Archive for the ‘Elections’ Category

New GWNA Board and Upcoming Events

Posted in Elections, Meetings, News/Announcements on April 9, 2012| Leave a Comment »

A lot of stuff flying around these days, but wanted to get a quick post on the GWNA board elections and a menu money survey.

We’ve also got a meet and greet and a clean and green (and, quite possibly, other rhyming events, if our thesaurus behaves).

GWNA Elections

Graceland-Wilson Neighbors Association elected a new board at the March 8 meeting.  We’re proud to introduce our new board members:

  • Chris Korn—President
  • Carolyn Lewis—Vice President I (Liaison to Truman College)
  • Katharine Boyda—Vice President II (Communications & Public Relations)
  • Max Reising—Treasurer
  • Vacant—Secretary

Committee Chairs:

  • Julie Emerick—Community Gardens
  • Dean Winn—Wilson El Station Renovation & Transportation
  • Pat Reuter—Communications & Public Relations
  • Julianne Scherer—Parks & Public Spaces
  • Vacant—Crime & Community Safety

Survey:  What to do with the Alderman’s Menu Money?

Every year, each alderman receives $1.3 million to spend on ward infrastructure projects.  Alderman Cappleman  has asked for block clubs’ input on what their neighborhoods want. Money can be spent on items such as:

  • Street lights
  • Alley resurfacing and lights
  • Street improvements such as sewer improvements, curb cuts, pedestrian markings

Please let GWNA and our alderman know what you think; take the survey now:  http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/8WPG5MC

It’ll only take 5 minutes to complete and your input will be invaluable.  Also, please forward it on to your neighbors.

This survey will help the alderman prioritize what projects will be completed in 2012.  Results will be tallied and shared with the alderman and GWNA members in early May.

Thanks!

Meet your Neighbors at Driftwood: Thursday, April 19th at 6:30PM

Our next gathering will be a fun social event on Thursday, April 19:

WHEN: Thursday, April 19, 6:30 to 8:30 PM
WHERE:  Driftwood; 1021 W Montrose

Please come out to say “hello” — and also invite your neighbors!

Clean & Green, Saturday, April 21st at 9:00AM

Time to pretty-up the ‘hood.  Join folks throughout the city to make an immediate difference in the Uptown by volunteering your time and effort to help beautify, clean up and improve the neighborhood.

Susan Ridihalgh will be heading up the festivities and will be handing supplies out in Sunnyside Mall on or around 9AM.  Please come by and lend a hand!

Look forward to seeing everyone; thanks!

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Final Vote for Aldermanic Run-off Today!

Posted in Elections on April 5, 2011| Leave a Comment »

It’s your last chance.

Two final candidates to choose, separated by only 5 votes last time around.

Only one shall remain by 7 PM tonight.

Polling places can be found here.

Your vote will count; do it.

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46th Ward Election Part II — The Runoff

Posted in Elections, News/Announcements on March 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »

As everyone around these parts should know by now, our aldermanic election on February 22nd produced two run-off candidates.  After the 13,906 votes were cast, we ended up with a statistical tie for first, James Cappleman had 2732 votes to Molly Phelan’s 2727.  Never a dull moment in Uptown…

OK, time to get informed; here are the important bits (note that The 46th Ward Great Debate is the one GWNA is co-sponsoring with other block clubs):

EARLY VOTE!

Early voting has already begun and is offered Monday-Saturday at Truman College (from 9AM – 5PM).

ON-TIME VOTE!

You can vote at your own precinct location on April 5th (just about two weeks from today).  Your polling place can be found here.

VIDEO DEBATE!

There have been at least three video interviews/debates between Cappleman and Phelan.  Check ’em out:

LIVE DEBATE!

You’ve got four opportunities to check out the candidates live, going toe-to-toe.  It’s free, more entertaining than watching TV reruns and likely to earn you your civics badge.  Check ’em out:

GO TIME!

Phew.  That’s a lot of info.  But, then again, this is a once in a lifetime chance to elect a non-incumbent alderman.  Dare I say, it’s very much worth your time to invest in this; it is your community after all.

Please learn about these two candidates and then get out and vote (early and often)!

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Vote!

Posted in Elections on February 22, 2011| Leave a Comment »

It’s your last chance.

Eleven 46th ward aldermanic candidates now.

Only one or two by 7 PM tonight.

Polling places can be found here.

Do it.

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Community Calendar: Election Info, CAPS & the Wilson El

Posted in CAPS, Elections, Meetings, News/Announcements on January 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »

Lots and lots of community meetings coming up in the very near future. Most of them relate to the upcoming aldermanic elections, with an opportunity to meet and interact with the candidates.

If you have the time, it’d be well worth attending one of more of these events:

Also, Mercy Housing-Lakefront is presenting multiple aldermanic candidate forums throughout January and February.  Click here for more information.  Here’s the lineup:

  • Thursday, January 13 – Diane Shapiro
  • Thursday, January 20 – Don Nowotny
  • Thursday, January 27 – James Cappleman
  • Tuesday, February 1 – Andy Lam
  • Thursday, February 3 – Michael Carroll
  • Tuesday, February 8 – Befekadu Retta
  • Thursday, February 10 – Emily Stewart
  • Tuesday, February 15 – Molly Phelan

Thanks in advance for taking part in our community!

Update 1/19/2011:  Added the link to “The Great Debate” on 1/29/2011.

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Meet the 46th Ward Aldermanic Candidates

Posted in Elections, News/Announcements on December 27, 2010| 1 Comment »

The city of Chicago elections are coming up in less than two months (2/22/2011)!!!  If you haven’t familiarized yourself with the field for alderman yet, now is the time to do so.  To that end, a couple places to start:

First, Mary Dombrowski, one of our block club members, will be holding events where you can meet some of the 46th Ward candidates for Alderman in a small group setting.  Here’s the schedule:

January 9

  • Michael Carroll – 11am-noon
  • James Cappelman – 1-2pm

January 23

  • Molly Phelan – 11am-noon
  • Emily Stewart – 1-2pm

Please see the information below for details and contact Mary directly for directions:

“Candidates will give brief opening remarks on why they are running; the bulk of the time will be spent with individuals asking the candidates questions.  Space is limited. Attendees need to RSVP to me via email (dombrowski.mary@gmail.com) or phone (773.426.2182) with their full name, address and phone number. I live on Magnolia between Wilson and Sunnyside; my exact address will be provided to confirmed attendees.  We will provide some beverages and light snacks.  Due to the limited space, please keep the distribution limited to our neighborhood group.  Sincerely, Mary Dombrowski”

Secondly, the Uptown Neighborhood Council (UNC) held Aldermanic forums over the past few months and now have videos and written questionnaires online for those who couldn’t attend.  Please see the information below for details:

“Who do you believe is the best candidate? Who will get your vote?  Between now and the 2-22-2011 election, our intention is to provide fair and thoughtful information on the candidates.

Thanks to Corbin Smith for taking the initiative to video-tape the forums.  We’ll share future videos on the candidates and residents over the next few months.  You can watch the candidate video clips now by clicking on 46thward.blip.tv, then click on Episode Archive in the upper right hand corner.

What do the candidates have to say about cleaning up crime? Rehabbing the Wilson El station?  Reviving the 46 Ward’s retail streets?  All the key questions asked by UNC members are covered.  You can check out the written responses posted on the candidates’ websites.  Questions were sent to the seven forum candidates—the five responses we received are linked:

* Andy Lam
* Emily Stewart
* Molly Phelan
* James Cappleman
* Befekadu Retta

Please share the candidate information with your 46 ward neighbors and friends.  Informed voters make smart choices.  We look forward to the countdown, keeping you informed, And electing a new alderman!  Katharine Boyda, UNC President”

As we get word of further meet and greets, debates, etc., we’ll do our best to keep you posted.

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