48th Ward Aldermanic candidate Phil Bernstein spoke at last night's EBNA block club meeting to both EBNA members and non-EBNA Edgewater residents alike about his campaign. Phil began the evening by outlining his qualifications for the role which include an education in economics (including an undergrad and graduate degree, along with PhD coursework in the field), experience with large public works projects and his experience as a small business owner. Phil also spoke about initiatives and issues he would address at the local and City Council level, if elected, including cutting costs/expenses, revamping the property assessment process, economic development within the ward, reducing crime and pushing for vouchers in the education system. In addition, Phil vowed to donate one-third of the Alderman salary back to local charities, open 2 ward offices with a new staff and seek input from the entire community on issues by posting information & proposals on the web.The meeting was well attended, thanks to both Phil Bernstein for accepting the invitation and EBNA President Killian Walsh for moderating and opening the meeting to the entire Edgewater/48th Ward community.
UPDATE: In addition, you can check out Chicago Clout's coverage here: "Edgy in Edgewater"
37 comments:
He's really dillusional. Based on what he was stating last night, he is obviously out of touch with the constituents. He comes off as angry all the time about everything and mixes up what people say. A couple people stated how he has mis-construed their words in his EI blog. The one commercial developer from Granville really let him have it (as did the woman in front from ECC's board). She (the developer) had facts to back up her statements where PB was really off base. My sense is if he keeps this up he's going to be sued for slander and / or libel. All justified. I can't see him as an effective alderman for the ward. He's angered and disengaged too many people already with his rhetoric. Thanks to EBNA / Killian for inviting him. I look forward to a HO / PB debate if that moves forward.
Chicago Clout will have their video up soon and we'll get the real story.
From what I hear, it was just emotional whining from the ladies and Bernstein standing his ground in a professional manner. (not losing his temper like Harry did in a recent video done by Chicago Clout)
I also look forward to hearing a debate between HO and PB. Harry may have the "emotional violins playing" for him, but he certainly doesn't have the intellect resources to make a real challenge to Bernstein, at least not for any objective listener.
EBNA and Killian did an outstanding job running it last night. It was informative and you got a good sense of what he stands for and his personality/temperament.
Eric:
What are your conclusions regarding what he stands for and his temperment? And water boy do you have anything intelligent to say?
Towanda:
Did you attend the EBNA meeting last night? If so, or if not, I'm shocked that you haven't commented yet. You usually make it a practice to comment on every post.
Leave Towanda alone! I'm sure glad she kept her identity secret at the meeting. Otherwise it would have turned into a fiasco between Phil, Judith and others.
its interesting to see that the men at the meeting who made comments did not get the raft of anger. The woman were the same tone of the men, calm and intelligent. the one man with PB attacked a female who voiced a pleasant and coherent different opinion, she was yelled at and pounced on for several minutes. Neither of PBs men did that to another man who also disagreed. So I guess if your a man your held on a higher standard. Flashback to 1970, 40 years ago, whooooo.
Angry men go for easy targets, women and beat woman up and call them names behind their backs on a website. Judith is obviously one of those two men, how can you have an opinion if you weren't there?
They were the only two men who attacked women who spoke. SIts shameful to see when women speak they are held to a lower standard in this community.
DorothyParker007 -
HO would not support your ongoing character assassinations and you really aren't doing him any good.
You are way out of line. Get real!
You are literally going off on an imaginary diatribe where you infer that Mr. Bernstein and people that agree with him fall in to this category of..."Angry men go for easy targets, women and beat woman up". (your exact words)
If what you said was true and if you had integrity, you would have called the police. And, if this was really happening, wouldn't that ACTION make more sense than BLOGGING about it here? (good job imaginary hero!)
What you are resorting to is just another form of character assassination or an Ad Hominem attack against someone you don't agree with. Is this because constructive debate would take effort and though? (just asking)
Talk about real issues, not imaginary ones, please.
Can't wait to see video! (mainly to hear what PB has to say so you can respond to his points rather than listen to your character assassination nonsense)
It is a fair guess to say multiple people there were attendees with an "axe to grind", specifically against Mr. Bernstein. (I guess we'll wait and see)
There is a difference between disagreeing with someone and attacking someone in a threatening way or "beating them up".
Rather than believe your exact portrayal, I'd be more likely to believe that there was a philosophical difference in opinion about one of the issues, which included some passionate speaking, rather than anything like what you are describing. Otherwise, someone would have called the police. Why wasn't something done to have this person expelled from the room? (Obviously because you are not portraying reality)
Or, did you in fact quickly jump in to action to subdue this "attacking" person?
And, if not, why not? (again, because what you portray is likely not the truth)
I ask this because it would seem that by your assessment, all it would have taken is a is a "real man" such as yourself to stand up to this guy that supposedly only disagreed with women and only looked for easy prey to attack.
The obvious answer is that it is extremely unlikely that this threatening scenario that you portray where men were intending upon beating up women. (again, your words and inferences)
Did you expect everyone in the audience would show up and agree on all points? If you did, then it would seem you are naive.
My bet is that there were multiple men and women in the room that spoke with some level of passion about issues that they felt strongly about, and THAT is why community meetings are held. In fact, I'd bet that most of the passionate expression was likely directed toward the person at the front of the room. And did jump to his defense? Or did you call him names?
The disgusting irony is that the main "attackers" have been Osterman supporters. That is a fact.
Just earlier today within another section of this blog space "buddaha" made a disparaging remark about Mr. Bernstein's wife and his dog.
swift: you just proved my point.
DorothyParker007 What were the questions? What were the answers?
I'd like to hear about some issues if you were there and not all this talk about who was yelled at more.
Please, what questions were asked and how did he respond?
Mind if I chime in here? Mr. Bernstein was organized and kept the meeting going at a good pace. I personally did not ask any questions, I just moderated the event, fielding the line of questioning. Someone has to keep order, and it was I who had that task.
I think ECB did a good assessment of the meeting. Phil has some good points, the blockclub system/process with community development has not been smooth and EBNA has not participated in voting for more then a year, because the system is up for "remodeling." However, you can't force people to participate, representation without participation is not a positive role.
Phil never shouted at anyone when anyone asked him a question, he was poised and polite to me and the group, which it did become heated and he was presented with some difficult questions, but he was professional throughout.
I will not voice my personal opinion at this time on whether he was right or wrong. The point of the meeting was to bring him in front of a blockclub, I think he said the last time was 1993 and 17 years is a new generation.
We have built this blockclub to be a safe haven to disagree and not be attacked personally on a blog the next day, but allowed to have several voices in this community. If one decides to revert back to personal attacks that is their business and I wish them well and they are still invited to call me or come to our meetings and will be treated with the respect.
Thank you to everyone who came. The alderman primary is not until February 2011, so you will not be voting for either men this time. Petitions for getting on the ballot is now the process.
Oh and I was jumped and robbed on the way home from the meeting. Because of my years of public safety experience and going to community townhall safety meetings I handled the act swiftly and I can easily id the kid. My hero, Mario Flores who was stabbed last year, rode up on his bike and stayed with me until the police came and rode after the kid but did not catch him.
I attended the meeting where vouchers were discussed. My problem with vouchers is that if they are available to religion supported schools that means that lgbt teachers and taxpayers are having our tax dollars, yet again, being used to fund jobs and organizations who can (and in many cases do) actively discriminate against us simply because we are gay. Religious organizations, including their educational arms, are exempt from Illinois law prohibiting employers from making employment decisions based upon who potential or current employees have sex with.
Phil Bernstein, while noting his personal wish that these groups not discriminate and citing the deplorable record of CPS, stated that he supported the use of tax dollars to fund religious education even if that organization discriminates. Considering that lgbt citizens make up 30 percent or so of the 48th ward, I would have hoped any candidate who aspires to represent all the citizens of the 48th ward could come up with something that doesn't enable bigotry and discrimination.
We can't afford another four years of 48th ward leadership that doesn't take our entire community into account. I don't assert nor do I think that Bernstein is a bigot or anti-gay, but this issue does seem to indicate a failure to understand issues of importance to a large community within the ward.
Killian -
From someone who wasn't able to attend the meeting, I'd like to thank you for not only organizing the event but for cutting through all of the other BS comments here with your unbiased assessment of the levels of maturity demonstrated by all who were there.
Very sorry to hear you were jumped, I hope that you are OK.
Thanks for the support, but I do want to say to this statement:
"From what I heard, that the EBNA meeting was just emotional whining from the ladies."
I really don't recall a any of that and I am not sure what that even means. The women in the 48th ward that come to EBNA meetings are generally mothers, business women and smart.
I hope that a woman like yourself Judith will have coffee with me. How about Friday at Starbucks at 10am? I like to meet other woman in the neighborhood and understand where your coming from. I look forward to meeting you:)))
After the meeting ended we all agreed to vote for harry osterman. harry may not do much if anything, but he knows how to party! Go Harry Osterman. I say osterman for mayor of chicago.
Hello Buzz fans,
Killian, great job Tuesday night! I knew you could do it;) Sorry about your robbery. I hope you are ok..are you?
Matthew; thanks for sticking up for me;)
I decided to not comment before because I'm so tired of getting chewed up and spit out by several people on this blog (and you know who you are) for ANYTHING I say that I wanted those people to get it out of their system. Sad that it's come to this because I have been commenting on this blog for a while now. Why? Because it's my right, because I'm retired and have fun doing it and because I think the Buzz is the best. I may not always be politically correct and don't care if I am, I just try and say what's on my mind without hate and, after all, isn't that what a blog is???
GO HARRY
GO EDGEWATER
I totally resent this remark and think the ladies of this blog AND at the meeting deserve an apology. Whining indeed.
"From what I hear, it was just emotional whining from the ladies"
Quick question everyone. Why is it when men make comments in meetings that it is taken seriously and considered valid points in a conversation. But when women comment, its emotional whining? Judith, I know your a Shill for Phil, but please, refrain from talking down to women. Afterall, it's so last century to be so condescending. Wake up.
towanda, we all know you are really harry osterman after a night on Halstad with the boyz. Sober up, we all like HO also. enough.
Comment after comment, and NOT ONE WORD of intelligent discussion of the issues. Pathetic. What were the issues that were discussed at the meeting? Where were the comments regarding those issues? Where do you agree or disagree with those issues? How is the great exalted one MR. Osterman's position on those issues superior or inferior? Towanda, Water Boy, et. al. say something intelligent, just once, please.
"Truth" Squad - you were in attendence and I cant help but notice that you yourself have not provided ONE WORD of intellegent comments either.
I agree with you that this forum would be more useful if people would share their opinions and feedback of the meeting in a civil and adult manner, but quit being a hypocrite and lead by example and say something intellegent, please.
Thank you Hollywood Beach, I couldn't have said it better myself.
Ok Hollywood:
1. Osterman is playing the residents for a fool by running for 2 jobs, only to protect his buddies who will name his successor as state rep.
2. He is part of the problem with the state of the state---bankrupt. He was in a legislative role for 10years. So, why would he be qualified by Alderman?
3. Phil wants to reduce assessments and he did have a plan. What do the participants think of that?
4. Phil wants to get the input of all residents in the ward. What do the participants think of that?
5. Phil wants to have a staff that is dedicated to decision making, and accountability, unlike the current staff. What do the participants think of that?
6. Phil said he would be an independent alderman, demanding fiscal prudence; a reduction in costs, NOT a increase in taxes. What do the participants think of that position?
7. Phil talked for over 1 hour. During that time, I recall an additional number of important issues facing the city and ward were enumerated by him. But your bloggers are silent on each and every one of these. Why? Can't they face the fact that Phil makes sense; that Osterman makes platitudes.
And, you call me a hypocrite, but have no characterization to those among your group who have called Phil everything but a mass murderer, time and time again. Thats ok, right? How about a little bit of application of the same standards?
Yes, he had some good ideas (accountability from the Alderman's office) and his intentions may be admirable, but I think the common theme that ran through the meeting Tuesday night was TRUST. When a number of people in the room had stated they've been targets of his verbal abuse in his EI site, he comes off as angry. It is obvious he is not engaged as a volunteer on any of the many committees or organizations. His statement about getting rid of the crime on the street by calling the cops constantly did not adequately address the underlying problem.
Harold stated:" After the meeting ended we all agreed to vote for harry osterman."
Response: didn't happened, no one got together and said that. There were tea party and republicans there and how do you know who they are going to vote for? no one asked anyone who they were voting for.
"halsted street with the boyz, get sober" that is an awlful thing to say to towanda and insults the gay community and towanda doesn't drink or do drugs of any kind.
Truth be told PB needs to check his facts his website which was questioned by the 2 women who questioned him of his fact collecting. when he was told he was wrong, by the women who stated facts, he point blank dismissed her and said no he wasn't. this "whining" woman he spoke with created Artist in Motion (the storefront art work), the Art fair on Granville, Third Saturdays and has bought bad buildings to bring them back and he finds fault in that?
She might not be a fancy ex planner for the army core of eng, no, she was a simple hairdresser who raised her family in the city and is singlehandly is helping this neighborhood out of its slump. Its not all perfect, but its good work.
Outside of his employment at Army Core of Engineers) Could someone outside of the stop the lakefront expansion plan (fact: there isn't a current plan on the table anywhere) state what work he has done with the community?
Come on people, how about just a scintilla of honesty. Phil stated very clearly at the meeting that he was responsible for (1)rebuilding the shoreline project for Chicago (2) the program to alleviate basement flooding in Chicago (3) the efforts to eliminate flooding of Sheridan Road and buildings in Edgewater. And he didn't do anything? He's a bad guy cause he doesn't show up at block club meetings? What the hell has Osterman done? Shake your hand? And that makes him qualified to be your alderman. By gosh! And that garbage about the two women. Whatever gushed from their mouths is the truth. Whatever Phil said is a lie. Read the ECC site. They promote and support landfill expansion. Read the EDC tax returns. Do you want your tax dollars spent on another boondoggle? Use your brains a little bit....for a change. If you really think Chicago is governed appropriately, by all means vote for the professional politican Osterman. You suckers are incredible.
Right on MaryParker007, Water Boy and North Edgewater Citizen!
I personally think talking about the "issues" is one thing, putting people down for expressing their opinion on ANYTHING is part of the problem with this country. Because of the anger and nastiness, people than do not want to speak out and there in lies the catch 22, if you will. It has happened to me and many others on this site simply for disagreeing with the manner in which someone comments or twists words around to suit their own agenda. Why bother to talk about the vouchers and the LGBT issues, or the benefits of the block clubs.? Why bother talking about the missrepresentation put out there about our many community volunteers and organizations or someone who wants to enhance Granview when the opposing team will chew you up and spit you out for your opinion? No thank you. I do not wish to talk about any issues PB may WANT to deal with. His minions or even him, will come after to me just for voicing MY concerns and opinions. That's not what I look for in an elected official. I'm not willing to go there again. It's so not worth it. Just support your choice and I will do the same.
North Edgewater Citizen, I support your views regarding the voucher program 100%! Good for you for putting your comment on the table.
Harold, What in the world are you talking about? You see, you are part of the problem with nasty untrue remarks. Be a part of the solution, not the problem. Can you do that?
"towanda, we all know you are really harry osterman after a night on Halstad with the boyz. Sober up, we all like HO also. enough."
Truth Squad;
I just want to correct a misnomer you are putting out there. State Representatives had to summit petition forms on 11/2/09. Let me say that again..11/02/09, if they were running for their office in the next election, which would be 11/02/10. Harry Osterman had NO idea that MAS was going to retire at that time. No one did. He had no intentions of running against MAS and she had not made the decision to retire until a couple months ago. SO, Harry Osterman had NO intentions of running for two offices as you keep claiming. You should have known the prerequisite for state reps as well as state senators before you made these accusations. As a matter of fact, ALL major political positions require this.
"Osterman is playing the residents for a fool by running for 2 jobs, only to protect his buddies who will name his successor as state rep."
Truth Squad - I do agree with you 100% that the comments on this site have gotten a bit out of control. From personal jabs, insults, fake screen names, poll voting fraud (of an unofficial small blog's poll????) etc. its all frankly been a bit childish.
Where I struggle, however, is with a solution. Blogger does provide a feature where no comments will be posted until I have personally approved them. I do not have the time, nor the desire, to play the censorship police which is why I hope everyone can just play nice in the sandbox and have healthy debate, regardless of their position on issues or candidates.
I'm love it. Toto is all bent out of shape. I say whoever Toto backs, vote the other one.
Towanda:
So here's your theory: "I won't make any intelligent comments on the issues because I might get 'chewed up and spit out'. But, I will make dozens and dozens of posts about everything but the issues. And I will defend Harry Osterman unfailingly, even though I have never, in any of my posts, put forth even one thing that this guy has done, or says he will do". And unfortunately, your buddies like water boy (what's a water boy?)will pledge to do the same. Your pledge: never talk substance. I'm in total agreement with Hollywoodbeach. I might not agree with everything he says, but on this, he is definitely on point.
Just an example of my point;
Towanda, Water Boy, et. al. say something intelligent, just once, please.
October 29, 2010 9:57 AM
This was said by Truth Squad. When I did say "something intelligent"i.e., the state reps and others timeframe for running for their office again, I get "Your pledge: never talk substance." I'd say that was "substance" in response to a comment Truth Squad made. The least he could have done was given a touche' in his comment to me. You put it out there Truth Squad, not me. I aslo said I agreed with The voucher issue with North Edgewater Citizen. I guess what you want is a PB discusion and after the last bombardment, I'm have learned not to go there. Like it or not Truth Squad, it's not happening. And I have been commenting on this blog about EVERYTHING far longer than you. Why do you continue to Single me out?
Towanda:
Blabbber, Blabber, Blabber.....saying nothing, absolutely nothing. Unbelievable. Honestly, its quite boring.Sad.
An Open Letter to Mr. or Ms. HollywoodBeach:
Dear Hollywood Beach:
I came to your blogsite for intelligent discourse and debate regarding issues of importance to our area. In particular, after having attended the presentation of Phil at EBNA Tuesday, I thought the issues raised by him would, FINALLY, generate some intelligent discussion on your site.
Instead, the same kind of ranting from the same cast of characters (some of whom I sense were also at that meeting)came forth....but no honest discussion of the points Phil raised. Even when I enumerated a few, the cast of characters didn't get out of character....blogging the same blabber.
Hollywood Beach, I like the informational aspects of the site you run, and your initial posts. But honestly, the quality of the site is severely degrading by the Towanda's of the world, and you probably realize it. It has become, in my brief time on it, a site where the key bloggers can't seem to come to grips with the concept of intelligent dialog.
Here's my advice to you: from an extremely disappointed visitor to your blog, I really feel that you could upgrade the quality and the intellectual debate on the site by blocking Towanda and her pals. I feel that a large number of visitors probably don't engage because they rightfully think that there is no point to it....not when Towanda and her pals comment the way they do.
Those visitors ot the site would make a major contribution to high quality site to go to for intelligent discussion and debate. But not as long as the likes of Towanda and her pals on on it, monopolizing the site with blabber of the worst kind.
Just look at the range of commenters your site gets: the same handful of Towanda's. Yet you claim that 1300 people follow you. They are turned off by this handful. Make a change: block her and your quality will go up significantly.
You would be benefitting the neighborhood. Thank you. This will be my last input until you upgrade the site.
I really think this Truth Squad person cannot make up their mind. Even when towanda does not respond, this person still seems to want towanda to comment like he did on 10/27 by bringing up towanda. From what I see, towanda did not respond for two days after that person mentioned towanda. Than, when towanda does respond, Truth Squad says this buzz should block towanda. I think towanda contributes much more positive comments on all the articles than this Truth Squad person. I think this person needs to make up their mind. Towanda is on the buzz because towanda likes the buzz. I have not found one other comment made by this Truth Squad person on any other article except the ones that are about That Mr. Bernstein person. Does not look good to me. One more thing, please leave towanda alone.
So Truth Squad - now you're demanding that this site block people who disagree with PB from this site?!?
You said you're leaving? Well, don't let door hit you as you leave (though I suspect we'll be seeing you again on this board under a different name...)
Good job Phil 6% of the voye.....keep the negative talk....your a leader...not
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