In case of emergency
When I was teaching, I used to ask my students what they would do if they needed emergency surgery. Would they want the nicest doctor? The fastest? The best? I always received some real eye-opening answers to that one. So, in the same vein, since the city of Chicago is sick, I’ve evaluated the doctors who say they are the ones to operate.
Rahm Emanuel:
Smart. Experienced in handling a crisis. Proven track record. Tough and unflinching. All business. Doesn’t want to be my best friend.
Gery Chico:
Seems capable for the job, but, instead of saying what he will do, spends all of his time telling us how much Emanuel will charge for the operation.
Carol Moseley Braun:
When asked what she will do to heal the patient, she smiles constantly and says she’ll decide what to do when she gets into the operating room and asks if I’ve ever been to New Zealand and would I like a 50-cent coupon for some organic tea.
Miguel del Valle:
Seems like the nicest of the bunch. Shows real concern for the patient. However, he has the least flashy office of the group and hasn’t ever been called upon to do this kind of task.
Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins:
Moseley Braun said she was high on crack somewhere and not to bother with her.
William “Dock” Walls:
Doesn’t look or act like a real physician, but his name
is
“Doc(k).”
The choice is a no-brainer. This emergency surgery demands Emanuel.
— J. Farrell, Batavia
Carol, meet Carol
Carol Moseley Braun! Of course I’m endorsing her! She is the woman and
she is my namesake!
— Carol Herzenberg, Chicago
Proven record
Experience in Congress or in a staff position does not qualify someone for a leadership role. Nor does having friends in high places, endorsing him and funding his campaign. Emanuel’s motto (“Never let a serious crisis go to waste”) is a mockery of good government. He refuses to participate in many of the candidate forums. How is that for arrogance? His proposed tax on services will not just be on private jets and limos. Think hairdressers, health clubs, auto repair shops, taxis, plumbers, parking lots, etc.
Look at a candidate’s record, not his or her commercials. A leader is generally chosen for his or her proven performance.
Chico has served as president of Chicago Public Schools, president of the Chicago Park District, chairman of Chicago City Colleges, general counsel to the Chicago Development Council, chief of staff to Mayor Richard Daley and he has been the head of a major Chicago law firm.
Chico has the proven experience in Chicago along with the leadership ability, vision, judgment and character to be the next leader in our city.
— Robert F. Hirsch, Chicago
I endorse del Valle. He is a very humble, modest person and hardworking. He makes a living just like me and my family and friends. I have seen del Valle hustle during city sticker time; he is out there on the floor making sure everyone is serviced. I truly believe that with Emanuel or Chico we will have the same stuff going on as with the Daley administration. It’s time for change. Let’s take a chance on making change!
— Maria Rodriguez, Chicago
Vote for Walls
Williams Walls is my choice for mayor.
He is a real Chicagoan, a product of our public schools.
He was mentored by Mayor Harold Washington.
He has a plan to create jobs, reduce the city’s debt and integrate the Chicago Police Department.
He supports term limits for the mayor. He supports an elected school board.
He is not bought or bossed.
He is not afraid.
— Bruce Crosby, Chicago
Can’t do better
My endorsement goes to Chico for the simple reason that he is the most qualified candidate by far. He knows City Hall inside and out. His plans for education are practical and achievable.
— Paul Julian, Chicago
I’m endorsing Emanuel. He’s adept at setting clear goals and determining the appropriate means to accomplish these goals. He has a proven record of passing vital legislation in all positions held and appears to fully appreciate the current financial constraints of Chicago. Although from the Chicago area, he does not appear tainted by or beholden to the long line of politicos controlling the system. Finally, he’s savvy, highly energetic and possesses a no-nonsense attitude necessary to move this city forward
— Lorraine Klabunde, Chicago
Just like Harold
Miguel del Valle comes close to walking in the footsteps of Harold Washington. Please vote for him.
— Dr. Alfred D. Klinger, Chicago
I endorse del Valle. We need to turn a new page in the history of this great city and elect a mayor who is fair. A mayor who is for the people, no matter their race, sex, religion or economic standing. A mayor who will end pay-to-play politics and patronage that is robbing this city and its taxpayers of revenue, of innovation, of democracy and of accountability.
— Dr. Lora Chamberlain, Chicago
For the future
Emanuel is the only candidate who has shown an understanding of the reality of problems that face Chicago and demonstrates the political will to address them. His proposal to reduce the regressive sales tax that equally impacts the poorest and the wealthiest among us and replace the needed income with a tax on “luxury services,” which are indulged by those of us with substantial discretionary income is a beginning in addressing the problems brought about by wealth disparity in this city. His opponents’ characterization of this as an “additional tax” is disingenuous at best, showing a lack of understanding of the needs of the very population whose support he is seeking. Emanuel’s realistic understanding of the economic reality that is Chicago is best evidenced by his proposals addressing education: It is our schools that will provide the work force that will attract 21st century service industries. His initiative to educate the children of the thousands of undocumented immigrants who come to this city who are left in educational limbo and become unproductive underemployed youths by establishing a local DREAM Act is a realistic response that will turn an acknowledged social problem into an economic opportunity for this city. If Chicago is to remain a vital economic engine in the Midwest, it must benefit by educating its growing population of children of immigrants.
Emanuel is the only candidate who has addressed the needs of the youngest Americans as well as the economic needs of this city.
—
Pastora San Juan Cafferty, Chicago
Chico made millions from his contacts with the city. Emanuel made millions as an investment banker with the help of President Clinton.
Is this the way we want to choose our mayor? Should we elect the one with the most money to spend telling us how he’ll stand for the citizens of Chicago or one who is a real citizen of Chicago, the one without vacation homes in Scottsdale, Ariz., Grand Beach, Mich., or Beverly Shores, Ind.?
Miguel del Valle lives in a neighborhood bungalow and has been a good and faithful servant for years.
—
Timothy D. O’Reilly, Chicago
Best resume
We’re preparing to make a very important hire. We have some good applicants but most are light on experience with Chicago government or, in fact, any municipal government. Some of their names are familiar. But, fellow voters, that will not be nearly enough.
Let’s hire our next mayor the way we would hire anybody, by making as certain as possible that we select the person most thoroughly qualified and experienced to perform the job functions. Let’s carefully consider their resumes and not simply guess that any candidate is qualified by dint of association with Congress or the White House. Let’s not settle for platitudes spoken from the campaign stage. Let’s not permit the job of mayor to become the outplacement job for someone eased out of the White House or incapable of operating one small business enterprise.
Who has the leadership, management, administrative and negotiation skills, the honesty and strength of character, the experience required to run our city?
Gery Chico has worked with our local education, transportation, parks, firefighters and police force. He knows our world-class city. He is the best-qualified candidate for this job.
Let’s hire him.
— Jacki Miranda, Chicago
Miguel del Valle. He’s just an honest, hardworking man, pulling no punches and blowing no smoke.
— E. Wendell Hopewell, Chicago
Emanuel. With all of the newcomers expected in the next City Council, the mayor’s seat better be occupied by someone tough enough to handle rookies who want to showboat and make a name for themselves.
Dan Maxime, Las Vegas
Although I have not agreed with everything Mayor Daley has done, I believe he should receive a lot of credit for the fact that Chicago is a world-class city. At this critical time in Chicago’s history we need someone who isn’t just qualified, but overqualified. Someone with an abundance of experience and contacts. Someone who has taken on very big challenges and has been very effective in those endeavors. Someone who is passionate about the city, smart, tireless, honest, and maybe, at this point in time, tenacious. I can not think of anyone who is better suited to be our next mayor than Rahm Emanuel.
— Leopoldo E.
Ramirez, Chicago
Neighborhood tales
After careful review of the mayoral candidates I have decided to cast my vote for Emanuel for the following reasons:
As a 20-year resident of various neighborhoods on the South Side, I have experienced a marked deterioration in my quality of life due to gang activity and increased crime. In the last two months, I have observed two robberies on the Green Line elevated train; I have observed gang members openly selling drugs in front of my alderman’s office; I have lost track of the number of times that I have called the police to report individuals discharging firearms on my street; I am loath to work late at my office fearing if I stay out too late that I will be burglarized — again. My 13-year-old son has never played on my street; he does not walk alone in our neighborhood. I am contemplating having a wrought iron fence built around my home when the weather improves. Many of my colleagues and some of my friends ask me, “Why don’t you just move?”
I do not want to abandon members of my community, many of whom are elderly, to fight against this criminal infestation alone. Similarly, Chicago cannot afford a mayor who abandons, is indifferent to, or is unrealistic about the needs of its communities. Emanuel’s experience in advancing the federal crime bill legislation and his ability to access the best critical thinkers in the nation is encouraging.
Last week I read that Chico was critical of Emanuel’s ability to earn $18 million in 2 1/2 years. I find Emanuel’s income-generating and fundraising abilities exhilarating. I hope that he will use his income-generating talents to creatively rebuild the city’s revenues, to improve our schools, to increase employment and to quash crime. Emanuel’s background as an income-generator suggests a capacity to bring great financial resources to solve large-scale problems.
It is for these reasons I am placing my faith in Emanuel and voting for him on Feb. 22.
— Maryam Ahmad, Chicago
Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins also is a candidate for mayor. No letters were received on her behalf.
