The Tribune editorial board recently invited candidates for citywide offices to complete endorsement questionnaires. They were asked for their views on all kinds of weighty issues.
The last question was a little different: “Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.”
Here are the candidates, the offices they seek, and their responses:
I like motorcycles.
Carol Moseley Braun, mayor
I am an ordained minister.
Patricia Horton, city clerk
I had the honor of skydiving with the elite U.S. Army Golden Knights.
Susana A. Mendoza, city clerk
I was once named Most Valuable Player of an intramural football team. Don’t let my smile fool you; I am tougher than I look.
Genita C. Robinson, 2nd Ward alderman
While working as a lifeguard at Hollywood-Ardmore beach in the 1980s I once pulled a “floater” out of Lake Michigan.
James A. Bosco, 2nd
I am an occasional “old-school” DJ, specializing in funk music (Cameo, Parliament, Slave, etc.), primarily at home with friends.
Roderick T. Sawyer, 6th
I wanted to be a superhero all my life. I have dreamed of saving mankind from evil and wanted to, hypothetically speaking, “SAVE THE DAY.” I’ve mentored, marched for injustice, fed the hungry, stopped crime and helped catch villains. It might sound childish but that’s why I compare myself to GREAT men like Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Barack Obama, and, of course, Superman.
Faheem Shabazz, 8th
As a child, I had a skin disorder. I vividly remember the nickname that I was assigned by other children, which was “Disease.” As a result, very few children played with me for fear of contracting my “disease.” I remember conversations I had with my mom related to these incidents. I also recall a feel-good method that she taught me. She would request my papers for school that day and have me to focus on my grades. She would also require that I clap my hands and verbally applaud myself for my achievements. Did this method really help my situation as a child? It certainly did! At the age of 66, I continue to clap my hands and applaud myself for personal achievements attained.
Bertha F. Starks, 8th
I have a twin brother who served 20 years in the U.S. Navy. With a busy aldermanic schedule, having a twin really comes in handy sometimes … just kidding.
John A. Pope, 10th
I make great guacamole.
Alberto Bocanegra Jr., 12th
I voted against Rod Blagojevich for governor every time his name appeared on my ballot.
Matthew J. O’Shea, 19th
I hate cold Chicago winters so I’ve taught my dog to run beside me on the treadmill so we don’t have to go outside in the cold.
George E. Davis, 20th
I’m probably the only person to come from the Robert Taylor Homes who has attended deep-sea diving school.
Andre Smith, 20th
I am a semipro bowler.
Ambrosio “Ambi” Medrano Jr., 25th
I was made a member of the Akamba tribe of Kenya while in the Peace Corps. But first I hitchhiked across the Kalahari Desert, occasionally ate goat’s head, and rafted the Zambezi River with crocodiles. I like that kind of action.
Scott Waguespack, 32th
I hate litter and have not littered since the age of 14 when I worked as a laborer in the Department of Streets and Sanitation.
Shanika J. Finley, 37th
I took Ald. (Brian) Doherty (41st) to my senior prom.
Maurita E. Gavin, 41st
I have a Bronze Star for administrative abilities as the battle major for Combined Forces Command Afghanistan-Operations Section.
Brock Merck, 41st
I once went by the nickname, “Cinnabon John.” Before joining the Chicago Police Department, I worked for Restaurants Unlimited and I traveled around the country assisting in the opening of Cinnabon Bakeries. Nobody could roll out a dozen cinnamon rolls faster and maintain the quality demanded by the company than I; thus the nickname Cinnabon John.
John Garrido, 45th
Many people assume that because I am an Ethiopian immigrant, I must be a soccer enthusiast. Actually, I have fallen in love with American baseball and I am a Cubs fan.
Befekadu T. Retta, 46th
I am the founding president of the Illinois Gay Rodeo Association.
Don Nowotny, 46th
I used to produce and direct Shrine Circuses at various state fairs (including Illinois’), county fairs, festivals (as well as the circus at Summerfest in Milwaukee) all across the United States for many years. Often, I would perform as the “ring mistress.”
Diane Shapiro, 46th
I am the first Chinese-American running for alderman.
Andy W. Lam, 46th
Meryl Streep and I were college classmates and occasional bridge partners.
Scott Baskin, 46th
I once knocked Michael Jordan to the floor in a pick-up basketball game. He still scored the winning basket, however.
Brian White, 49th
