Outside Interests

There are some who are quite concerned that union folks, namely SEIU, are in the neighborhood volunteering for one of the candidates.  They go so far as to suggest that there is no reason for them to be here based on that foolish theory that some have fallen in love with that goes something like "nothing is important if it isn’t between the boundary lines of the ward."

That theory leads to some very interesting policy positions.  One of many things an Alderman has done forever at city council meetings is vote to approve or deny any number of ordinances or resolutions that have nothing to do with the 49th Ward.  Would people who believe in this boundary theory suggest that the 49th Ward Alderman vote present unless he can verify that it impacts the ward?

There has to be a balance and a recognition that even if you are not a delegate to the United Nations, or sent to Washington, DC,  Springfield, IL, or any other level of government, but the city you are still a citizen of the United States and you have a right if not a responsibility to stand up and be heard on the most important issues of our time.  A resolution like the Iraq War resolution is not unimportant.  It is also not terribly difficult or time consuming to prepare, introduce and vote on.  It is an issue that thousands of 49th Warders care about and hundreds have shown their support for ending the war.  This was a simple statement about the war and how the city residents feel about it. In this case it is obvious that Bush isn't listening to anyone let alone this resolution, but it still sent a message that was important.

Many have said that the living wage bill is foolish because it will never apply to a business in the 49th Ward.  The candidate opposing a the living wage ordinace has said this in public citing the fact that there is no footprint that would suit this type of development.  Let me just point out that it doesn’t have to be a 49th Ward store for 49th Ward residents to work there.  When the living wage ordinance is passed by the city council and the county board and it becomes the first step towards raising minimum wages to living wages it will absolutely be for all of the people in the 49th Ward (even those who earn 10 times the living wage) because it will help to put more money in peoples pockets and create more disposable income.

No Alderman is elected to the Chicago City Council with the sole purpose of representing only their ward. The obligation is to represent your ward and the city.  Who ever wins this elections is going to do that regardless of what they say today and it would be a dramatic change from all Chicago history if they didn’t.

As to the objection to union folks I started this post with, there are thousands of union members in this ward.  There are hundreds, if not thousands, of SEIU members that live in the ward and by the way, some of them work in the ward for various employers as well.  But if your real point is that organizations from outside the community shouldn't be here maybe you should start with your own candidate who has take money and support from the restaurant association and if he hasn’t already will be taking money and support from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, an organization that has a downtown address and a complete list of downtown interests that will do nothing for the 49th Ward.

And if you think that both sides don't have supporters from beyond the borders ask the resturant team where Chef Didier Durand was on February 27.