Back in late December of 2008, Alderman Dave issued a press release challenging Mayor Howard to eight debates -- one to be held in each ward, and then a city-wide forum for the benefit of the general public.
Mayor Howard sure wasn't interested in that idea.
And now it appears that Mayor Howard isn't even interested in attending the traditional public forums for debate which he has attended in the past.
In an online update for one of the local rags, we read Frimark kicks debate to the 'CURRB'. The article quotes Mayor Howard as saying, "I've selected more professionally structured debates with organizations that actually do debates on a regular basis," Frimark said. "I think we'll cover whatever we need to cover in those three debates." Translation -- debates where members of the general public aren't, in Mayor Howard's words, "jumping up and asking questions," a reference to the more informal structure of the CURRB forums." Translation of the translation and twisting a phrase -- Mayor Howard don't want nobody's questions nobody pre-screened.
The article goes on to quote CURRB forum organizer Judy Barclay saying, "Barclay argued that the CURRB forum is a "credible" event that audiences and candidates alike have enjoyed. While she would not say definitively that it will be scrapped, she questioned how a forum could be conducted with only one mayoral candidate."
The PRU Crew seems to recall several aldermanic candidates being invited to past forums despite their having no opposition. It is our opinion that CURRB should proceed with their forum and if Mayor Howard is a debate pooper that's his loss.
We feel the opportunity provided by CURRB's forum, for questions to candidates from the general public, is a service to the voters of Park Ridge and a fundamental foundation of a healthy, participatory democracy.
January 26, 2009
Squawk Squawk!
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20 comments:
it sounds like he and Allegretti are drinking the same hooch--they don't need to listen to the thoughts of the citizens. And why should they? What they don't realize is that we are paying attention more than ever. We will respond in kind with our votes.
The problem as I see it...Howard if afraid of the issues. The key issue meaning his costing us - he tax payers thousands of dollars in the devalued properties from the new runway.
Therefore, lets move on with the debates and if he shows up to defend himself fine or he can pull a Blago and go on "the view" to tell his story.
He just won't admit his failures..will you Howie???
Take one for the team old boy..and pull a Bush...head home to fla and bake in the sunshine of your failures.
The Shadow Knows......
Good call, PRU.
Mayor Howard wants as few debates and as much "structure" as possible because he knows next to nothing about the issues, a condition that becomes obvious anytime he gets one or more follow-up questions to anything he says. So debate formats like those provided by the Republican Women or the League of Women Voters - where the moderators screen the questions and don't permit follow-ups - are tailor-made for Frimark's ignorance. Even if he's asked a tough questions, he can state some half-truth or an outright falsehood without fear of being caught on it by follow-up questions.
He understands that a CURB debate will only hurt him actually having to answer to the people of our great city.
I agree 100% to hold the debate with or without Frickmark. Mr. Schmidt can only gain popularity from the forum.
As another winning candidate stated, "It's time for a change".
Vote April 7!
HOWARD is a COWARD
He would be so overmatched that he would end-up running off the stage screaming. I think he expects to have the office of mayor handed to him, all wrapped up with a fancy ribbon. His refusal to participle in an open debate is an insult to Park Ridge.
Anyway we can televise these debates (if there end up being any)?
Even to the web?
I hope curb has the debate without Howard. Residents could ask Howard a few questions, and then listen to deafening silence in response. Film it and put it on youtube.
Does anyone know if the other debates mentioned in the Herald-Advocate article, League of Women Voters of Park Ridge, Republican Women of Park Ridge, and Park Ridge Chamber of Commerce, are open to the public, free, and held at a time when working folks can attend?
it would be nice to know when and where they are!!!
The Park Ridge Republican Woman Forum is on ,
Thurday March 19th at 7:00 pm at the South Park Recreation Center.
It is open to the public, it is free, and will consist of,
Maine Township candidates,
School Board candidates,
Park Board candidates,
Park Ridge Mayoral candidates.
From todays Tribune:
"In recent years, federal prosecutors have increasingly used the "honest services fraud" in public corruption cases. It permits prosecutions against officials for breaches of public trust where there is no proof of a bribe or kickback."
Paging Pat Fitzgerald, have we got one for you!
Thank you Anonymous at 10:24. The Sth. Pk. Rec. Center holds about 150 people.
The League of Women Voters usually uses City Hall that holds about the same amount but is also free.
The Chamber has their lunches at the Country Club but it costs to attend.
Not including membership attendance for these three events, how many regular Joes will there be room for? I'll skip the Chamber thing, because I don't believe I should have to pay to see a debate between candidates.
The bottom line here is one of these candidates is not like the other. One of these candidates looks willing to show up and address the regular Joes whereever he is invited by people to do that. The other wants attendance and exchanges to be kept to a minimum in places he thinks he can count on for comfort and protection from regular Joes.
One of these candidates isn't like the other who is a double talker about protecting businesses from the horrible deeds of regular Joes collecting petition signatures.
One of these candidates isn't like the other who is constantly telling the regular Joes that he's keeping secrets on his deal making from them for their own protection.
One of these candidates isn't like the other who wants to spend money we don't have, put us in debt for two decades while his administration is deficit spending up to 3 mil. for the last two years and the services we pay handsomely for get cut.
Alderman Schmidt, I will be voting for you in April.
Well, I'm just going to share an opinion, I believe that if an incumbents have always had an advantage when election time comes. But I am starting to believe that the people are slowly waking up and realizing that the folks who take office are there to serve the people and the interests of the people, When any politicians fail to serve the people and start server their own interests, I.E., individuals that may have a bit more power then the people, then it is quit simple, the have turned there back on the others. I believe that when elected officials take a stance that is controversial to many, to stand with one or a few, that there must be some underlying reason for that.
Once in a great while, and that’s means rarely, you have an elected official that goes above and beyond, he conducts his position for those he serves, those officials will stand up to the big money folks that try and influence “sweetheart deals”, big tax breaks or special land deals, whatever, they’ll stand up to those and remember that they serve many, not just one. Those who stand for the folks that are truly serving the people, they get re-elected, at least in the true spirit of this democracy.
So sit back a minute and take a look, it shouldn’t be hard to make a choice for a true leader this next election.
Maybe some good things will get accomplished... finally.
Thanks for your time,
HP
It costs.....its costs.....that's all I here!Its going to cost us for these planes, its going to cost us for the Napleton/Frimark deal,
its going to cost us for just about everything. To top it all off - Frimark thinks nothing to raise your taxes.
He's sooooo far deep in the hole that after the election they will have to pump sunlight down to him.
Tribune....where are you.....
The Shadow knows...
Not wanting to debate anything reminds me of the first Mayor Daley.
He would turn down debates.
Gee if I'm not mistaken, his son might do the same thing.
Having to openly debate with resident questions might cause folks to "quote" him on his answers.
well that's just crazy talk...
I know it's off the subject but does anyone know what is going up in the old car lot on Greenwood between Busse and Northwest Highway?
Yes...they are going to build an out PT facility for the insane.
1/2 off if your a career politician.
Just show your country club ID card.
that property is being demolished and I am almost positive that the Assn of Anesthesiologists who have offices around the corner on NW Hwy will be building on it, as an annex to their existing structure.
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