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Salman Aftab is an impressive candidate. He signed a no new property taxes pledge and will give a portion of his salary to charity.

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.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMWqcBuAk1g

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.

Elect Salman or he'll stab you in the anus

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.

You guys are all wrong…Stone is going and win big

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.

did mean old JS make CAPSMAN cry? boooooohooooooo :'-(

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!

THE POSTER WHO CALLED PATRICK A DOLT IS AN ARROGANT ,BIGOTED HATER .ILANA IS AN EXCELLENT ALDERMANIC CHIEF-OF-STAFF WHO HELPS THE ALDERMAN SERVE THE 50TH WARD.THIS HATRED IS MOTIVATED BY SOMETHING THE STONE HATERS WONT ADMIT TO-BIGOTRY

I was having dinner with one of her neighbors who affectionately reffered to her as "the wicked bitch of the north", and given my misfortunate run-ins with her, the name fits.

I too have had many problems with the "wicked bitch" who is the queen of nothingness. She endorses drug and alcohol use as is evident with her entire brood and has morality problems herself. As for P dolt, he obviously has a "reserved" parking spot.

MAD DOG,Are you kidding?Read you candidate's D-2filed today COCANATE GAVE AFTAB $700 would you say that's part of the campaign

WILLOW -ITS YOU THAT IS THE B-I-T-C-H !!FOR SLANDERING AND LIBELING A GREAT LADY ,PUBLIC SERVANT,GOOD PERSON!

I'm convinced that John is really Ilana. None of her neighbors even want anything to do with her and her biker gang husband. Tell me Ilana, er, I mean John...what sort of education does Ilana have? What sort of work has she done except work for her father? What qualifies her to be alderman?

THE LAST TIME I CHECKED I WAS STILL MALE.THE PERSONAL HATRED DIRECTED AT ILANA AND HER FAMILY IS SO FAR OVER THE LINE OF DECENCY AND HAS NO PLACE IN OUR SOCIETY,ELECTION OR NO ELECTION.THE DESPERATE OPPONANTS OF ALDERMAN STONE ARE ENGAGAGED IN A BIGOTTED HATE CAMPAIGN NOT ONLY AGAINST THE ALDERMAN BUT HIS ENTIRE FAMILY.TO YOU HATERS --WHAT DO YOU SEE WHEN YOU LOOK INTO THE MIRROR?!

Which STONE OPPONENT has the UGLIEST campaign??? So hard to choose isn't it?

That would be easy. Sal Aftab. Rude, crude and looking to lose. That man should be deported.

So no conversation about how Ilana is qualified to be alderman, huh? I didn't think so.

Yes,tell me John/Ilana, what qualifications DO you have besides 1) can ride a Harley 2) makes enemies faster than friends 3)poster child for poor parenting

Tell me has Greg Brewer ever work on a building project within the city of chicago. I know he claims to have been allover the world but any project in Chicago? If not he had no idea about Chicago Building Code, Zoning Laws or Permit Process.That handle makes him an expert on anything that he is campaigning on

WILLOW ,YOUR HATRED IS SHOWING-HOW JEALOUS OF ILANA YOU MUST BE-AND I AM A MIDDLE-AGED MAN-GOT IT!!!

IN READING 50TH WARD BLOGS/SITES I FIND TWO WHICH ARE UNDER CENSORSHIP/"MODERATION"- ONE CALLED" DOG FIGHT" WHICH IS AN ANTI-STONE/PRO BREWER SITE BY A"JS"WHOSE IDENTITY HAS BEEN FIGURED OUT BY MOST AND A WEST ROGERS PK GROUP SITE WHICH BANS PRO STONE MEMBERS

The bashing of ALD.STONE and his family by such hateful people ,especially those on the west rogerspark site,who portray themselves as such "nice"community minded people is really reaching epic proportions.I am shocked that such hateful people live amongst us

i heard the Brewer people are so worried that they created a phony "MISSING SIGN " story and BLAMED the Stone campaign HOW LOW CAN THE BREWER PEOPLE GO!!!!

To John/Ilana: you could't pay me to behave like that loser or her family. I have no hatred with regard to this election but a vote for Stone is a vote for Ilana and I wouln't want THAT to happen! He's too old and feeble to perform as alderman and a change in the 50th is just what this ward needs. Does Ilana have any real qualifications (I ask again)??

in regards to what you said about alderman sonte's office, number one it IS accessible to the public, its called an elevator and there is PLENTY of parking in the mall area. secondly, who are you to say what the alderman does when he is not working?? frequent visits to the hospital and always meeting with doctors, where are you getting your information? Though Stone may be of old age, he is definitely more brilliant than any of the other candidates. And how dare you talk about his daughter in such a manner? you should be ashamed of yourself! To say that she should be kinder to her father... maybe you should open your eyes! Please introduce me to a kinder woman.. she clearly thinks of others before herself, and takes excellent care of the ward office. and who says she is waiting for alderman stone to hand over his job?? who are you kidding? STONE WILL NEVER DO THAT!!! like he always says,"i'll either be carried out or voted out." theres no way he's giving up anything, so find something else to say, and stop bashing Stone and his family, find some REAL issues!!!

> IN READING 50TH WARD BLOGS/SITES I FIND TWO WHICH ARE UNDER CENSORSHIP/"MODERATION"- so start yer own blog, neighbor get the truth out there let me now if you need help

www.ALLCAPSALLTHETIME.blogspot.com is available

it's point & click lots of folks dumber than you are doing it

TO HUGH-YOU HAVE MADE HATING STONE INTO YOUR LIFE'S WORK!YOU HAVE HAD THE RUN OF THE "PHONY"WEST ROGERS PK SITE FOR MONTHS WHILE MORRIS AND HIS "BREWER SUPPORTING" PARTNER MADE NO ATTEMPT TO"MODERATE" YOU-YOUR MONOPOLIZATION OF THE SITE TO FEED YOUR OBSESSION HAS BEEN AN INSULT TO THE PEOPLE OF WEST ROGERS PK-WELL HUGH,YOU CANT CONTROL ALL THE SITES AND ONE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS WAS OVERHEARD IN "BAKERS SQ" HOPING SOMEONE WOULD HAVE A "WORST OF HUGH" SITE. I CANT WAIT TO SEE THAT!

WOW! I almost feel dirty reading some of the vitriol on this blog. Stone has been doing a fine job of running the 50th. I do not want to think what it would be like without his leadership. It is kind of funny, most people say that Bernie is the one who is guilty of name calling, but there are some on this blog who seem to have a pretty good hang of it.

BERNY STONE HAS WAGED A HIGH-ROAD POSITIVE CAMPAIGN.HE HAS A LONG RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT AND DOESN'T NEED TO RESORT TO THE VICIOUS AND BIGOTTED RANTINGS OF HIS OPPONENTS WHOSE WILD CHARGES ARE A PACK OF LIES-LABOR UNION LEADERS ARE ASSISTING IN THE ANTI-STONE SMEAR CAMPAIGN-50TH WARD VOTERS-SHOW THE CARPETBAGGING"INVADERS"HOW OUR COMMUNITY STANDS BEHIND OUR ALDERMAN,OUR REPRESENTATIVE ,WHO IS ONE OF US.

brewer is not complying with ILLINOIS ELECTION LAW!!Brewer is not filing the reports for donations over a certain figure within the last 30 days preceding election-the union $ being used for brewer must show--WHAT IS THE BREWER CAMPAIGN AFRAID OF?!!BREWER -YOU MUST OBEY THE LAW

willow, i have noticed that you have much to say about ilana, but i was wondering if you noticed that the signs say "bernard stone"? ilana is not running for alderman, and i am curious to know why you are so worried about her?? seeing as how she is not running, why are her qualifications being questioned?? not only that, but who are you to judge..what are your qualifications as a judge, other than being so hateful?

Re:towillowaboutilana I am not "worried" at all. If you have not been involved in this aldermanic election by reading the newspaper, reading other peoples personal comments or speaking with your neighbors, let me bring you up to speed. A vote for Stone is a vote for Ilana. She would never run for alderman alone, too many people hate her. Some people say "shes so nice" but momentary pleasantries do not make a great alderman. Her "qualifications" are non existant (unless one includes nepotism) and I am not judging how she runs her life, just not voting for "Big Daddy". It's not hate, it's pity.

p.s. If you use a nickname, postings will become clearer to the specific individual you are addressing.

back to willow: a vote for stone..is a vote for stone. as im sure you have heard the alderman say, many times, he will not hand down his title to anyone. he has had many great achievements, and would like to continue to achieve more. true, ilana works for him, but her title is "aldermadic chief of staff," and clearly, being there for 12 years, that is where she is staying. not only that, but just because you seem to hate her so much, doesn't mean so many other people do. i doubt you have sooo many friends who hate ilana..give me a break. i also noticed in another blog that you have many concerns about the ward, and i am wondering, instead of bashing the alderman, why not go in to see him on one of the nights he is in his office and go and give him a piece of your mind. I am sure that as alderman, he would LOVE to hear what his people have to say. maybe he would agree with you on some of your worries and even help you, and change some things. hey, thats a crazy idea, isn't it!? that is one thing i do not get about people here. i see everyone complaining about things the alderman doesn't do but hey, he is offering his services and yet no one is taking advantage. people would rather sit on this blog and complain than go into the office where you might get some real help. are you afraid to show your face after talking so much crap? this is a place where the alderman isn't going to bother to look at what people say, he doesn't even care about how much people talk about him..he is into the real issues. go to him, tell him your problems. ask that the lines on the speed humps be painted yellow instead of white so you dont bottom out your car (or maybe just go slow instead of being a speedracer..then you wouldn't have to worry either). there are so many things i can say to so many people on here. just one thing really..please..stop the hate. think to yourself..in the end, is it all really worth it? don't you have better things to worry about in your life than the alderman, ilana and her family? is your family really that perfect that YOU have room to talk? i HIGHLY doubt it. and i don't think i need to use a nickname. clearly, you know i am talking to you.

i am truly glad to see willow but in her place. for too long she has been using this campaign and the blogs to wage a personal war against ald.stone,ilana and their family.willow is a disgrace to the neighborhood!!!

What a shame, with so many problems in our ward my neighbors are running such a dirty campaign and putting the blame on candidates, get focused. How many of you went to the debate tonight?, how many of you asked questions to the candidates tonight?, well, to the ones who careed enough to show up. What a shame. Use this space to talk about serious stuff not this "low class" garbage. By the way, I'm latina, gay and a Greg Brewer supporter and very proud of it.

my daddy didnt say he wants me to replace him as alderman. Absolutely Ilana should be under the microscope because it's the great secret that everyone knows in the ward that Bernie plans to retire and have the Mayor place his daughter in his slot. So really, aa vote for Bernie is a vote for Ilana.

to nickname chicken: I have been to see Stone. Nothing has changed in my ward, just a lot of empty promises or just another empty lot. If anything DOES get done it's because I've called 311. My tax dollars WILL be put to better use by voting for a fresh, qualified and concerned new alderman. "I am sure that as alderman, he would LOVE to hear what his people have to say." Is what you wrote, if that is true why did he NOT show up for the third candidate forum last night? Doesn't he care?Methusala sits on his throne and waits...then falls asleep. I for one am fed up.

to Isa: After thirty plus years in one seat, the glue is hard to remove. I was at the forum last night because I DO care. I felt Aftabs comment of ABS (anybody but Stone) rang true for many of the attendees. I think Brewer is a wonderful speaker but Dolar has perhaps the best background for getting the job done.

NOW I KNOW WILLOW HAS IMPAIRED JUDGEMENT, IF SHE THINKS BREWER IS A GOOD SPEAKER. SHE HAS A PERSONAL AX TO GRIND AGAINST ILANA-NOTHING MORE,NOTHING LESS.ALL HER COMMENTS ARE DRIVEN BY THAT HATRED AND ISA WHAT DOES YOUR BACKGROUND OR SEXUALITY HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING?

John, obviously your missing brain cells if I have to explain to you how important my background is since you have been accusing Mr Brewer and us, his supporters, of being intolerant, while you use the word "bigot" (several time through this blog) and driven by hate; yes, I am a minority in the community for more than one reason, so I have the moral authority to tell you that you are WRONG!!!! this is my last comment to you, I won't waist my time on you. To Willow9 I agree with you Mr. Brewer is a great speaker, and also has the experience and background to lead this community in a positive direction. Naisy seems to have a lot of outside support, but i dont think she has the credentials within the community to know and represent our ward. And you can live 100 years in a neighborhood, but if you spend all of your time in city hall and with city-wide groups and organizations it's easy to lose focus on the needs of the people of the 50th ward. What has Naisy done within the community, and in the last 2 years, that tells me she's in touch with the needs of our ward? cause to tell you the truth, i could care less about B&B Bagels.

In an odd way, I find Bernie Stone sort of refreshing--sponsoring the pay raise and then saying that if the voters didn't like it, they could vote him out, saying that he was happy to support Sorich, etc etc. Well, I'm going to take him up on his offer to vote him out. His philosophy is very consistent with winning and putting his daughter in. It's a new day and I'm voting for Brewer.

to Isa: since you were at the forum on the 7th, did you get the impression that Brewer skirted the issue when talking about his background experience? I did. One other thing that I found disturbing was that I was sure that as Aftab was speaking, I saw Brewer sneer as Aftab was making his point, not just once but twice. I know Aftab can crack jokes to get a rise out of people, but this was inappropriate. I don't want someone in office that seems condescending.I know that Naisy is on the Local School Council at Decatur school, but did I miss Brewers background experience? I liked both of their answers to solve the recycling problem in our ward(it's important to my neighbors and me). Touche' on the 100 years comment. p.s. I noticed that anyone posting here eventually figures out who NOT to respond to.

I am told that one of Naisy Dolar's aim's in running is to put her husband on a "FAST TRACK" for promotion to LT. IN THE CPD.

50TH WARD RESIDENT is completely rumor-mongering when they state that the Alderman is planning to install hisdaughter-When Berny Stone says he is running for his own re-election ,he is a man to be believed-STONE'S WORD IS GOLD!THE OPPOSITION CONTINUES TO BEAT THIS DEAD HORSE OF A NON-ISSUE RUMOR!!!

i too know ald.stone to be a man of his word.it sickens me to see how he has become the target of lies and false rumors.the TRUTH will make its stand in the 50th when stone is re-elected

WILLOW -YOU'RE LIES WILL ALWAYS BE RESPONDED TO-

i am curious-is 50TH WARD RESIDENT a "brewer bungalow bigot"?i learned a brutal fact-of-life at the Boone Forum-some of my fellow bungalow owners are hateful un-nice cretins.PLEASE KNOW that there are some nice bungalow dwellers ,too.

just stop the hate. please use this blog to talk about real issues instead of alderman stone giving his seat away to his daughter. ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN! i would like all of you who believe this to visit stone's office, either during the day or on monday or thursday night when he is there... ASK HIM YOURSELVES! he will give you a straight answer, the man doesn't lie.

I think that your all acting like children here! Only the votes will speak. When Stone wins the election all you talkers will crawl under that rock again, so don't be bitter...

that's the problem. we are trying to get out from under the Stone.

YOU are CARPETBAGGING for which OPPONENT of the ALDERMAN?

STONE'S OPPOSITION HAS NO REAL ISSUES-THATS WHY THEY RESORT TO LIES AND INNUENDO!

Why is Dolar's window and door covered?what are they hiding?Most campaigns want people to see activity,yet the Dolar campaign is as TRANSPARENT as a STEEL DOOR!

For the first time in years we, the voters of the 50th ward make Stone nervous and he should be, we have a great opponent, very visible, smart and independent. Let's go neighbors elect Brewer!!!!! our guy!!!!

I think some people have gotten off topic here. Just please stop all the rumors and name-calling and act like mature adults. I'm actually embarrassed for some of you. Just vote for who you consider to be the best candidate and move on with your life.

CARLA,THE VOTERS DON'T MAKE STONE NERVOUS.HE PROUDLY STANDS FOR RE-ELECTION ON A STRONG RECORD OF ACHIEVEMENT ,BOTH FOR THE 50TH WARD AND ALSO THE ENTIRE CITY OF CHICAGO. IT IS THE DESPERATION OF KNOWING"MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE" BREWER'S ANGER-BASED -BIGOT-DRIVEN -CARPETBAGGER LED ENDEAVER IS GOING DOWN,IN FLAMES.ALSO,WHERE ARE BREWER'S A-1s-HE IS NOT COMPLYING WITH STATE LAW FOR FULL DISCLOSURE!!

what Carla posted is called "Transferrence" as john said ,above,Brewer's campaign is nervous that DEFEAT awaits them,so they try to turn the tables-this "Transferrence is rooted in the "Cognitive dissonance"so many Brewer backers suffer from.

There is no reason to replace Bernie Stone with any of three stooges running against him.Stone's experience and seniority are ASSETS to our ward and to give that up for a FRESHMAN,with no seniority,and having to learn the job is pure FOLLY.

I see Stones employees all posted at the same time(blog party in the office?) Hmmm......I got Brewers brochure in the mail today,LMAO

WOW There are plenty of ignorant postings here. Not many people stick to the issues and most people don’t even know what they’re talking about as far as the ward services, bike path, improvements ETC. From my past experience I get better service calling the ward office than calling 311. I see people calling Stone old he may be old but Wise and Experienced. Do these three candidates opposing Stone even know what their doing?? As Stone once said they haven’t even gotten their feet wet!! Change may be good but none of the 3 candidates could fill Stones shoes. You want change go to the ward office to voice your opinion. Who knows you may have good ideas, or get your questions answered. I am ashamed to live in this ward for 50+ years and see so such hatred. May the Wise man win!!

IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN HONEST WEB SITE re: THE 50TH WARD ELECTION,FORGET ABOUT THE WEST ROGERS PK GROUP SHAM "OWNED BY HENRY MORRIS AND CO-MODERATED BY RICHARD CONCAILDI(A BREWER SUPPORTER).THEY CENSOR!THEY ALLOW AN OBSESSED HATE DRIVEN SMEAR ARTIST NAMED HUGH DEVLIN TO SERIAL POST!!!AT LEAST CONCAILDI,A SELF APPOINTED "COMMUNITY ____" OPENLY STANDS OUT THERE;MORRIS PUTS ON A SELF -IMPORTANT HYPOCRISY OF BEING FAIR BUT ALL HE IS IS THE "OWNER" OF AN ELECTRONIC RAG THAT DISGIUSES ITSELF AS AN NICE FORUM OF WONDERFUL "ALL-FOR-ONE-NEIGHBORS"AMAZING WHAT CAN BE SAID WHERE MORRIS/CONCAILDI CAN'T CENSOR

to cap: F.C.-is he relevant to honesty?

Congratulations to Naisy Dolar, endorsed by both the Tribune and the Sun Times.

Congratulations to Ms. Dolar on her endorsements by both the Tribune and the Sun-Times. Its evident that she seems to be a strong contender against the incumbent. I just hope that the supporters of the candidates' parties realize that they must drop their own selective agendas and choose one challenger to run against Stone before its too late.

I agree with you F.M. A large publication would not endorse a candidate without checking out his/her stance on some very important issues. If it came down to a run-off I would support any candidate running against the incumbent.

Please, go to the Chicago Tribune web site and watch the video of the editorial board meeting with the 50th ward candidates. I don't understand why they endorsed Naisy. She don't have what it takes to run the ward. One staff for every issue? wow!!! a very large staff!! UNREALISTIC!!!! Please, do not tell the voter what we would like to hear, but what you will do. I think you are suffering of a lack of plan. So now you find it easy to attack Brewer instead of Stone. Not very smart. PLEASE, WE NEED TO USE OUR OWN CRITERIA TO DECIDE WHO IS BEST TO REPRESENT US NOT THE TRIBUNE'S OR SUN TIME. I hardly agree with their editorials anyway.

SOYLENT GREEN IS PEOPLE!!!

wendy..get a life and stop wasting your days on the blog.

You 50th ward people should be happy as hell to have an alderman like Stone. Try living in the 49th and have vacant shops and an alderman who makes sure geese are safe but not his constituents, that would be Joe Moore and his foie gras ban. You've got an alderman who truly cares about your ward, vote him in again and be grateful you don't have a schmuck like us.

Congradulations to Alderman Bernie Stone and candidate Naisy Dolar This should be a pretty darn good race. I must say Naisy suprised me. I've been out of the 50th Ward loop for the most part of 2007, but jumpped back in for the last weekend. With labor's full help, I gotta say Naisy has a great shot at winning. Historically speaking there are quite a few specific precincts in the Ward where Bernie has been very weak and has little influence with the voters. Yesterdays vote puts a spot light on those areas. Good luck to both candidates but more importantly good luck to the residents of the 50th Ward. If Bernie is re-elected it is 4 more years of the same-ole-same-ole. If you elect Naisy, (and I hope you do), she will make rookie mistakes and be learning on the job. If you elect Naisy Dolar you will get a fresh face, new ideas, and a re-newed attempt at solving the problems of the 50th. Good Luck, and thanks for the hospitality.

if any brewer or aftab supporters feel like answering, where are your votes going??

I have voted for Brewer but will NOT vote for Daisy as she does not have the experience from what I see to do the job. Seems like there is always attacking in her campaign and from her volunteers. Too pushy.I got fed up with all the calls from her office and her people. Looks like Stone gets my vote now!!

Thats o.k. :)

I guess im 4 Stone too since my guy Brewer lost, rite there with the resident. how bought anyone else?

==PROPOSAL FOR AN ELECTION EXPERIMENT== This may not be the proper forum for this, but I will state my 'idea'/'proposal' anyway, and see if anyone is intrigued by my reasoning. I hold the opinion that it has been a very, very long time since we, the citizens of these United States, have truly and honestly been represented by our so-called 'public servants'. While it can be said that a certain small percentage of any given area's population is well and generously served by their elected officials,(at the financial and social expense of the area's 'common', politically unconnected citizens),for the most part, our elected officials are motivated by three basic principles: get power, keep power and use that power to gain wealth, for themselves and for those of like mind. I assert that the vast majority of voters are poorly served by the 'powers that be', in all areas of their daily lives. It is obvious that many 'public servants' define themselves as being those individuals who are served BY the public. This sad state of affairs is the result of simple mathematics. If one determines, in any given area,(ie. city, county, state and federal),the total number of citizens who are qualified to cast a vote, one finds that perhaps 50%, more or less, of that number are actually registered to vote; further,in any given election, one finds that typically between 50% - 60% of those registered don't even bother to make the effort to actually cast their vote(s). Thus, all that is required to win a 2 person race is 51% of the votes actually cast, effectively meaning that a mere 26% of the total number of citizens qualified to vote are determining who is elected. In a race of more than 2 contestants, the percentage needed to win becomes even lower than 26%. It is a puzzling mystery why the 2 major political parties, the Dumbocrats and the Retardicans, continue to strongly resist the establishment of additional political parties, though one sees occasional use of 'shill' candidates by both major parties. So, I propose a little experiment, to be conducted in both the smallest, local level elections, (ie. town, city, county, township, village,etc.), as well as in the larger level elections, (ie. state and federal), an experiment which is designed to accomplish several goals and answer several questions,(besides the obvious one, of seeing if enough people/voters will get off their butts and choose to participate in this experiment!). Basically, my question is this: what would happen if enough voters choose, in every election, both primary and general, to cast their votes by adhering to the following rules, completely disregarding all factors commonly used by voters to make their decisions on who to vote for, and simply casting their vote(s) by applying these rules/formula: * 1) Determine which candidates are the INCUMBENTS and DO NOT vote for any of them. * 2) If there are only two candidates running for any given office, all that the voter MUST know is which one is the INCUMBENT, then vote for the CHALLENGER candidate. * 3) If there are MORE than two candidates vying for a given office, determine if the incumbent is listed FIRST, and IF THIS IS SO, then vote for the challenger candidate who is listed LAST. * 4) If the incumbent is NOT listed FIRST, then vote for the challenger candidate who IS listed FIRST. * 5) If no incumbent is running for office, always vote for the LAST candidate listed. Remember to COMPLETELY DISREGARD all impulses to concern yourself with the specific persons who you are voting for and/or the specific persons you are not voting for and/or the specific incumbents who will, should enough voters in any given election participate in this experiment, be losing their jobs. Remember,also,that the issues don't matter, policies don't matter, individual candidates' personal charm/attractiveness does not matter..................... nothing matters other than adhering to the 5 rules stated above. If enough voters in any given election participate in this experiment, the result should be that a whole lot of incumbents will be voted out of office. What reaction(s), on the part of politicians and their cronies, will this stimulate? If enough voters CONTINUE to participate in this experiment during the next several election cycles, thus keeping any specific person from holding office for more than a single term, will those non-politically connected individuals who would like to sincerely serve their fellow citizens by holding public office, but have determined that their chances of being elected are slim-to-none, now find that they have a reasonably decent chance of succeeding in holding public office? Will the 'professional politicians' eventually find other lines of work and abandon trying to gain and hold power over their fellow citizens, (since it's difficult to establish power,influence and control in just a single term in office)? Will the majority of those citizens who do gain public office now be honest, ethical, hard-working and intelligent individuals, who seek office to actually serve the electorate, (since the traditional motivations of power, influence and wealth will effectively no longer be available)? Will these new, honest candidates, now encouraged to run for office, alter the usual dynamics of 'campaigning'? And in what ways? As the reader may surmise, this experiment is designed to disrupt the decades-old flow of bullshit, which has passed for so long as democracy; bullshit both by the politicians and bullshit by the voting public's failure to effectively participate in their own governing. The above experiment should be conducted in all political contests; Administrative, Executive, Legislative and Judicial. The rule to remember is: WHEN IN DOUBT, VOTE THEM OUT. The 5 rules above are designed to mathematically ensure that the maximum number of votes are cast in such a way as to be effective in denying all elected officials more than one term in office; to prove, by the only means those smugly in power ever understand, that the voters actually determine who holds public office, and that those presently holding said office(s) have, for way too long, held the vast majority of their constituents in contempt, evidenced not by their words, but by their deeds. Keep in mind that this experiment I am proposing is not meant to be a solution to our present social, economic and political disparities, but more as a catalyst for positive change in the attitudes of those who claim to represent ALL citizens' best interests, instead of the present predominance of their representing only the interests of the chosen few. To paraphrase one of our past presidents, who once said: * You may fool SOME of the people ALL of the time * You may fool ALL of the people SOME of the time * But you cannot fool ALL of the people, ALL of the time The sad reality is that you need only to fool just the right number of people, at just the right time, to attain power and control over the many.

Just..Get your affairs in order for the next election David E. Neeley!