February 28, 2007
"FIREMARKED" DEMOCRATS VANQUISHED IN PARK RIDGE
The obscure mayor of Park Ridge, Howard Frimark, has suddenly emerged as the envy of his peers, and as a Republican savior. Like many suburban mayors, Frimark confronted a quarrelsome, obstreperous city council, dominated by newly-emboldened Democrats, who scented a takeover. His peers would have fought to defeat their adversaries. But "Fabulous Frimark," in a stroke of genius, put a referendum on the ballot to abolish their jobs -- and he won. In November, 2006, Park Ridge voters reduced their aldermen from 14 to 7, effective in 2007. That meant the Democrats elected in 2003 and 2005, who comprised a governing majority on the council, and who stripped Frimark of his appointive powers, all had to face the voters in 2007. Quite incredibly, 10 of 14 aldermen retired. Pro-Frimark candidates will win in at least 5, and possibly six wards. Frimark is now "King Howard" of Park Ridge, and the once-resurgent Democrats are back in the Stone Age. Full Article...
February 21, 2007
"GLUTTONOUS" CHCIAGOANS ARE CONTENT WITH DALEY
Chicago voters are rapaciously gluttonous. They demand from their mayor the following: low crime, decent schools, efficient services, minimal taxes, and appreciating property values. What else? From Mayor Rich Daley, for the past 18 years, they have gotten their wish. The Feb. 27, 2007 mayoral election is a non-event. Dorothy Brown and Dock Walls, both black, have run lame campaigns. Despite 42 convictions in the Hired Truck scandal, "reform" is not an issue. In any other U.S. city, Daley would be a Republican. The unions are against him. Turnout will be about 525,000, about equal to 1995's. Daley will win with 58%, but his vote total will be the lowest he has received in 7 mayoral runs (1983, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2007). In city council races, incumbents Berny Stone (50th), Pat Levar (45th), and Ted Matlak (32nd) are in trouble, but Brian Doherty (41st), Gene Schulter (47th), Marge Laurino (39th) and Bill Banks (36th) are safe. Full Article...
February 14, 2007
"WINDS OF CHANGE" THREATEN 6 ALDERMEN
Winds of change -- generational, factional, ideological, racial and legal -- are gusting in a half dozen Chicago wards, jeopardizing six incumbent alderman on Feb. 27. The incumbents are generally pro-Daley, and have a combined service of 112 years. Burt Natarus, who has served for 36 years in the Gold Coast 42nd Ward, faces a youthful foe who castigates him as a buffoon. Virginia Rugai, who has served 16 years from the far Southwest Side (Beverly, Morgan Park, Mt. Greenwood) 19th Ward, faces a factional challenge from John Somerville, who got 42% in 2003. Arenda Troutman, who has served 16 years from the black South Side 20th Ward, is under indictment for taking bribes. Helen Shiller, who has served 20 years in the Uptown 46th Ward, is an unrecontrusted socialist who is fighting the gentrification of her ward, and the influx of the affluent, who are pushing out the poor -- her political base. Vi Daley, who has served 8 years in the Lincoln Park 43rd Ward, faces four foes, and will be ensnared in a runoff. And Joe Moore, the mayor's chief council critic, has served 16 years, and faces three less liberal, less anti-Daley foes. Three or more will lose. Full Article...
February 7, 2007
BANKS, DOHERTY REACT DIFFERENTLY TO '07 FOES
For Chicago aldermen, elections are an unavoidable occupational hazard. But opposition is an avoidable circumstance. The best opponent is no opponent. By raising vast amounts of campaign cash, or by winning overwhelming, opposition is discouraged. Failing that, an opponent can be knocked off the ballot. Aldermen Brian Doherty (41st) and Bill Banks (36th) react to their 2007 opposition differently: Doherty with disdain, and Banks with paranoia. Doherty won with 76%, 75% and 73% in the last three elections. He has no fear of opposition. He faces three foes in 2007, all of whom are running desultory campaigns. Banks has $831,207 in campaign cash, got nearly 10,000 nominating petition signatures, has an army of precinct workers, and had no opposition in 1995, 1999 and 2003. Yet he reacted to 2007 opposition like Chicken Little, with the sky falling. He knocked 3 of his 4 foes off the ballot, but still faces Nick Sposato. Banks will win. But he's sweating out whether it will be by 75% or 65%. Full Article...
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