CHICAGO NEWS BENCH: aldermanic election 2011

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Michael Carroll Interview, Part 5 of 5 (Video)

Michael Carroll is a Chicago police officer who is running for alderman in the 46th Ward (see his campaign website). That encompasses portions of the Uptown neighborhood, where Helen Shiller is not running for re-election (I pronounced her political career as dead in July, 2008). Here is the final installment in our exclusive five-part series. RELATED: First Responders Endorse Michael Carroll CNB Michael Carroll on Facebook Michael Carroll on Twitter

First Responders Endorse Michael Carroll for 46th Ward Alderman

January 26, 2011 - Chicago - With the February 22 aldermanic elections less than a month

away, one candidate running in the 46th Ward has received a big endorsement from Chicago's police and firefighters. That candidate, Michael Carroll, is a Chicago police officer. Some of the candidates running in the 46th actually have the dishonesty to claim that they are the only one who understands crime - or wants to do anything about it. Really? Can Molly Phelan, Befekadu Retta or James Cappelman honestly say that they are police officers? Can Phelan or Cappelman honestly say that they know more about police and crime issues than CPD Officer Michael Carroll? The next time Phelan, Retta, Cappelman or any of the other contenders (full list here) claim to know more or care more about fighting crime than any other candidate, ask them how long they served as police officers. Ask them if attending CAPS meetings or even being a judge is the same as doing hazardous duty as an officer in the trenches of Chicago's mean streets. Then look them right in the eye and ask them if they really think they know more about crime and policing than Michael Carroll. Mike Carroll sent this email today, announcing the endorsement: I'm proud to announce that our campaign has been endorsed by all three first responder groups that work to protect our citizens by putting public safety first. The Fraternal Order of Police - Chicago Lodge 7, Chicago Police Sergeants' Association, and Chicago Firefighters Union Local 2 have each independently endorsed our campaign. These groups represent more than 20,000 hard-working Chicagoans combined. These endorsements add to the momentum our grassroots campaign is seeing on the streets as we talk and meet with voters across our neighborhoods. You can build upon that momentum today by making a contribution of $50, $100, $250 or any amount that will help support our efforts. We also need volunteers with the campaign, so please sign up to volunteer online or send us an e-mail letting us know if you can help. You can also join us as we spread the word about our latest endorsements and our plans to improve our neighborhoods by calling voters or knocking on doors this weekend on both Saturday from Noon to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Email us at field@carroll46.com if you are able to give a couple of hours of your time. We will meet at our campaign headquarters at the corner of Sheridan and Leland in Uptown. As Alderman, I will work tirelessly alongside the police and firefighters and be their advocate on the City Council as we work to improve public safety and fight crime here in the 46th Ward and throughout Chicago. This will require us to put more police on the streets and target gangs, guns, and drugs block by block in our neighborhoods. The Fraternal Order of Police agrees. “We are unanimously endorsing Michael Carroll as the best candidate to reduce crime in the 46th Ward,” stated Mark Donahue, president of the FOP. “His proactive plan for fighting crime and over seven years of experience as a Chicago Police Officer make him the right choice for voters” Make your contribution today to help support our campaign to improve the 46th Ward by reducing crime, bringing in new businesses, and improving our schools and infrastructure. Thanks for your support and let's continue the momentum this weekend.

Canvassing and Absentee Ballots in the 46th Ward

Michael Carroll's 46th Ward Aldermanic Campaign is getting ready for its first major canvass of of the new year. They invite you to help out by volunteering for a two or three hour shift on Saturday, January 15. (Also, please consider a making donation to Michael Carroll's campaign, even if it's only $5.00. Every bit helps!) The campaign provides more details about Saturday's canvassing and absentee ballots: The first opportunity to apply for absentee ballots begins Thursday, January 13, so we want to begin reaching voters in the 46th Ward as they decide who their next Alderman will be. We will be making calls at the office and going door-to-door in key neighborhoods to reach voters and let them know about my background and plans to reduce crime, create jobs, and improve our neighborhoods. The canvassing begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 15 at our campaign headquarters (4700 N. Sheridan Rd.) and will last until 4 p.m. If you would like to learn more about the canvassing crew, please contact us at field@carroll46.com or call us at 773-627-1410. Any amount of time that you can give to the campaign is greatly appreciated as we sprint toward Election Day. Please volunteer to help the campaign or request a yard or window sign, you can do so easily by signing up online today. We will have canvassing and call shifts during the week and every weekend through Election Day. This year, you also no longer need an excuse to vote absentee. We have more information on how to sign up for an absentee ballot on our website. While there, you can also find an interactive Ward map and other information on registration and early voting under our new Community section.

Holiday Wishes From Michael Carroll

Here's a nice holiday wish from one great guy, Michael Carroll. A police officer in Chicago, Michael puts himself in harms way every day to help keep you and your family safe. He's also running for Alderman in Uptown's 46th Ward; the election is in February. I am happy to share Michael's good wishes with you: Dear Friend, I want to wish you, your family, and your friends a happy holidays. During the holidays, we have an opportunity to remember all the things that we are thankful for and be reunited with the ones we love. I am thankful to have friends like you supporting me in this campaign and look forward to working with you into the New Year. We should also not forget those who are less fortunate in our community during this holiday season. If you are able to volunteer at a local shelter, serve at a food pantry, or help a worthy nonprofit during this season - you can make a difference in our community. Thank you again and happy holidays from Lisa and I and the rest of the Carroll family and campaign team! Michael

Political Holiday Cheer in 46th Ward

December 20, 2010 - Not only does this party tomorrow night sound like fun, it's also a great way to get out and support Mike Carroll, the best candidate for alderman in Chicago's 46th Ward. Here's his invitation: I hope you will be able to join us tomorrow from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. for a holiday reception at our campaign headquarters located at 4700 N. Sheridan Road. It will be a great way to connect and stay involved in the campaign. The event is free to attend but contributions are appreciated. We will have light food, refreshments, and plenty of holiday cheer. Feel free to invite your friends, family, and neighbors as well. You can RSVP by replying to this e-mail or RSVP on Facebook. If you can't attend but still want to support the campaign, you can make a contribution easily online here. Please RSVP to (773) 627-1410 or mjn@carroll46.com Suggested Contribution Levels: Host - $500; Sponsor - $250; Friend - $100; Guest - $25 Learn more about Michael at www.carroll46.com Citizens for Michael Carroll P.O. Box 4902 Chicago, IL 60680-4902

Get Michael Carroll On The Ballot, Uptown!

This weekend, you can help get a great aldermanic candidate on the ballot. Join Michael Carroll on Saturday, November 6 anytime between 9:00 a.m. and Noon and on Sunday, November 7 between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at 4700 N Sheridan Road. To get Michael on the ballot, he needs to get enough signatures from registered 46th Ward voters. That's where your help is so important. If you're able to, please help Michael by knocking on doors, stopping into stores, restaurants, and canvassing the neighborhood to collect signatures! (It's a great way to meet new people and learn more about Uptown!) Michael Carroll is committed to protecting and empowering the residents of the 46th Ward and as Alderman he will bring innovative and practical ideas to City Council. The first step towards a better 46th Ward begins with making sure every resident has the opportunity to vote for Michael on Feb 22, 2011! Only a few hours of your time can make it happen! For more information, or to RSVP, email Michael@Carroll46.com or phone 773-627-1410. ATTENTION FOOTBALL FANS! Spend the morning collecting signatures, then go back to Michael's campaign office to enjoy big-screen football! Watch the Northwestern Wildcats play the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday, and watch da Chicago Bears are go up against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Q&A With Michael Carroll, 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidate

November 3, 2010 - For Chicago, "election season" is not over! The mayoral and aldermanic elections are just around the corner in February, 2011. Tonight is a good opportunity for voters in Chicago's 46th Aldermanic Ward to meet candidate Michael Carroll. With an (optional) adult beverage in hand, you can ask Michael about the issues facing the ward and the city as a whole. It all happens at Nick's Uptown, 4015 N. Sheridan (just north of Irving Park) at 6:30 p.m. this evening. ) Click the image for more info.) If you're not able to make it to the forum tonight, Michael will gladly come to you to answer your questions and address your concerns about the future leadership of the ward and the city. Visit Michael's website today for even more information about this important election next February.

Get Signatures, Watch The Bears With Michael Carroll on Sunday, October 24

Here's a fun and pro-active way to spend a Sunday. Get together with friends and neighbors to get signatures to put Michael Carroll on the 2011 aldermanic ballot, then kick back with free food and watch the Bears on a big screen television. Nice! Mike Carroll needs signatures from registered 46th Ward voters. That means knocking on doors, stopping into stores, restaurants, and canvassing the neighborhood to collect signatures! You get some excercise, meet new people (maybe make new friends?), and feel good about participating in the democratic process. Join Michael Carroll on Sunday, October 24 anytime between 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. at 4700 N. Sheridan Road (at Leland) in exotic Uptown. Only a few hours of your time can make it happen! The campaign especially needs people with any foreign language proficiency. For more information or to RSVP contact: Michael@Carroll46.com or 773-627-1410. Mike Carroll is committed to protecting and empowering the residents of the 46th Ward, and as Alderman he will bring innovative and practical ideas to City Council. The first step towards a better 46th Ward begins with making sure every resident has the opportunity to vote for Michael Carroll on February 22, 2011. The Bears are playing the Redskins on October 24 at Noon and the game will be shown a big screen television at the campaign office. There will also be plenty of food and drink for anyone that drops into help. So, spend the morning collecting signatures, then get back to the office to watch the game. Go Bears! If you still haven't met Michael Carroll, here are some good times to introduce yourself: Monday, October 18: The Awake Cafe - 9am to 11:30am 736 W Irving Park Road Chicago, IL 60613 Tuesday, October 19: Campaign Headquarters - 9am to 11:30am 4700 N Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60640 Wednesday, October 20: Winston's Internet Cafe - 10pm to midnight 5001 N Clark St Chicago, IL 60640 Thursday, October 21: Campaign Headquarters - 9am to 11:30am 4700 N Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60640 Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club - 7pm - 9pm 601 W. Montrose Drive, Chicago, IL 60613 Friday, October 22: The Broadway Cafe - noon to 3pm 4716 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60640 Saturday, October 23: Bernie's Tavern - 8pm - 11pm 3664 N Clark Street Chicago, IL 60613 Sunday, October 24: Campaign Headquarters - 9am to 3pm 4700 N Sheridan Road Chicago, IL 60640 Contact Michael Carroll directly at 773-627-1410 or at Michael@Carroll46.com and ask him to come to you. He has been doing just that for the last eleven months and will continue until election day in February, 2011.

Get Michael Carroll On The Ballot, 46th Ward!

Residents of the 46th Ward can help get aldermanic contender Michael Carroll on the ballot by collecting signatures this Sunday, October 10 anytime between 11:00 am and 6:00 pm at 4700 N Sheridan Road, Chicago. The first step towards a better 46th Ward begins with making sure every resident has the opportunity to vote for Michael on Feb 22, 2011. Just a few hours of your time can make it happen. (Attention Bears fans: The game will be on in the campaign office, plus plenty of food for all volunteers.) To get Michael on the ballot, we need to collect signatures from registered 46th Ward voters. That means knocking on doors, stopping into stores, restaurants, and canvassing the neighborhood to collect signatures! In other words, talking to your neighbors, friends and other residents of the ward you live in. It's a fun way to participate in our democracy.

Michael is committed to protecting and empowering the residents of the 46th Ward and as Alderman he will bring innovative and practical ideas to City Council. For more information or to RSVP, write to Michael@Carroll46.com or phone 773-818-7585.

Loyola Academy Ramblers Supporting Michael Carroll In 46th Ward Alderman Race

Come out and support Michael Carroll, Candidate for Alderman of the 46th Ward at Bernie's Tavern at 3664 N Clark Street in Chicago on Saturday, October 23. Bernie's Tavern is a Rambler-owned business that knows how important it is to support fellow Loyola Academy graduates. This is the type of generous support allows our Loyola family to improve the community. Tickets are only $40 each and include open bar for three hours, as well as light appetizers. Get your tickets online by clicking here. Please support a fellow Loyola Academy Rambler! As a Man for Others, Michael Carroll is working to make Chicago a better place for all. WHEN: Saturday, October 23 from 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm WHERE: Bernie's Tavern is located at 3664 N Clark Street (see map) If you cannot make it to the October 23 event, please consider donating to Michael's campaign by visiting his website.

Alderman Smith Won't Run Again in 48th Ward Chicago

So long to Ald. Mary Ann Smith. She won't run in the February, 2011 Chicago aldermanic election. Ald. Mary Ann Smith (48th) acknowledged Thursday that she would not seek re-election, reported the Chicago Sun-Times on Aug. 5, 2010. Smith, chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee, is the second longest-serving woman on the City Council. She was elected in 1989, the same year Mayor Daley took office, and has “never lost a precinct.” But, Smith said Thursday that “after 21 years of trying to be all things to all people,” the current term would be her last. Update, August 6: Ald. Smith sent this email to 48th Ward constituents: Dear Friends, It is with mixed emotions that I have decided not to run for re-election in February. My 20 years as Alderman of the 48th Ward have been the most productive and fulfilling of my career. I am so proud of what we have accomplished together to improve the quality of life in our community. Despite the continuing challenges, our streets are safer, our schools are better, our housing has improved and our businesses are strong. But I believe it is time I move to a new phase in my life. I want to focus my energy on environmental issues, especially climate change and the health of the Great Lakes; mental health and nursing home reform, and animal welfare. I believe I can do this more effectively as a focused advocate for these causes. Thank you for your help and support. It has been my privilege to serve you. And I pledge to devote my full energy to working on behalf our community as your Alderman until my term expires next May. With warmest regards, Mary Ann Smith Ald. Smith is one of a handful of aldermen to whom we would extend best wishes for success, and we do. But isn't it always amusing to hear an elected official say that they are leaving their position of great influence and power so that they can be, well, influential and powerful? What is it about being a Chicago alderman that Mary Ann Smith thinks is limiting her ability to affect "environmental issues, especially climate change and the health of the Great Lakes; mental health and nursing home reform, and animal welfare?" Just asking. Now, let's continue the northward trend of incumbent aldermen deciding not to run. Recently, 46th Ward Ald. Helen Shiller of Uptown infamy announced her decision to not run again. Retiring in Edgewater is Smith in the 48th, just north of Shiller's 46th Ward. Can we pleeeeeeeease hear a similar announcement soon from the 49th Ward, just north of Edgewater, where Ald. Joe Moore has annoyed developers and imported thousands of Section 8 vote slaves into Rogers Park since 1991? Please?

The Witch Is Dead: Cappelman Statement On Shiller Retirement

46th Ward Alderman Helen Shiller proved long-standing rumors true by confirming that she will not run for re-election in February, 2011. Candidate James Cappelman issued this puzzlingly tepid response: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 46th Ward Alderman Candidate James Cappleman Statement On Alderman Shiller’s Retirement Monday August 2nd, 2010 CHICAGO: “We have learned this morning that Ald. Shiller has chosen not to run for reelection. My first memory of Ald. Shiller was witnessing her as a strong advocate for those living with HIV, during the time when the general public had such strong fears and prejudice toward those with this disease. Her support helped open the eyes of others to realize that help was sorely needed. "It’s clear that the ward was seeking a change and Ald. Shiller knew that was the case. We need someone in office who is more focused on open communication and community input. Residents living in apartments, shelters, condos, and affordable housing also wanted a more proactive response to crime in the ward. “Now is the time for true change and reform. We should not repeat our mistakes from the past, but take this opportunity to choose an alderman who knows the community well and has a track record of accomplishments improving the ward. I will continue to fight for the people of the 46th ward because we deserve better." The ward also deserves an alderman who is willing to call a witch a witch. Cappelman completely avoided calling out Shiller for her abuse of TIF funds, her confrontational attitude toward the police, and her importation of more than the ward's share of Section 8 and mental patients. Shiller single handedly turned the 46th Ward into one of the largest open air, no-walls insane asylums in the world. Mr. Cappelman offers praise for the woman that one would have expected him to savage in a debate, yet all he says about her departure is "Her support helped open the eyes of others to realize that help was sorely needed." Helen Shiller used those who needed help in a cynical and successful bid over 20 years to build her political duchy in Uptown, and Mr. Cappelman knows that. Much of the crime in Uptown is due directly to Shiller's coddling of the criminal element and those who nurture the violent ones. She may have helped others realize that help was "sorely needed," but that help remains sorely lacking. If it were up to Helen Shiller, all of the 46th Ward would have become a gargantuan public housing project. Fortunately, she only partly succeeded in achieving that part of her utopian dream. Cappelman's campaign website is http://www.jamesforchange.com/

Farinas Quits 46th Ward Aldermanic Race

July 21, 2010 - The 46th Ward aldermanic race has one less contender today. Gerald Farinas, a self-described Republican, is out of the race. The 27-year old announced yesterday on his website (see below) and on his Twitter page that he was shutting down his campaign. (Nothing at his Facebook page as of 2:15 p.m., July 21.) The still-crowed contest now has at least four (maybe five) people hoping to replace incumbent Helen Shiller (presumed to be running but she hasn't announced; and insider rumors are swirling that she may not). 1) James Cappleman ("life-long Democrat" who claims to be independent but kisses Machine butt by his own admission); 2) Michael Carroll (CPD officer with a very impressive background); 3) Molly Phelan (tax attorney who gained fame locally for her fight against Shiller's TIF funding of the Wilson Yard project; more about Phelan here and here); 4) Don Nowotny (Streets and Sanitation muckety-muck and Machine cog; see here and here); 5?) Jesse Wilson (Probably not really a candidate and has not filed, but rumors fly at online gossip trough Uptown Update). From the Farinas campaign website: THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! WE'RE SORRY TO END OUR CAMPAIGN Tuesday, July 20, 2010 Dear friends and neighbors: It is with deep regret that our campaign has come to an early end. Since Gerald’s October 11, 2009 announcement, his small but dedicated team has met with many wonderful people in our neighborhoods at bus benches, train platforms, school playgrounds, coffee stops with cops and firefighters, and picketing with construction and hotel workers. Thanks for the lunches and dinners, and the occasional ice cold glass of Dr. Pepper that Gerald loves so much! But he loved the conversations more! He absolutely loved meeting so many great neighbors like you! We know there were many who had no confidence in what we were trying to do, some proclaiming our ship was sunk before it even launched. Still others have shared that this is the year for a dark horse. But the odds are against us. Our community is not ready for real, bold, innovative change that it needs. It looks like it won’t vote for something that’s too new to them. The field is too crowded and our good message is being drowned out by well-funded veterans of Chicago ward politics with massive appetites for the title of “Ward Boss” and deeply entrenched divisions among neighbors. We have learned this, though. Gerald, nor any neighbor of our Ward, does not have to run for alderman to make the case for a new, strong and more efficient anti-crime program, education reform with uplifting after school programs for latchkey kids, greater senior citizen advocacy and safer senior living communities, and the roll-out of a more aggressive pro-small business and pro-main street campaign to pull our neighborhoods out of localized economic depression and put neighbors back to work. (From http://geraldfarinas.com/) WARNING!!! If you visit Farinas's website, you'll see "Click here to continue reading" - DO NOT CLICK THAT LINK: IT GOES TO A PAGE THAT CONTAINS A VIRUS. RELATED: Letter From Gerald Farinas Lake Effect News (May 12, 2010)

My Name Is Molly Phelan, And I'm Sick Of It

July 15, 2010 - Chicago - “My name is Molly Phelan, and I want to be your alderman,” she told the crowd. Phelan, a tax attorney, was speaking last night to a crowd at Nick's Uptown, 4015 North Sheridan Road, last night. The occasion: The formal announcement of her candidacy for 46th Ward alderman. ALSO SEE: First Responders Endorse Michael Carroll for 46th Ward Alderman (CNB, January 26, 2011) According to Lake Effect News, Alderman Helen Shiller "is said to be making an announcement on whether she intends to run for another term in early August." LEN quotes Phelan as telling last night's crowd that "A lot of you have asked me why I’m running for alderman. The short answer is I’m sick of it. I’m sick of the lying, I’m sick of the kids getting killed in our streets, and I’m sick of money being taken from our schools and given away in backroom deals in city hall. I’m sick of it.” More at LEN... Yes, and so is most of Uptown. Chicago's aldermanic elections will be held in February, 2011. RELATED: Molly Phelan Running For Alderman in 46th Ward Don Nowotny On Latest Broadway-Wilson Shooting What The Cappleman! It's Official, He's Running In The 46th Ward Urgent! Petition to Stop Wilson Yard $54 Million Expansion Ald. Helen Shiller Wallows in Lies, Self-Pity

Molly Phelan Running For Alderman in 46th Ward

IT'S OFFICIAL: Activist attorney Molly Phelan will run for alderman in Chicago's 46th Ward in the February, 2011 election. ALSO SEE: First Responders Endorse Michael Carroll for 46th Ward Alderman (CNB, January 26, 2011) On June 23, Phelan responded to me my email request for an interview about her "Friends of Molly Phelan." She wrote: "Thank you for reaching out. Due to several factors, I won't be able to have any type of interview regarding the Aldermanic run until mid-July. Regardless, I really appreciate your perspective that the coverage is pretty slanted out there. You have always been very fair in your understanding of how the 46th Ward works and I greatly respect that and will continue to do that in the future. I look forward to touching base with you in July." Phelan has several years of communitiy activism, primarily with Fix Wilson Yard, a group formed to fight the "misuse" of TIF money in the building of a new Target store and residential units in Uptown at W. Montrose and N. Broadway. Fix Wilson Yard has given Phelan first-hand experience at organizing and fundraising.

Yet Another Ginderske-Westgard Fraud and Failure

JUNE 5, 2010 - James "Jim" Ginderske will probably run for alderman again next year in Chicago's 49th Ward. He's been building his political resume since 2006, when he launched his poorly run aldermanic campaign against incumbent Joe Moore.

Since losing to Moore and two other contenders in February, 2007, Ginderske has become a shameless lapdog of Joe Moore and overseen the stunning failure of two of his own pet projects: "Neighbors for a Healthy Rogers Park" (NHRP) and "The Urban Coaster."

Ginderske keeps racking up spectacular failures, and continues to lie about them and misrepresent himself. First, let's look at The Urban Coaster. Then we'll examine the NHRP.

The Urban Coaster was first incorporated in October, 2008. It was involuntarily dissolved by the State of Illinois on March 12, 2010.

However, it continues to illegally misrepresent itself as "The Urban Coaster, Inc." (when we checked the "About" page on their website at 10:00 a.m., June 5, 2010). There, the publisher is listed as "The Urban Coaster, Inc." It's the "Inc." part that's the problem.

They cannot legally use "Inc." in their name, because they are not a legal corporation in Illinois. The original signers of the Articles of Incorporation on October 22, 2008 were James J. Ginderske, Francis Scudellari (right) and Thomas Westgard (left).

Westgard, an attorney of sorts, is currently listed as a Contributing Writer. He should certainly be aware that it is illegal for an entity to use "Inc." in its name and constitutes misrepresentation if, in fact, the entity is not a legal corporation. Such is the case with The Urban Coaster.

Inc-a-dink-a-doo

Curiously, Jim Ginderske calls himself the publisher of The Urban Coaster on his LinkedIn page and says he still holds that title. He says he's in the "Newspapers industry," but we wonder how that can be true when in fact the Urban Coaster seems to no longer be putting out a dead-tree version. He may technically be in publishing, but no longer in newspapers. The question, then, remains: Who, exactly, is really the publisher of The Urban Coaster?

There is a notice at the bottom of that "About" page that says, "All materials are Copyright The Urban Coaster, Inc." Since there is no such entity as "The Urban Coaster, Inc.," we can't help but wonder who actually owns the copyrights to any "materials" posted after their involuntarily dissolution on March 12, 2010.

The Urban Coaster was originally both an online and actual paper publication that billed itself as covering "all the news that fits the neighborhoods of Rogers Park, West Ridge, and Edgewater along the shore of Lake Michigan on Chicago's far North Side."

The Urban Coaster has not printed a paper version since late 2009. Their last post on Twitter was October 16, 2009. The last time they posted to their Facebook wall was March 22, 2009. It still has its website, and the most recent posting was on May 28, 2010.

The Urban Coaster usually misses or ignores the big local stories in favor of non-local headlines such as "Is the Informal Economy the Best Hope for Africa?" (May 27, 2010), "The Threat of Extremism in South Africa" (April 6, 2010), "The Tragedy of Niger's Coup" (February 23, 2010) and "Understanding Rwanda in the Context of Haiti" (January 29, 2010). That can be considered "neighborhood news" only if you live in Africa or Haiti, not Rogers Park, Illinois.

No Union Label: The Urban Coaster presents itself as pro-union, yet the Urban Coaster itself is not and never has been a union shop. Ginderske brags about his union membership but proudly participates in a non-union operation.

No Hablas Espanol: In March, 2008 there was a public meeting in Rogers Park, at which Dan Haley, the new publisher of the News-Star newspaper, introduced himself to the community. Neither Westgard nor Ginderske bothered to show up, but Ginderske minions Francis Scuddellari and Terry "Cookie" Feingold were in attendance. Both men were integral cogs in the 2007 Ginderske aldermanic campaign and both are still listed on the Urban Coaster staff roster. Feingold raised his hand and asked Haley if the News-Star had plans to publish a Spanish language version, citing Rogers Park's large Latino population. Haley said they had no such plans, and Feingold effectively chided him for not caring about the Spanish speakers among us.

The Urban Coaster has never published a Spanish version of itself either online or in paper. For that matter, Feingold's own catering company's website is English-only.

The Urban Coaster, as noted, is not incorporated, so it is misrepresenting itself by using the name "The Urban Coaster, Inc." on its website. It's not the first time, either.

The Urban Coaster has been in violation now (again) since March 12, 2010 by calling themselves "Inc." on a website that still, apparently, accepts advertising. As of June 5, 2010 at 11:36 a.m., Terry Feingold is still listed as their contact for advertising. The next item on that page, below Feingold's name, is "The Urban Coaster, Inc." To be selling advertising - or anything else - while misrepresenting yourself as a corporation is a violation of law.

IT'S FRAUDULENT

Illinois law states that "Any corporation which (i) puts forth any sign or advertisement, assuming any name other than that by which it is incorporated or otherwise authorized by law to act or (ii) violates Section 3.25, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and shall be deemed guilty of an additional offense for each day it shall continue to so offend." (Source: Illinois General Assembly web site; see "Article 16 - Penalties".) As of this writing on June 5, 2010, it's coming up on 90 days since they lost their corporate status, yet they continue to use a name that is not "authorized by law."

A video interview of Jim Ginderske and Francis Scudellari talking about the beginnings of The Urban Coaster (Part 1 here; Part 2 here) reveals much. (Fast forward to 3:20 in Part 1 to get to the Ginderske-Scudellari portion.) The interview was recorded at the Heartland Cafe on March 21, 2009 during a live radio broadcast hosted by SDS member and lifelong marxist Michael James. (Little did any of them know, at the time, that The Urban Coaster would have the same kind of spectacular success that the late Air America enjoyed.)

It's darkly amusing to hear Ginderske insist that The Urban Coaster would be unbiased (in fact, it's had a boldly pro-socialist slant from the beginning), and to hear them promise, in Part 2, that "within a year" they would publish a Spanish version of The Urban Coaster.

As noted, that has yet to happen, and with no paper version - and no advertising - there seems little chance that they their promise will be kept. Involuntarily dissolved by order of the State of Illinois one year and nine days after that promise was made, it seems like just one more broken Ginderske promise.

Neighbors for a Healthy Rogers Park (NHRP) was first incorporated in December, 2006, at the height of Ginderske's 2007 aldermanic run.

It was involuntarily dissolved by the State of Illinois on May 9, 2009. NHRP was created primarily as an attempt to make Ginderske look like a man of the people and a guy who just wanted to help the neighborhood. With the benefit of hindsight, we can now see that Ginderske neglected NHRP when it was no longer politically useful to him.

Watch for him to try to rehabilitate the discredited NHRP, however, as he gears up for another aldermanic run in 2011. Ginderske continues to make lame attempts now and then to misrepresent NHRP as a legitimate group.

As recently as September 14, 2009 (four months after losing its legal status as a corporation), Ginderske was pushing NHRP. According to the Minutes of the Public Hearings on the FY2010 Preliminary Budget, page 3, for the Cook County Health and Hospitals System Board of Directors, he was registered as "Jim Ginderske, Representative, Neighbors for a Healthy Rogers Park" and submitted "written testimony." We couldn't find the details of that testimony, but we bet that Ginderske did not tell the Board that the group he was representing had been involuntarily dissolved by the State of Illinois months earlier.

Ginderske lists himself as the current "President" of NHRP on his LinkedIn page. He claims that NHRP is in the "Research industy."

In July, 2008, Chicago News Bench noted that NHRP had not given a full accounting of any money that passed through its hands. Today, on June 5, 2010, we would still like to see a full accounting from NHRP.

Ginderske's partner in these messes: Thomas J. Westgard was Ginderske's campaign chair in the 2007 run for alderman. Westgard has been an integral part of Ginderske's fraudulent NHRP and Urban Coaster failures. Will he be part of Ginderske's sure-to-be-fraudulent 2011 campaign?

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Ald. Joe Moore Will Not Seek Re-Election

Chicago News Bench is predicting that Chicago Alderman Joe Moore (49th Ward) will not seek re-election in 2011. CNB has been considering this for some time now and we believe that Moore will probably choose to retire gracefully and with a full pension with benefits rather than face an embarrassing defeat two years from now. Moore was forced into a run-off when he could not muster enough votes in the 49th Ward's four-man race of February, 2007. He then barely won re-election in the run-off of April, 2007, defeating challenger Don Gordon by fewer than 300 votes. Accusations of ballot fraud are still bandied about the 49th Ward today. Moore outspent Gordon by enormous amounts and had the support of US Rep. Jan Schakowsky and her convicted-felon-on-parole husband Bob Creamer, as well as some top gun air cover provided by the Democrat National Committee and Big Unions. Moore may not be able to count on the same level of support in 2011 that he enjoyed two years ago. More on this.... CNB RSS Feed

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