Thursday, January 18, 2007
News / Clout City Chicago's oldest profession
Posted by Mick Dumke on 01.18.07 at 07:22 PM
Candidates for alderman may talk about Iraq or health care policy every so often, but most races hinge on neighborhood issues like crime, development, parking, and street cleaning. As expected, those topics dominated the discussion among the three challengers to 50th Ward alderman Berny Stone during a candidates’ forum Wednesday night. One of them, though, had corruption on his mind.
Salman Aftab, the founder of an IT firm, ripped the Daley administration for wasting taxpayers' money. “I will fight to end corruption, like the $100 million hired truck scandal and others that will come out soon,” he said at one point.
Even rivals Naisy Dolar and Greg Brewer appeared intrigued by that bit of soothsaying. But Aftab's monologue blaming city mismanagement on inattentive aldermen was what really got people’s attention. “Right now we have a City Council where one alderman, Troutman, got busted" (PDF), he reminded the audience. “She said all aldermen are ho's. Well, I don’t think aldermen should be ho's. When I’m an alderman I won’t be a ho'.”
When Stone confronted Troutman about her remark last week, she reportedly told him it had been taken out of context. But Stone didn’t say anything at the forum about Aftab’s comment. He couldn't--he hadn't shown up.
Comments (121)
Showing 1-50 of 121
Salman Aftab is an impressive candidate. He signed a no new property taxes pledge and will give a portion of his salary to charity.
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Salman Aftab was so funny at the forum. I don't think he would be a good alderman but I think his intentions are certainly good.
Aftab recieved the cheers because people are tired of this arrogant Daley administration. Dolar and Brewer are in the bull-pen for Daley in case Stone falls. Change is the popular issue. Daley is a criminal.....right Darrell Mitchell?
Aftab's a joke and apparently a violent homophobe. The fact that Frank Coconate is supporting him should give you an idea of just how serious his campaign is.
Mr. Coconate, Greg Brewer is an independent Democrat who is singularly focused on beating Bernie Stone. He is not "in the bullpen" for anyone except the people of the 50th ward and is prepared to work with whomever is mayor. For you to suggest otherwise is ignorant at best, disingenuous at worst. Perhaps you should spend more time getting to know Greg Brewer and what he's about before you post false statements about him on the internet. Bridget Dooley Field Director Citizens for Greg Brewer bridget@gregbrewer.org
I can't figure out where to get in touch with Ben Joravsky, but I want to pass along a TIF tip. The strip mall at California and Armitage was built with a couple million or so in TIF funds. At least a part of the justification given for subdidizing a new Citibank branch, a 7-11 and a nails salon was that the building would have a green roof. I've checked in 2 ways, and I see no evidence of a green roof. One is that the Google maps satellite photo is now updated to 2006, and the roof appears like any other (it's on the NW corner of the intersection.) The other is that I spoke with a maintenance guy in the 3-story building across the street, and he says he's looked down on the strip mall and noticed nothing unusual about the roof. Thought Ben might be interested. Mick, any chance you could pass this along?
The message that Stone sent by not investing his high paid cycles to listen to voters should not be surprising to anyone. History bears out that point. Maybe he was still at City Hall sleeping as was shown in the Sun-Times recently! I disagree about Brewer being in the Daley "bull pen". If that was the case, why then has he been the ONLY candidate in this race that has gone to public meetings held at City Hall and testified against Stone? I don't believe Dolar or Aftab can claim that. Testifying and going on record sends a message of commitment and passion for the doing the "right thing". Brewer is pro-active and has actually forced Stone to stick to the rules. Case in point - he forced Stone to revisit zoning of Warren Park. Instead of making promises that will be fulfilled AFTER he get's elected, he's already in the saddle and riding hard. Again - I don't believe Dolar or Aftab can claim that. Bottom line: It's a horse race and Brewer IS leading the pack. Dolar and Aftab are still trying to saddle up and Stone is...
Greg Brewer was going and visiting Stone way before all this....... I know because we talked about the 5 houses on Pratt & Rockwell when the lawn sign went up. He already knew who and what because he had gone to visit the alderman and ask all the questions. He was involved and definitely not looking for a job - he's an architect with the largest firm in the Chicago. He impressed me and my husband with his knowledge and quiet manner.
Ms. Dolar and Mr. Aftab talk a big game about fighting and preventing crime and promoting community policing, but neither of them so much as show up at CAPS meetings. Greg Brewer is always at the 3 CAPS meetings in the area. RPC is right, Greg Brewer is currently acting as an alderman should and will continue to do so after he is elected.
I think Greg Brewer would make a perfect choice for alderman of the 50th. He's been listening and paying attention to our needs in the community and has stopped some very bad projects from initiating around the 50th not to mention receiving several big-time endorsements. The best thing is that he'll keep property taxes from rising (again)and spend the TIF money more wisely and strategically. And Sal Aftab is just a hot-headed moron with no political experience and an arrest record for assault and battery. He loves to get the attention of people by honing in on the obvious issues that has riddled the Daley administration, but he has know solution to anything. I mean come on, do you want a guy who's going to shoot up the place and start fights with the Daley Administration--or someone who can reason with them and work diplomatically? Think about it. Afterall, he's one of Frankie Coconate's boys.
Hey Coconate, See we have all the voters in our corner because we know how to "Short-Fall" them. The 50th ward is run like we want it , by a dumb white guy!
Tim and John, You got me on that one. Matter of fact,the 50th ward is not the only ward with a dumb white guy. The 41w,40th,44th(sorry dumb gay guy,not that there is anything wrong with that!)32nd. Then you have the Dumb Black Alderman and the Dumb women Alderman.....Boy youGuys are really good!
I don't blame folks for pumping up the candidate they support. The point of the article, in my humble opinion, was that Sal Aftab stepped out of the box. He bothered to throw a jab at the current administration. I'm guessing the author of the article found that refreshing. None of the other candidates, best as I can remember, even bothered to talk about the 400 pound gorilla, named corruption, in City Hall. It would be interesting to see what Greg and Naisy think about corruption in City Hall and how they plan on fighting it. Frank Coconate ? Frank has nothing to do with the Aftab campaign, (at this point). Frank is working for Dorothy. Both Frank and Sal worked for Tony Peraica out of the 50th Ward neighborhood. Take it from me, their relationship is no where as close as some think. One thing the challengers supporters must remember in this race......You are running against Bernie Stone the vice mayor of Chicago......The more time and energy you spend beating up on your fellow challengers, the less time and energy you spend beating up Bernie.
Nazi Dolar used to work with JESSE GRANATO in the 1999 book written by Peter Zelchenko IT HAPPENED FOUR YEARS AGO. She was part of the Mayors political machine and close with crook and rat pinoy(a)Mary Jo Falcon.
We all are Americans but in the talk about representation, empowerment, and diversity--Asians are sometimes lost. I am a Hindu and Salman is a Muslim but he speaks our language and eats are food. It is time that Indians and Pakistanis had representation. Aftab is fighting corruption and thinking outside the box on reducing property taxes, oppossing the TIF, opposing payraises, charter schools, school choice, reducing the size of the city council, term limits, and stopping corruption.
Everyone is afraid to criticize Mayor Daley. It is like the Emporers new clothes. Daley has made all his friends rich off of our backs Enough is enough Taxes are too high and corruption is too rampant We do not lifetime Mayors and dynastic oligarchies in politics and controlling economics
Nasy Dolar is part of the Chicago Machine and helped some of the worst corrupt politicians. Brewer are Aflab are independent.
Salman Aftab deserves to be alderman for the 50th ward. He actually had the guts to bring up all the corruption that was exposed to the media this past year. We need someone who isn't scared and has the will to take action
I asked Naisy about those allegations and she denied even knowing who Jesse Granato was. I haven't had time to confirm myself where or whether she shows up in the paperwork. Her name definitely chimes in my mind in connection with that activity. If I find more I will add it here.
I've looked through a good chunk of my records and don't see any mention of Naisy Dolar working in that election.
So Naisy Dolar was friends or associates or whatever with Mary Jo Falcon? I read that Mary Jo Falcon is a Filipina and led a group of 25 to 30 Asian-American city workers to "get out the vote" for numerous elections. Maybe that is why some people are thinking that?
After reading all this.... For 50th Alderman I don't want another City Worker with connections or another EMBARRASSMENT like we have now. I want a Professional Manager who has a plan and knows how to get the job done for our ward to have the best schools and city living. I moved here from Lincoln Park in 1975 with my mother and young daughter for those reasons.
I think some of the earlier postings are real interesting concerning the candidates who are all trying to defeat incumbent Alerman Stone. At the same time, we have to be somewhat rational here. We need a person with political experience and a strategy that will help the 50th undo the shackles that has stopped it from growing for the last 30 years. That's the reason why we can't endorse Alderman Stone. No good has come out of his reign and I don't see anything better in the future with him at the helm. Greg Brewer looks to be a formidable opponent. He has had the endorsements and some viable solutions in helping restart the 50th for development and using the TIF to help compensate for the expenses. His tactic is a little more conservative, but the message still comes across. Naisy Dolar seems to be pushing towards those goals as well, although she, in my opinion, hasn't been as explicit on how she plans on doing it as she seems to be apprehensive to speak about the issues. Likewise, Sal seems to have a favorable position towards the "rennovation" of Devon. But he's too much of a clown, grounded on sheer bravado than diplomatic tactics. Kind of like a bull in a China shop. And an angry bull at that. I think the time has come to stop all the silly little games on which candidate would make the better alderman. We need to choose one and stick with him or her before its too late. The Stone camp is going to kick things into over-drive in the next several weeks and unless we have a candidate that represents the 50th to the fullest, we're going to lose. Let's look at the long-term effect and come together. We have to oust Stone and get the best man (or woman) for the job.
Stone betrayed his son and even mob guys said he was a rat when he called his own son a goof and endorsed a low level hack in Matlak. If Stone cannot even be with his family than what kind of man is he. He supports a huge pay raise for a part time job but won't give minimum wage people a little more money, he can't walk and he sleeps on the job. He supports patronage even though I don't see a bunch of Hindus and Muslims with big city jobs. Not much patronage in the 50th ward. Also, patronage is not good for the city. Stone is always criticizing Shakman and the Federal monitor. Stone was close to all the 1st ward mob guys who were convicted. Stone used to have Dominic Longo the king of vote fraud on his payroll. Stone oppossed Lou Lang the best Jewish legislator in Illinois. Stone organization has ties with the corrupt Sanitary district. Stone should retire.
ATTENTION STONE HATERS--YOUR LIES AND SMEAR CAMPAIGN AGAINST OUR ALDERMAN IS NO LONGER UN-CONFRONTED--AS A 50THWARD RESIDENT ,SINCE 1955,I AM HERE TO TELL YOU AND ALL READERS THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS SICK AND TIRED OF THE HATRED THAT ALDERMAN STONES OPPONENTS ARE DIRECTING AT HIM AND THE UNITY OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY. THE WORD ON THE STREET IS THAT THE HATRED IS BEING WHIPPED UP BY THE PROFFESSIONAL POLITICAL OPERATORS BEING PAID BY THE OPPONENTS AND WHO LIVE NOWHERE NEAR THE 50TH WARD TO CREATE ANGER IN A COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT ANGRY--THEY WILL GET THEIR ANSWER ON THE NITE OF FEB.27 WHEN OUR COMMUNITY ,AND EVERY WONDERFUL DIVERSE PART OF IT,RE-ELECTS THE ALDERMAN IN WHOM WE ARE SO PROUD.--CARPETTBAGGER HATE-MONGERS -GO HOME!!! ,
So then everyone that on Stone's campaign is a resident of the 50th ward? even my precinct captain whos a resident of the 40th? ouch, thats gotta sting a little. Stone is weak and you know it, and ur gonna be greatly disappointed come February 27th when we elect a proven proffesional, Greg Brewer for our new Alderman.
YES-IM FOR REAL-AND STONE IS STRONG DESPITE THE FACT THAT YOURE COGNITIVE DISSONANCE MAKES YOU THINK DIFFERENTLY--AND NO THIS DOES NOT COME FROM STONES CAMPAIGN BUT FROM A 51YEAR RESIDENT WHO IS PROUD TO BE REPRESENTED BY HIM-NOW LETS ASK YOU-ARE YOU BREWER BIGOTS REALLY AS MEAN AND ANGRY AS YOU SEEM-AND WHO ARE THE REAL "POWERS" BEHIND THE BREWER CANDIDACY-CERTAINLY THEY ARE USING THE SELF-APPOINTED"SAVIORS(ALSO KNOWN AS BITTER STONE HATERS)SUCH AS HUGH DEVLIN AND ANN GLAPA ETC. TO GET THEIR "SPECIAL INTEREST"CANDIDATE- GREG- HATE INSPIRED SUPPORT--SHAME ON ALL OF THEM-AND AS FOR BREWER - LOOK UNDER THE SHEETS- THIS GUY IS NOT SHOWING HIS TRUE SELF--HE IS BEING "HANDLED" BY CARPETBAGGING PROS '
Don't you think ur being just a little hypocritical coming out here and calling Greg a hate-monger when all your doing can safely be reffered to as slander? and you seem like a very mean-spirited and slightly paranoid individual and frankly, i'm not sure i would want ur support if i were Greg, so go ahead and vote for berny, cause its ur right to do so.
Brewer is spewing anti Muslim and anti gay vitrolic and trying to blame Stone. Salman Aftab--it is Brewer not Stone attacking you.
There may be some truth in that statement which Aaron made. I mean I have yet to see a South Asian sponsor for Greg Brewer. Moreover, I see no signs of him in the South Asian businesses. But I disagree that Brewer is exclusively attacking Aftab. Aftab usually makes a fool out of himself in his own repugnant and thuggish ways.
LOU-IT IS NOT I WHO IS THE HYPOCRIT-BUT ALL OF YOU BREWER BIGOTS WHO HAVE GLEEFULLY ATTACKED STONE WITH VICOUS,FALSE LIBELOUS FICTIONS OF YOUR MINDS---YOUR HATRED RUNS SO DEEP AND PERSONAL ONE MUST ASK THEMSELVES-- WHY?THE ANSWER IS TRULY NOT HARD- FOR ANY FAIRMINDED PERSON!!!!
I'm sorry, but ur last comment i dont even think qualifies as an actual sentence.
IT IS NOT I WHO IS THE HYPOCRIT-BUT ALL OF YOU BERNY BIGOTS WHO HAVE GLEEFULLY ATTACKED BREWER WITH VICOUS,FALSE LIBELOUS FICTIONS OF YOUR MINDS---YOUR HATRED RUNS SO DEEP AND PERSONAL ONE MUST ASK THEMSELVES-- WHY?THE ANSWER IS TRULY NOT HARD- FOR ANY FAIRMINDED PERSON!!!!
This is so hilarious! Mr. John or ANON or whomever you are, you are nutty! I almost wonder if you are Stone himself because you are so nutty.
Stone is not capable of using a keyboard, driving his own car, making his dinner, etc. I know this firsthand. Because of all the secrets and scandal I know I will not be voting for him. If I could only tell every voter what I know about him and especially his demon offspring/chief of staff,they would have a field day in the press.
NO IM NOT BERNIE STONE BUT YES I WILL VOTE FOR HIM!!-THE ANON. HIJACKING OF MY POST AND REWORDING IS TRULY LAUGHABLE--IT IS AMAZING HOW THIN-SKINNED THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SAVAGING STONE WITH LIES AND INNUENDOES, HAVE REACTED TO BOTH MYSELF AND OTHER STONE DEFENDERS -LIKE ALL BULLIES, BREWERS BIGOTS,LED BY "HUGH" CANNOT TAKE IT WHEN THEY ARE THE PREY--AN ANTI-STONE BLOG-RULED BY BREWER SUPPORTER JS IS EVEN OPENLY CENSORING NOW THAT THE FIELD HAS BEEN MADE LEVEL
I began moderating comments long before you appeared. I've deleted comments from supporters of all four candidates.
Wow, CAPSMAN gets around. You would think my tax dollars could pay for a working keyboard.
TWO ANSWERS-TO THE TRANSPLANT -FROM FLORIDA-THIS IS NOT A CITY COMPUTER AND WHAT I SAY ,AWWWW,MADE JS TAKE NOTICE-I FREAKED HIM OUT MAKING HIM RESORT TO OPEN CENSORSHIP SMARTLY HE LIFTED CENSORSHIP BECAUSE HIS MASTERS TOLD HIM IT WAS COUNTERPRODUCTIVE SO NOW HIS SITE IS A REAL DOGFIGHT INSTEAD OF A MAULING OF ALD.STONE
CAPSMAN ANGRY! CAPSMAN SMASH BREWER! AND THEN CAPMANS COMING FOR YOU HULK HOGAN< AT WRESTLEMANIA!!!
I was wondering when CAPSMAN was just going to go ahead and start calling himself CAPSMAN. Who's the FL transplant, Naisy Dolar? Miss Panama City Rutherford High School Homecoming Queen herself. I think she's reliving her student council election.
Does anyone care about the issues at hand? The TIF spending under the current alderman, the unfinished bike trail near Peterson Ave., the inaccessable location of the ward office? Heloooo?
willow ,dont deceive readers,ALDERMAN STONES WARD SERVICE OFFICE is LOCATED at 6199 n. LINCOLN AVE. in LINCOLN VILLAGEshopping center. it is on the 2nd floor,accessable by elevator and stairway and the constituents who regularly visit have no trouble finding it. also ,because it is at LINCOLN VILLAGEparking is never a problem.if willow cant find it, willow doesnt want to find it!!!
That is the EXACT POINT about Stone's office! It's totally inaccessible to the majority of the ward by public transportation, even if you have a car, the lot is ALWAYS full, and it's not like the majority of alderman in Chicago where they have a storefront that someone can just walk into! And then people can only talk to Stone on Thursdays during his "open office hours"! That is NOT accessible and he is not the frickin KING OF THE WARD! Stone is TOO OLD to serve as alderman. He is spending the majority of his time in the hospital and meeting with doctors. It's time that he retires. His selfish, loser, flea-bag daughter should be kinder to her father and not demand that he stays in office so that he can have the mayor appoint her to his seat. She should get a REAL job on her own merit and stop waiting for her father to hand her a job just as he's always done.
THE LAST POSTER IS QUITE INSANE.HOW DO YOU FIGURE THAT AN OFFICE THAT IS ALWAYS FULL OF CONSTITUENTS ,THERE TO SEE THEIR ALDERMAN ABOUT THEIR PROBLEMS ISINACCESSABLE?THATS LIKE CLOSING YOUR EYES AND SAYING YOU CANT SEE ANYTHING!
