Notebook

By: Elsie Sy-Niebar

 

*Mayor Rahm Emanuel faces eight Mayoral opponents, the longest line in the Windy City’s Mayoral election history

*Former Chicago School’s CEO Paul Vallas, announces his run for Chicago Mayor…

*First Lady Melania Trump did her first ‘Solo Starring Role’

*Lions Club on the Fashion Show ramp and giving awards of recognition …

* Cook County Treas. Pappas: ‘37,600 Property Owners Must Pay Delinquent Taxes to Avoid Sale’

 

As the Chicago chill started to warm up in May, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s rocking chair at City Hall gets hotter as he faces half-a-dozen challengers to unset him come 2019 mayoral elections. Chances are he might lose his third term in the February 2019 elections!

As of press time, here are the strong-hearted leaders who want to rrrhhhaaammm RAHM Emanuel out of City Hall, in spite of their limited election budget (a drop in the bucket compared to JB Pritzker’s $60 Million): Paul Vallas, former CEO of the Chicago Public Schools, no amount reported; a second-timer, businessman Willie Wilson, $107,500; former Police Superinrendent (fired by Emanual) Garry McCarthy, $99,900, County Clerk Dorothy Brown, $14,000, and Principals Ass’n. President Tory Laraviere, $9,100. Meanwhile, Ja’mal Green, Neal-Sales Griffin, and Lori Lightfoot (who resigned from the Chicago Police Board to enter the mayor race), have not disclosed their respective campaign budget. Meanwhile, in the past two weeks, it was reported that Mayor Emanuel had raised almost $3 million. This includes the $1.7 million he raised on a single day in April. With his $5.1 million on hand for his third term campaign budget, Mayor Emanuel has the dough to splurge for his re-election campaign.

Mr. Vallas declaration why he is running for Mayor of Chicago: “Why I am running? My name is Paul Vallas. Today I am announcing my candidacy for the Office of Mayor of Chicago. I am the grandson of Greek immigrants and was born and raised on the Southside of Chicago in the Roseland Community. I have been a public servant my entire life, never turning down requests for help were ever the need is, regardless of the conditions and the financial sacrifices required. The majority of my public services years have been helping cities and even countries, deal with major crisis. I am running because the City is in deep trouble, and I have the experience and the track record of success to offer and implement solutions to effectively and affordably address the City’s most serious problems. Let me be specific about the problems Chicago faces.

Population Exodus: Chicagoans are leaving our City in record numbers as they see declining opportunities and rising cost of living, and with no solutions in sight. A smaller population means a smaller tax base, which means higher taxes and fewer services for remaining residents, which means, naturally, more people will likely leave. I’m running to reverse this exodus, by developing budgets and implementing multi-year financial plans invested in programs and initiatives that promoted growth. Recurring Financial Crisis: Both the City and the schools have been financial disasters aggravated by avoiding making tough decisions like pension funding being deferred until after the election, driving up the cost to taxpayers and taxing people and businesses out of the City.

• I intend to make this tough decisions when they need to be made and return the City and schools to the financial practices that enabled me to balance 10 straight budgets and which generated 13 bond rating upgrades. Taxes, Fees and Fines that are Punishing Working Families. Does the City even have a tax policy or revenue generating philosophy? Based on the actions it would appear that the policy is to raise revenue every tax, fee and fine, again and again with no regard to one’s ability to pay or its impact on working families. I will take a progressive approach to raising new revenues and examine the fairness in the City’s existing revenue generating structure to ensure that there is fairness and that working families are not being driven out of the City or forced to choose between paying the City and providing for their families.

Violence: Murder and violence in the City have become a national disgrace. There are more murders in the City of Chicago each year than the cities of LA and New York City combined. I am running because the City is in deep trouble, and I have the experience and the track record of success to offer and implement solutions to effectively and affordably address the City’s most serious problems. I will run an issues-oriented campaign addressing the critical problems facing this city, and offer my ideas and specific solutions. I will trust the good judgment of the voters to judge a candidate, based on the substance of the candidate’s proposals and not the content of their commercials. I want to be Mayor because I am a problem solver, not a politician. You know my passion for public service and my commitment to making government work for all. In my 12 years as Chicago’s Revenue Director, Budget Director and CEO of Chicago Public Schools, we balanced budgets, improved bond ratings 13 times, and the held the line on property taxes. We accomplished this while putting a record 13,500 police on the streets.

We renovated 70% of Chicago’s streets, built 78 new school buildings, completely renovated over 350 schools. We academically improved schools, increased student achievement, graduation rates and enrollment. Our pensions were fully funded, and we negotiated fair contracts to ensure labor peace. As a result, residents and businesses in all communities had greater faith in Chicago’s ability to serve their needs. I enjoyed similar success while Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia and later the Bridgeport Public Schools System. After New Orleans was hit by the devastating Hurricane Katrina, I was brought in as Superintendent of the Louisiana Recovery School District where I played the critical leadership role in building a new school district. Today, however, it is Chicago that is in deep trouble, and needs a Mayor with the vision and skill set to create change. I’ve spent my entire career responding to requests for help in extreme crisis situations, not only in Chicago, but nationally and internationally. I am in this race to win for ALL Chicago, not just a chosen few. “ https://vallasforallchicago.com/

How does Mayor Emanuel face his critics: His response: “I’m not focused on personalities, I’m making sure we solve the problems of the city of Chicago.

FIRST LADY MELANIA TRUMP on her first Starring Role: For the first time since her husband, became President Donald Trump, First Lady Melania Trump was given her first starring role—“to teach children the importance of social, emotional and physical health with key words “Be Best.”

“Be Best” FL Melania explained, means “ initiative aims to promote healthy living, using social media in positive ways and combating abuse.” She added: “It is our generation’s moral imperative to take responsibility to help our children. When children learn positive online behavior early, social media can be used in productive ways and affect positive change.” The First Lady announced at the Rose Garden at the White House, recently.

ON THE TABLE CONVERSATION: Last year, more than 25,000 people in the Chicago area shared a meal and celebrated the everyday philanthropists among us who strengthen our communities and improve the lives of others. It connects individuals and communities of diverse perspectives and backgrounds to talk, listen and take important first steps toward creating a more unified Chicagoland.

May 8, I attended the ‘ON THE TABLE, Acting up” conversation sponsored by the City Club of Chicago where I am a member. This annual program is the “brain child of the Chicago Community Trust when on that day about 25,000 people get together “On the Table” to discuss anything under the sun to improve human relations.” Nothing new to me. I’ve been a participant on this “Community Conversation” for years. Very education which promotes friendship and understanding among 10 people (at each table) of all colors and accent come to the Table to speak on any subject he/ she has in mind to share to improve Human Relations. I even hosted one group few years back. For the past two years I attended the Ch 11-sponsored “Conversation” where as usual, I am the only Asian American. Every Conversation was Great. But last Tuesday, May 8, I attended the “On the Table” conversation sponsored by the City Club of Chicago where I am a member. For the first time, I had a bad taste in my mouth from that “Conversation.” The so-called Coordinator kept INTERRUPTING ME from the very start it was my turn to speak. My intro was to touch on the humane side. Like touching on the difference of being a “Brown American” in America which creates one of those problems tackled by On the Table conversation. I am very grateful to My God I was able to STOP the REAL ELSIE from “ACTING UP” in action to debate the “moderator.” OK. Next time …. see yah guys, at MY HOME “On Me” on this subject: RACE HAS NO COLOR Brotherly/Sisterly Conversation Dinner.

“Official Mexican Tequila unveiled”: Last May 4, Gov. Bruce Rauner and Lt. Governor Evelyn Sanguinetti unveiled the official tequila Mexican liquor to celebrate the Illinois Bicentennial during a Cinco de Mayo celebration held at Mi Tierra en la Villita Restaurant. Bicentennial Commissioners and members of the Latino Caucus joined them for the festive occasion, which doubled as recognition for Illinois’ small business sector and the state’s vibrant Latino community.

“This Bicentennial partnership gives us the opportunity to recognize the contributions of Latino Illinoisans and entrepreneurs to our culture and our economy,” said Rauner. “Small businesses – in the Latino community and all over Illinois – are critical to our economy. They employ millions of Illinoisans and create most of the state’s new jobs. It’s why they are considered the backbone of commerce in the state and why we need to support them in every way.”

“As the first Latina lieutenant governor in our nation’s history, I am proud of Illinois’ incredible diversity and rich cultural history,” said Lt. Governor Sanguinetti. “The Latino community has played a vital role not only to our state’s culture but also to our state’s economic engine. As we celebrate Sinco (5) de Mayo and this unique Bicentennial event, I wish we all embrace our diversity and remember the significant contributions Latinos have made to our great state.”

The Filipinos have contributed so much in terms of Neighborhood industry like Food Products along with the Latino and Hispanic communities. Moreso, playing a vital role in the Health wellbeing of the people for making history as the immigrants with big numbers of doctors, nurses and all other medical professions. I look forward to the day when we FILIPINO AMERICANS will celebrate our “Doce (12) de Junio” (June 12, our Philippine Independence Day) with something related to our business and professional contributions not only in Illinois but countywide in America, starting in Chicago. Instead of focusing on our glittering gowns, crowns, and other bling blings.

Pappas: 37,600 Property Owners Must Pay Delinquent Taxes to Avoid Sale, 16,000 Tax Bills Returned by Post Office: Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas urged 37,600 property owners to pay their delinquent bills immediately to prevent their unpaid taxes from being offered for auction at the Annual Tax Sale that starts Friday, May 4, 2018. About 16,000 owners may be unaware of the tax sale because the U.S. Postal Service has returned their bills and subsequent notices. “For most of us, our home is our biggest investment,” Pappas said today. “Don’t risk losing it for an unpaid bill.”

Pappas’ warning was for owners of homes, businesses and land with unpaid bills for Tax Year 2016 (originally due in 2017). To see if your property taxes are delinquent, go to cookcountytreasurer.com and select “Avoid the Tax Sale.”

To ensure that payments are recorded before the Tax Sale begins, property owners can:

· Pay at cookcountytreasurer. com by 11:59 p.m. on April 30, 2018 · Pay in person with cash, certified check, cashier’s check or money order. Personal checks are not accepted. After a Tax Sale, to prevent losing title to their property, owners must repay the delinquent taxes, penalties and fees at the Cook County Clerk’s Office.

SPRING IS HERE. ENJOY! But don’t miss out your Church obligation…

Former Chicago Public Schools CEO PAUL VALLAS announced his candidacy for Mayor of Chicago recently, saying: “I have been a public servant my entire life. I am running because the City is in deep trouble. I have the experience and the track record of success to offer and implement solutions to effectively and affordably address the City’s most serious problems. I will trust the good judgment of the voters to judge a candidate, based on the substance of the candidate’s proposals and not the content of their commercials.”

The Chicago Fil-Am Lions Club (CFLC) headed by Vishnu Mahant presented LOURDES LIVAS a “Humanitarian Award” recently. From left are an unidentified guest, Nestor Castillo, Edwin Pineda, the Awardee Lourdes Livas and Gemma Cruz.(ESNphoto)

DR. BEN BUTUYAN and his wife, EMY NAVARRO BUTUYAN (last two at right) were Couple Recipients of the Humanitarian Award from the Fil-Am Lions Club, with his guests from left — Vic Canoy, Ernesto Ramos, Romeo Abiera, Orlando Carnate, Emy and Dr. Ben Butuyan. (ESNphoto).

Lion Bob Duda, a professional singer stole part of the Lions Fashion Show with his a la Frank “the Voice” Sinatra rendition of “I’ve got you under my skin”. He is the husband of Pat Duda, Gov. of Lions Dist.1-A. P.S: Don’t forget the PROMNIGHTSARY 3rd Anniv. Celebration of the Chicago Magnificent Celebration under Pres. JR Roque, Saturday, May 26, at the Edward Hotel in Rosemont, IL. Call JR at 847) 452-8208.

The Lions FASHION SHOW ORGANIZERS for Charity: Gerry Rebello, guest; Lions Julie Chavez, Yoly Zoleta, past Lions president, Chantimar Sriaroon, Thai Lions president; Amy Mayuga, officer & entertainer, and Guest Haute Couture Designer Mar Lapena. Not in photo are Chris Chaturanarong, and Elba Torre, featured designers that evening.

Da Fil-Am Designer who made it in the mainstream: VICTOR MILLER, with this columnist (Elsie Sy-Niebar) and Lion Geraldine Gaden, his Fashion Show coordinator that evening. Nowadays, Victor will be swinging aroun’ doing fashion showing his international models on the ramp.

Thai Lions President Chiantimar Sriaroon and her husband, Dr. Sriaroon, at the Lions Fashion Show. (esnphoto)