Preparations and sound checks are in progress in preparation for the big New Years party at the Mayne Stage.The Rogers Park condo inventory grew explosively during the past decade. In May of 2008 a block-by-block survey of Rogers Park surfaced 48 active condo conversions and new construction projects. Most of those projects have since failed.
- Joe Zekas
As a result, in part, of the city of Chicago’s byzantine election laws we were unsuccessful in remaining on the ballot but we will remain in the RACE! I decided to continue our campaign on your behalf. This campaign is about serving all the people all the time.
JUST WRITE ME IN –BLANE ROBERTS!
Our elected officials have used such election laws to disenfranchise the citizenry by “gotcha” and “Machine-Style” politics that only benefits the incumbents and their quest to remain in power at our expense.
It also benefits the lawyers and in the end we all suffer by allowing the same ineffective leaders to remain in office. Our elected officials have not requested a review and reform of such laws or their application. This is a classic example of politicians using our tax dollars to keep them in office instead of facing the voters with other challengers.
They call themselves “progressive” as only a marketing tool to get votes. You may call it politics as usual but it is also called denial of ballot access and it is WRONG! How progressive can this be? Our Alderman in the 49th Ward has used such laws to benefit him by using surrogates such as Jason T. Olsen, backed by LaSalle Street law firms, in a cowardly move to reduce competition and choice. You have to ask yourself, what are they afraid of? Well, they are afraid of you, the average VOTER! This is why I have called for term limits and political reform.
Demand of our elected officials to review and change such election laws and their application in the spirit of true democracy! Let’s expose this abuse of power! Look what it has given us thus far.
- Blane Roberts
We all know about the dangers of drunken driving. But have you heard about the hazards of drunken walking?
I denounce the machine-style tactics by the current alderman. We must speak out against strong arm tactics designed to disenfranchise the residents of the 49th Ward by attempting to eliminate debate and discussion.
The Alderman claims he is for diversity of ideas, debate and participation! Apparently he is for these principles only if it serves him. That has been his 20 year record and it is time to vote for some one who can serve all the people all the time, even when it may be inconvenient. It is called democracy!
I call on community leaders, activist, residents, the press and all fair minded people to demand this alderman cease and desist!!
- Blane Roberts
Unity in the Community event:
I was sadly reminded of the continued violence that is griping our community and impacting our quality of life. It happened in police beat 2431, Morse and Farwell area, this morning. I am outraged that we have not shown effective leadership in this area.
The gun violence in our community appears to getting worse and still we have no comprehensive plan. I call on all community leaders not to be reactionary but engage the youth of our community on a level beyond the police department. We must not allow this to continue to spiral out of control!
There will be no quick fix to this violence but surely we must have long term strategies that are effective. Our community needs strong leadership and we need it now. Some suggest that Rogers Park does not have a crime or gang problem. I am here to tell you, sadly, the elephant has been in the room for as long as I can remember. Why haven’t we done better? Everyone can and must do better! Regardless of what happens in the campaign everybody owes it to our community to be a part of the solution.
- Blane Roberts
