODAY at 4:30 p.m. at the Heartland Cafe denouncing the hate-filled and racist blogs posted by supporters of Don Gordon and asking him to do the same. A flyer is attached. We are speaking out as those that live, work and worship in this community...not as agencies...PLEASE JOIN US. Call me or email me to let me know if you will make it. paz, amor y poder Marilyn Commited [sic] to Service, Collaboration, and Advocacy "Until All Have Plenty and No One is Left in Need" To Help, Contact Us At: Good News Community Kitchen 7649 North Paulina Street Chicago, IL 60626 773/262-2297 phone 773/262-7872 fax Good News Community Kitchen is part of Good News Community Church at 7649 N Paulina Street. They confirmed on the phone that they are involved, and that is a violation of tax law; it is illegal for tax-exempt churches to be involved in politics. Reverend Marilyn Pagan-Banks of the church is close to Moore supporter Jim Ginderske. Most of Joe Moore’s supporters would have a problem with a reverend or pastor if he or she were electioneering for Gordon. They will not say a word, however, about Pagan-Banks and her involvement. RELATED INFO: Democrats back church IRS probe Decry 'politically involved religious leaders,' while pastor stands firm ----------------------------------- Section 501(c)(3) charities are prohibited from participating in election campaigns Section 501(c)(3) charities are prohibited from participating in election campaigns and, unlike lobbying where certain levels are entirely appropriate (See Ready Reference Page: “Lobbying Rules Create Opportunity for Charities.”) they can lose their exempt status for electioneering. (See Ready Reference Page: “Charities May Not Participate in Elections.”) The Service found “confusion” in interpreting the statutory language that charities “may not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distributing of statements, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.” Especially in cases involving churches, it said, the phrase had been interpreted to mean that the prohibition on political intervention was limited to expressly endorsing or opposing candidates. The majority of the cases alleged against churches “suggested that the pastor made a conscious effort to avoid an express endorsement, yet made an indirect endorsement clearly conveying a message on behalf of, or in opposition to a candidate.” In an effort to clarify the rules for the future, the IRS issued a new Fact Sheet (FS-2006-17) giving guidance on its interpretations. (See Ready Reference Page: “IRS Issues New Guidance on Electioneering” March 1-15, 2006 Ready Reference Page.) Some of the specific instances of alleged political intervention included: • Charities, including churches, distributing diverse printed materials that encouraged their members to vote for a particular candidate (24 alleged, 9 determined). • Religious leaders using the pulpit to endorse or oppose a particular candidate (19 alleged, 12 determined). • Charities, including churches, endorsing or opposing a candidate on their website or through links to another website (15 alleged; 7 determined). • Charities, including churches, disseminating voter guides or candidate ratings that encourage readers to vote for particular candidates (14 alleged, 7 determined). • Charities, including churches, placing signs on their property that show they support a particular candidate (12 alleged, 9 determined). • Charities, including churches, giving improper preferential treatment to certain candidates by permitting them to speak at functions (11 alleged, 9 determined). • Charities, including churches, making cash contributions to a political campaign (7 alleged, 5 determined). ---------------------------- Help Wanted Ad from Chicago Metropolitan Association web site (Posted 03/02/07) SENIOR PASTOR: GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY CHURCH, CHICAGO (Rogers Park) Good News Community Church (GNCC), a multi-racial congregation on the far north-side of Chicago, seeks a pastor who can provide leadership to its spirit filled Sunday worship, offer pastoral care to members of the congregation, organize outreach and evangelism efforts to grow the church, develop a youth ministry and represent GNCC in the neighborhood and city. Good News Community Church has 42 official members, but regularly averages 55 in worship services. The most active ongoing ministry of the church is its gospel choir, which has 15 members, including the musicians. There is also a property committee and pastoral care teams. The Vacation Bible School program in the summer has drawn as many as 200 children in the neighborhood. The Church has great potential for growth. Good News Community Church is truly a neighborhood Church. Almost all of the Church members live in the neighborhood and walk to Church. The neighborhood faces enormous challenges with drugs, crime and gentrification. The Church and its members are active in community affairs and seek a pastor who can help engage the Church in the neighborhood. Good News Community Church owns a series of storefront buildings in the North of Howard neighborhood. The storefronts have been transformed into a sanctuary, a soup kitchen and classrooms. Good News Community Kitchen, started by the church but now an independent 501c3 organization, serves meals to 125 people per night, 365 days a year. Pastor Marilyn Pagan-Banks is full-time director with the Kitchen and a part-time associate pastor with the Church. The classrooms are rented by Howard Area Community Center, a neighborhood social service agency, for an alternative high school. Thus, the Church space is buzzing on a regular basis. Conversations are underway with these partners about building a joint building on property the church owns. Long-term, the church desires a full-time pastor, but at this point it can only afford a part-time pastor. Ideally, the church would like someone who can work with the church to grow and expand its budget so the church can move the person to full-time. The church has budgeted a total of $44,000 for a new part-time senior pastor. This total figure can be divided however the person would like between salary, housing allowance and benefits.

Joe Moore Creamed by Penn & Teller

PENN AND TELLER MAKE JOE MOORE LOOK LIKE A BIG FAT FOOL

WARNING: This video features bare-breasted women near the end of the video

Click to view at your own discretion

Nothing to Fear but (Gasp!) Moore Himself

"DON GORDON WANTS TO DENY POLICE THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO FIGHT CRIME," reads the frantic and scary headline on one of Joe Moore's aldermanic campaign tree corpses.

My friend Barry recently chided me for "spreading fear" when I said that there are criminals within the Section 8 community. Jeez o' Pete, man, there are criminals within every community, whether rich, poor, black, white, tall, short. But Barry didn't like the truth when he heard it, so he countered by accusing me of spreading fear.

Barry, would you please tell the Moore people to stop spreading fear? The flier headline above is obviously intended to scare people, Barry. You scare people how? By spreading fear! YES! I see a glint of comprehension in your eyes! Stay with me now, Barry, stay with me.

Taken literally, as Moore wants us to, an ignorant/stupid person might believe that Don Gordon would take away guns, squad cars, bullet-resistant vests, two-way radios, computers, handcuffs, bullets, night sticks, and coffee from the police. You'll notice that the headline did not say that Gordon wants to take away "some of the tools." It screamed "the tools," purposefully implying all tools. Shameful.

Moore is spreading fear!

DON GORDON GOT REPUBLICAN MONEY!
Oh my God! The Republicans will eat our children!

It wasn't that long ago that Joe Moore's campaign was telling people that Jim Ginderske was a Republican who wanted to get rid of all the black people in Rogers Park.

That lie was obviously meant to scare people. To spread fear. And now they're trying to pull the same crap on Don Gordon.

Hey, I'm a moderate conservative and I can tell you this: I've spoken with Don Gordon enough to know that the man is no Republican. Whoa. No way. But here again is a case of Joe Moore lying, in a way intended to scare people.

I woke up this morning with a chuckle. My alarm clock radio awakened my to a Joe Moore interview on WLS AM (890).

The reporter asked Moore why he was running city-wide television commercials, and whether this indicated "desperation" on Moore's part.

Moore explained to the reporter that he wanted everyone to know that Don Gordon got a donation from a man who has also donated to (gasp!) REPUBLICANS! Lock the doors!

The reporter calmly responded, "So?"

There was a long, long pause. Dead air. Joe's brain spinning around. Finally, he responded.

"Well we want Rogers Park to know that Republicans are trying to take over the businesses!"

I had to wipe my eyes, I was laughing so hard. My first thought was that Moore was lying, that Gordon is no Republican, and that the business climate in the 49th Ward couldn't possibly be any worse off if so-called Republicans did "take over." How well has the business community done under Joe Moore's "progressive" authority?

How many of your friends and neighbors actually work in the 49th Ward? I'll bet that most or all of your friends work outside the ward. There are not many good opportunities here, in spite of another of Moore's lies that "everywhere you look" there's a new cafe or some other business opening. Hello? What dimensional plane is Joe Moore living on?

So sleep with the lights out, Barry, it is not my fear mongering you need to worry about. It's your friends in the Moore campaign who are spreading fear. You can feel good about that.