Stone-Silverstein Race Gets Noticed
In what appears to the a battle royale, the Chicago Tribune has a piece today about Ira Silverstein's challenge to Ald. Stone for the Democratic Committeeman office:
Alderman challenged for key post
By Gary Washburn | Tribune staff reporter
August 22, 2007
State Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) has decided to run for 50th Ward Democratic committeeman, setting the stage for a battle with Ald. Bernard Stone (50th), Silverstein's longtime mentor and the ward's current party leader.
"I think people are looking for some change politically in the 50th," Silverstein said Tuesday. "There are groups that I think want to get involved in the political process, and I think we have to reach out to these groups and be inclusive."
Stone's reason that he should be re-elected is laughable: "When you deliver 80 percent of the vote to the Democratic Party as I have, I think that is a pretty good job." The 50th Ward is in the bottom third with the number of registered voters on its rolls. While outside groups have come in and registered voters, especially in Presidential years, Stone has always been hands off the details and responsibilities of a Democratic Committeeman. Apparently, he rarely shows up at Democratic Party meetings -- even when they are selecting a candidate.
What is fascinating about this article is that Committeeman races rarely get covered by the major media. But the Tribune seems to be saying that this is a top tier race, deserving of its coverage. That helps Ira. It recognizes that Ira is a credible candidate more than capable of taking Stone down.
Makes you wonder if Mike Noonan (or the Committeemen from the neighboring wards) is going to ride in on his white horse and save Stone a second time in a year.
posted by Jay @ 6:52 AM
38 comments
38 Comments:
"When you deliver 80 percent of the vote to the Democratic Party as I have ... "
does anybody know, what is Stone talking about?
80% of eligible voters?
80% of registered voters?
Is Stone trying to take credit that most people in the 50th ward vote Democratic as opposed to Republican?
Well I hope this time we can get rid of Stone. I'm curious why Silverstein backed the scoundrel for re-election as alderman, if he feels our ward needs change!
Hugh glad to see you how is your house. Been busy looking up more public records to then distort?
"Been busy looking up more public records to then distort?"
Public records don't lie ... that's the alderman's job.
Anonymous said...
"Been busy looking up more public records to then distort?"
Public records don't lie ... that's the alderman's job.
August 24, 2007 12:07 PM
When you take a public record and then add your own false, half truth, misinformed opinion to that record .. that distorts the truth.
Yeah, like HE said (anon August 27, 2007 7:44 AM)!
JUST BECAUSE Stone takes thousands of dollars from a developer who gets a lucrative zoning change - IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE IS A CONNECTION! It's just that Berny is a VERY charismatic man! People meet him and they can't help themselves - they just want to write him checks!
And JUST BECAUSE Stone's ward and Streets & San staff kick thousands of dollars of their taxpayer salaries back to Stone - IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE TO TO KEEP THEIR JOBS! It just means they love Berny!
Anonymous said...
Yeah, like HE said (anon August 27, 2007 7:44 AM)!
JUST BECAUSE Stone takes thousands of dollars from a developer who gets a lucrative zoning change - IT DOESN'T MEAN THERE IS A CONNECTION! It's just that Berny is a VERY charismatic man! People meet him and they can't help themselves - they just want to write him checks!
And JUST BECAUSE Stone's ward and Streets & San staff kick thousands of dollars of their taxpayer salaries back to Stone - IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY HAVE TO TO KEEP THEIR JOBS! It just means they love Berny!
August 27, 2007 12:35 PM
NOW WE HAVE COME FULL CIRCLE. AT FIRST I THOUGHT MOST POSTERS HERE JUT DONT GET IT, BUT NOW I THINK THEY GET IT BUT JUST CAN ACCEPT THE SIMPLE FACT AS FOLLOWS:
WHEN A PERSON WHO WORKS FOR A PUBLIC AGENCY GETS A PAY CHECK FOR THEIR JOB, HOW THEY SPEND THEIR MONY IS THEIR BUSINESS JUST LIKE WHEN HUGH, JAY OR ANYONE ELSE DOES WHO DOES NOT WORK FOR A PUBLIC AGENCY. IF THE PERSON WHO WORKS FOR A PUBLIC AGENCY WANT TO MAKE A POLITICAL DONATION THAT IS THEIR BUSINESS AND RIGHT JUST AS THE SAME FOR A PERSON WHO DOES NOT WORK FOR PUBLIC AGENCY.
HOWEVER HUGH AND A FEW OTHERS THINK THEY CAN PUBLISH THOSE PUBLIC RECORDS AND THEN MAKE A CONNECTION FROM THOSE DONATION WITH A RUDE INSULTING AND UNIFORMED OPINION THAT IT MUST BE A KICK BACK THAT THOSE WHO WORK FOR A PUBLIC AGENCY AND MAKE A DONATION.
IT MY MONEY AND I CHOOSE HOW I SPEND IT. (NO THIS IS NOT CAPSMAN)
I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HUGH OR ANYONE ELSE WHO HOLD THIS BELIEVE TO PULISH THEIR BANK ACCOUNTS AND LETS SEE WHERE THERE CHECKS AGO.
I FIRST SAW THIS CRAP A YEAR AGO ON THIS BLOG AND NOW IT COMES UP AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE YOU CHECKONG ACCOUNT INFORMATION SO WE CAN SEE WHERE YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY.
(NO THIS IS NOT CAPSMAN)
you sure write like capsman
Looks like CAPSMAN. Acts like CAPSMAN. It's simple to assume that it is CAPSMAN!
I don't see why you can't understand this. Outside of Chicago, it is not common to see city employees contribute such large sums to city council members.
Given the history of corruption, and the ongoing investigations of corruption, in Chicago, no one can be blamed if they assume that extraordinarily large contributions from city employees are kick-backs. These contributions defy other explanations, and it's unseemly.
That taxpayers don't want their tax monies going into the campaign coffers of city officials should be simple to understand. They should have to raise money just like everyone else. Our taxes should go to things that benefit the people and the public good, not elected officials.
WHEN A PERSON WHO WORKS FOR A PUBLIC AGENCY GETS A PAY CHECK FOR THEIR JOB, HOW THEY SPEND THEIR MONY IS THEIR BUSINESS ...
IF THE PERSON WHO WORKS FOR A PUBLIC AGENCY WANT TO MAKE A POLITICAL DONATION THAT IS THEIR BUSINESS AND RIGHT
YEAH! Just like HE said! (anon August 28, 2007 7:47 AM)
In fact, Let's take some SPECIFIC EXAMPLES!
Alan Crown
"Legislative aid" to Alderman Stone since 3/1/02
Paid out of Stone's Vice Mayoral patronage fund
Salary
Year Monthly Annual
2003 $4881 $58,572
2004 $4881 $58,572
2005 $4881 $58,572 1st half
2005 $5180 $62,160 2nd half
2006 $5283 $63,396 1st half
2006 $5402 $64,824 2nd half
Crown, Alan
70XX N. Kedzie
To Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
$1,000.00 8/25/2006
$1,000.00 5/20/2005
$1,000.00 6/4/2004
$1,000.00 6/17/2003
$1,500.00 1/17/2003
$1,000.00 5/30/2002
To the Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
Bernard L. Stone, Chairman
Ilana Feketitsch, Treasurer
$1,000.00 8/25/2006
$1,000.00 5/20/2005
$1,000.00 6/4/2004
$1,000.00 6/17/2003
$1,000.00 5/31/2002
$500.00 6/12/2001
$500.00 6/6/2000
These THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS in kick-backs to Stone-Feketitsch are ABSOLUTELY NO ONE'S BUSINESS BUT the STONES & CROWN!
It's a SIMPLE FACT!
Yeah! Just like HE said! (anon August 28, 2007 7:47 AM)
Anyone who publishes these public records is RUDE, INSULTING, and UNIFORMED!
Jay Said
I don't see why you can't understand this. Outside of Chicago, it is not common to see city employees contribute such large sums to city council members
What information do you have to back up this assumption?
Jay Also said
That taxpayers don't want their tax monies going into the campaign coffers of city officials should be simple to understand. They should have to raise money just like everyone else. Our taxes should go to things that benefit the people and the public good, not elected officials
When the paycheck arrives to the employee it may have been tax dallors but it is now the employees pay to choose how and what they spend it on. The public has no right to say or expect how a person spends their paycheck.
The public may be able to view how and from whom a canidates raise their $$$ but thats it.
A Public employees has no fewer or more rights than any other employee but here Jay you want to add limits.
There's no argument that public employees can spend their salaries any way they choose. But this isn't a question about choice. It's a question of whether they have a choice.
It is illegal to contribute to federal candidates in the name of another. Bribery is obviously illegal. The system of kickbacks from public employees is basically the same thing.
I happen to disagree with the poster who brought up Mr. Crown. Crown is a political appointee. When Stone is gone, I'd assume that Crown will be gone, too. I don't make that same assumption about public employees. They are supposed to be hired on the basic of merit, not patronage, and serve the public, not a patron. That they could be coerced into contributing to a political patron is disturbing and reeks of corruption...
Anyone who publishes these public records is RUDE, INSULTING, and UNIFORMED!
And the WORST is - the Illinois State Board of Elections!
Their web site publishes THOUSANDS of campaign contributions! Many from PUBLIC SERVANTS! In Chicago!
They should be BANNED!
"I happen to disagree with the poster who brought up Mr. Crown. Crown is a political appointee. When Stone is gone, I'd assume that Crown will be gone, too. I don't make that same assumption about public employees."
Just because Alan Crown is Shackman exempt doesn't mean he's not a public employee. He is a city employee, paid by taxpayers, supposedly doing a job for the people of Chicago. Legal or not, it is unethical for elected officials to seek political contribution from their staff.
Legal or not, it is unethical for elected officials to seek political contribution from their staff.
Yeah! Just like HE said! It would be DEPLORABLE for Stone to solicit cash from one of his patronage appointees!
Imagine, an alderman DEMANDING kick-backs from a women working on a secretary's salary! That would be DISGUSTING!
That's why he DOESN'T! His patronage flunkies give him money because they LOVE him! It's their RIGHT!
And that's the SIMPLE TRUTH!
Novak, Arlene
70XX N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60645
Occupation: Secretary, 50th Ward office
Employer: City of Chicago
Since: 4/17/1995
Monthly salary: $3,593.00
To Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee:
$1,000.00 1/18/2007
$500.00 1/21/2003
$100.00 1/16/2003
$175.00 9/16/1999
To the Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
Bernard L. Stone, Chairman
Ilana Feketitsch, Treasurer
$500.00 8/24/2006
$500.00 8/1/2006
$200.00 4/7/2005
$500.00 4/7/2005
$175.00 5/21/2004
$500.00 5/20/2004
$175.00 5/9/2003
$500.00 5/9/2003
$175.00 5/7/2002
$500.00 5/7/2002
$175.00 4/2/2001
$500.00 3/19/2001
$175.00 5/9/2000
$500.00 5/9/2000
$150.00 2/4/2000
Of course, some asshole could POST the schedule of payments on some blog somewhere, and DISTORT the record, and make it LOOK LIKE some kind of kick-back scheme! But that would be RUDE and INSULTING!
P.T. Baer said...
"I happen to disagree with the poster who brought up Mr. Crown. Crown is a political appointee. When Stone is gone, I'd assume that Crown will be gone, too. I don't make that same assumption about public employees."
Just because Alan Crown is Shackman exempt doesn't mean he's not a public employee. He is a city employee, paid by taxpayers, supposedly doing a job for the people of Chicago. Legal or not, it is unethical for elected officials to seek political contribution from their staff.
August 29, 2007 4:30 PM
If anyone on a appointed or civil service public employee choose to donate to a elected official that this there business. It may have to be reported but beyond that it is none of your business!!!! if it was a free choice.
It's none of your business if Stone's secretary wants to give him THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS! NONE! It's HER CHOICE!
If an appointed or civil service public employee choose to donate to a elected official that this there business.
even when that elected official is the one what did the appointing???
Anonymous said...
If an appointed or civil service public employee choose to donate to a elected official that this there business.
even when that elected official is the one what did the appointing???
August 30, 2007 6:59 PM
Yes it is that person business. So do you happen to donate to a cause that your boss likes?
Hey Hugh could you break into the IRS computers and post what donation JS Jay made and to whom. The bottom line here is that because political donations are public informormation you get a peek at what private citizens do with their money. What you dont get is to see what everyone else does with their money when donating to causes.
What you have no right to do is put sny more standards on public employee then are put on anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!
you dont get is to see what everyone else does with their money
What you have no right to do is put sny more standards on public employee then are put on anyone else!!!!!!!!!!!!
YEAH! Like HE said!
Paying your boss to keep your job is THE NEW NORMAL!
EVERYONE does it!
Why should PUBLIC employees be prevented from paying kick-backs to their bosses to keep their jobs?
Patronage appointees have a RIGHT to pay off their boss!
It's in the CONSTITUTION!
what's the POINT of having a bunch of people reporting to you if you can't get a little taste of their salaries?
Some losers would like at a pattern of generosity like this, and automatically think the WORST!
Stone's patronage hires have the RIGHT to do WHATEVER THEY WANT with their hard-earned taxpayer-funded salaries, INCLUDING RE-ELECTING the guy what got them that taxpayer-funded salary!
It's in the FIRST AMENDMENT!
It's NOT kick-backs! Its' LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! You HATERS don't understand that!
To
Bernard L. Stone Campaign Committee
or
Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
Bernard L. Stone, Chairman
Ilana Feketitsch, Treasurer
Chakchay, Joe
63XX N. Kedzie Ave.
Chicago, IL 60659
On the City payroll as a $4,722.00/month
"Legislative Aide" to Stone since 2/15/01,
but works as Stone's chauffeur/man
$200.00 3/6/2007
$300.00 10/25/2006
$600.00 6/22/2005
$300.00 6/6/2003
$500.00 6/4/2004
$175.00 4/23/2002
Chakchay, Alexander
(same address)
on the City payroll as $29.15/hour
"MOTOR TRUCK DRIVER" since 2/18/2001,
but works as Stone's "zoning expert"
$200.00 3/6/2007
$300.00 10/25/2006
$100.00 2/9/2000
$100.00 3/28/2000
$100.00 6/6/2000
$100.00 6/9/2000
It's NOBODY'S business but THEIRS & STONE's if 2 city employees want to swap jobs & paychecks. What is it to YOU?
As long as the HARD WORK of the WARD gets done!
You want Berny driving HIMSELF around the neighborhood? Is that that you want? He's OLD!
You must be NUTS if you think you can buy a City job for a few hundred bucks a year! Do you really think Stone can be bought that CHEAP?
The title here is STONE Silverstein
Not who gives who money. can we stick to the topic at hand???
The topic is THE CONTITUTIONAL RIGHT of PUBLIC EMPLOYEES to purchase employment in a free & open market place!
Let's take another specific example of public employees exercising their RIGHT to pay off the guy that hired them with recently public payroll money!
Roti-Walz, Mary Ann
2935 S. Canal, in the Family's Chinatown 'hood
Chicago, IL 60645 (sic?)
City Council employee since the earth cooled
$4,656.00/month "Legislative aid" to Stone since he inherited her along with the Building Committee from pal Freddie when Freddie took an extended unscheduled vacation to South Dakota in 1992
paid out of Stone's Vice Mayor patronage slush fund
$200.00 1/31/2007 to the Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
Husband John Walz, former City employee
2935 S. Canal
Chicago, IL 60616
$200.00 9/12/2006
$500.00 6/7/2001
to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
$250.00 6/3/2005
$500.00 5/27/2004
to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
It's THEIR RIGHT!
She works HARD for that money! Well, we're not sure exactly doing WHAT, but she SHOWS UP, most days!
SO WHAT if she prefers to pay her rabbi in her husband's name? That's THEIR CHIOCE! Its NO ONE'S BUSINESS BUT THEIRS!
LOTS of people in Chinatown give to Berny! Berny is VERY POPULAR with the crew in the old neighborhood! Berny is CHICAGO'S ALDERMAN! THAT'S A FACT!
THIS is the
"Stone-Silverstein Race Gets Noticed" !!!!!
Blog not who gives Berny Money. Who gives a shit anyway he is the alderman
LOL
"THIS is the 'Stone-Silverstein Race Gets Noticed' !!!!! Blog not who gives Berny Money."
Believe me, these two subjects go hand in hand (or hand in pocket). To hold on to his committeeman job, Bernie needs to squeeze a little harder for that last drop of juice. His staff is tapped out. Time to lean on the developers and shopkeepers once again. At least the health and building inspectors will have something to do.
Stop IMPLYING that Stone "shakes down" his staff for cash! I'm sure there is SOMEONE who works in one of Stone's patronage slots that doesn't kick back, even if I can't THINK of one right now!
Lerman, Alex
31XX W. Chase
Chicago, IL 60645
"staff assistant" to Stone since 11/1/1993 $4,469.00/mo
$53,628.000/yr
$150.00 2/28/2007 to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
$200.00 1/23/2007 to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
$200.00 5/9/2006 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
$200.00 4/19/2005 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
$175.00 6/1/2004 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
PAGE after PAGE of posts of money to Stone from his staff. It's BORING!
I guess your pretty dumb, his committeeman job is a non paying position, and the days of getting jobs as a committeeman is over...
LOL
"I guess your [sic] pretty dumb, his committeeman job is a non paying position, and the days of getting jobs as a committeeman is [sic] over..."
But what else does committeeman do? Isn't he the one who appoints a replacement (with the mayor's approval) if the current alderman steps down? Why would Stone be interested in keeping that authority? I thought he was planning to stay in office until he's 90.
Here's YET ANOTHER example of how public records can be DISTORTED!
LUPU, LILLIAN
STAFF ASST TO ALDERMAN Stone
since 1/2/1997
$4,150.00 taxpayer dollars per month
$49,800.00 taxpayer dollars per year
Lupu, Harvey
29XX W. Estes
Chicago, IL 60645
$500.00 8/8/2006 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
$500.00 5/27/2005 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
$500.00 6/18/2004 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
$500.00 6/6/2003 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
$500.00 1/16/2003 to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
$500.00 5/10/2002 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
$500.00 6/1/2001 to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
$500.00 5/19/2000 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
I KNOW what you're thinking! It looks BAD! But it's NOT! It's just that Harvey is VERY, VERY GRATEFUL to Berny for giving his wife somewhere to go, to get out of the house! In fact, he is THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS GRATEFUL! That's all! There's nothing wrong with a patronage hire contributing to their boss! SO WHAT if it is in the husband's name? IT'S NOT ILLEGAL!
You're NEVER too young to exercise your constitutional RIGHT to express your LOVE for your unc for getting your mom the heck OUT of the house!
Feketitsch, Felicia
29XX W. Sherwin
$400.00 2/7/2007 to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
Feketitsch, Tanya
29XX W. Sherwin
$400.00 2/7/2007 to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
SO WHAT if that LOVE only SEEMS to express itself when a close election looms, threatening mommsie's livelihood? It doesn't take anything away!
Of course some rude, insulting, uninformed persons will attempt to DISTORT the public record, claiming these are SURROGATE contributions from someone who is too ashamed to make the donations in their own name! But NOTHING could be further from the TRUTH!
We need MORE young people to get involved in local politics!
You don't HAVE to give Stone cash to work in the 50th Ward, but it doesn't HURT!
Eapen, Anish
2050 W. Devon
Chicago, IL 60645
Occupation: Street and Sanitation
Employer: City of Chicago
50th WARD SUPERINTENDENT
since 1/28/1998
$6,482.00 taxpayer dollars/mo.
$77,784.00 taxpayer dollars/yr.
$2,000.00 1/16/2004 to Bernard L Stone Campaign Committee
Grace Printing
2050 W. Devon
Chicago, IL 60659
$1,000.00 3/11/2002 to Democratic Club of the 50th Ward
I'm sure there's LOTS of Stone's patronage appointees who have NEVER given money to Stone! Would someone please post a list of them, maybe it will shut this guy up?
I, for one, would love to see a list of Stone's patronage workers who have never given him money.
ok, forget the list
there must be SOMEONE who works for Stone who has not contributed to him, right?
anyone?
Post a Comment
<< Home