* As I’ve said before, Martin Ozinga’s name is being floated as a possible successor to former 11th Congressional District GOP congressional candidate Tim Baldermann. The Pantagraph tried to reach him, but he’s out of the country…
Among those mulling a run include Martin Ozinga III, owner of a Chicago-area concrete and construction company.
‘’He has been contacted. He is considering it,'’ his assistant, Margie Nelson, said Monday.
* But there could be a big problem with Ozinga. Larry found this Tribune story from 2005…
The boldly striped red and white cement trucks have long been a common sight in Chicago, pouring concrete for miles of curbs and sidewalks as well as for skyscrapers, Comiskey Park and Navy Pier.
The trucks have brought their owners, Ozinga Bros. Inc., tens of millions of dollars in city contracts and launched members of the family-owned firm to noted positions in local political and charitable circles.
But behind the scenes, documents and interviews show, the Ozinga firm repeatedly dodged city rules and exploited an affirmative-action program to win lucrative contracts.
As City Hall wrestles with scandals in its programs to lift minority- and women-owned businesses, the Ozingas provide a case study in how a white-owned company can work the system–and win.
The company’s actions include creating a spinoff concrete firm in the 1980s to win city business reserved exclusively for minority-owned companies. Martin, Richard and James Ozinga–all white men–enlisted the help of two African-American churches in Chicago’s depressed South Side, giving nine church members 51 percent ownership to technically meet the city’s rules.
But two of the African-American church members now say the spinoff company was bogus and that minorities had little control of the business. “It was a classic front,” church member Henry Washington says.
Hmm. That wouldn’t be good.
* Meanwhile, OneMan lets loose on those who have criticized Jim Oberweis for having a capital fund that invests in Asia, and whacks Bill Foster for skipping more debates before next month’s special election. Go take a look.
- jerry 101 - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 9:09 am:
heh. Sounds like the Ozingas are unindicted co-conspirators in the Hired Truck Scandal.
Lovely.
- Independent - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 10:06 am:
Hat off to Larry. The name Ozinga sounded familiar but I could not remember from where.
- Anon - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 10:15 am:
This was posted about Ozinga on Friday’s blog.
Been There, Friday, Feb 22, 08 @ 4:39 pm:
=====Marty is either the son, grandson or nephew of Frank Ozinga who was a long time state senator from Evergreen Park back in the 60’s & 70’s. Along with having one of the biggest cement companies in the country their family also use to own 1st Natl.Bank of Evergreen Park before selling it. So, he should have a lot of family dough.
But I also remember their cement company being in the news for getting around some minority set aside programs. Not good press and I am not sure exactly what they did, but it could be an issue.=====
- VanillaMan - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 12:16 pm:
This is a real election, and the 11th District is full of real people, businesses, schools and enterprises. They do not deserve a clique of clowns and amateur insiders mishandling something as important as the Republican candidate for Congress. These foolish ‘leaders’ shut out credible alternatives to Baldermann, such as Dan Brady and ham-handedly annointed a guy who felt too important to make sacrifices for the candidacy he sought.
The writing was on the wall for Weller since his marriage, yet the individuals who felt empowered to call the political shots for the Republicans in the 11th chose not to care enough to do their jobs. No one was groomed. They seemed to have sat back in self delusion. Anyone with half a brain knew Weller was on his way out. Unfortunately, having half a brain was too much for these guys.
The entire Baldermann annointing was a sham. He didn’t have the temperament to be a candidate and this became obvious immediately. His unimaginative boilerplate press releases lacked excitement and spark normally seen with new candidates. Most newbies are excited and happy. Baldermann acted like he was going to have a root canal.
Debby Halvorson is a wonderful person. Too liberal and not representative of the majority of voters within this District, but a sweet lady with a long history of sincere positions on social issues. If she is elected, and it looks like there is no other choice at this time, she will hold this office until she retires.
The good news about that is she will do a fine job. The bad news about that is she really believes the late 20th Century Democratic crap she learned in her community college courses. So she is only pro-choice regarding abortions, not pro-choice for anything else. Her solutions are usually the same for anything - throw more of our tax money at it.
We need a real reformer in this District. Someone who sees beyond failed LBJ-like social engineering. The 11th needed a champion, not a nanny. It is a shame that they were so poorly served by the individuals representing the Republican party in this region.
- Jon Shibley Fan - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 3:18 pm:
VM, your analysis of Halvorson is smug and condescending.
- B-no name nickname needed - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 3:32 pm:
it sounds like Marty Ozinga actually gave a group of African Americans an opportunity. The cement industry is very closed and very capital intensive, so how else were they going to get a break to get involved. What I have heard of Ozinga personally is that he’s a very religious guy. Yes he’s successful and in a very rough business, but give me a break he’s a real candidate no a front put up by the combine.
- Jon Shibley Fan - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 3:44 pm:
“it sounds like Marty Ozinga actually gave a group of African Americans an opportunity.”
Yes, I’m sure he’s sitting behind his desk polishing up his NAACP Image Award even as I type this.
Pingback McLean County Pundit » "HOLY CRIPES!" WHEN THE BOTTOM FELL OUT FOR THE GOP IN THE 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT/ILLINOIS - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 9:43 pm:
[…] There are nearly a dozen people who have expressed interest in taking Baldermann’s place; ranging from the ridiculous to the serious. Three names are cropping up in the street-talk as serious; runner-up in the GOP Primary with 16% of the vote, Will County resident, unemployed airline pilot Terry Heenan, non-district resident, Kane County millionaire Jack Cunningham; millionaire Marty Ozinga; and former McLean County Board Member now Air Force Pilot, Adam Kinzinger. […]
- Centrino - Tuesday, Feb 26, 08 @ 10:34 pm:
This is really getting out of control. First, a person from outside Will County will not be selected, as the vote for the nominee is weighted. Will is the largest county by population in the district, it only makes sense that the nominee comes from there (yes, I know Weller is from Morris). This excludes Adam Kinzinger, who has been itching to run for any office for the last few years — at the behest of John Parrott.
Second, this race is far too important to have someone from well outside the district run. This includes Jack Cunningham, Chris Lauzen, etc. Putting up a candidate from outside the area, ala Alan Keyes, guarantees defeat.
Third, a nominee needs to be appointed that has the ethical background and “fire in the belly.” No one who has made contributions to Blagojevich & Co. or can’t withstand a background check. People were throwing around Marty Ozinga, without thinking about the guy’s connections to the city of Chicago and the lack of a political base in the district.
Find someone who is younger, has some grassroots support, and the will to win. That’s your ticket to keeping the seat.
- Aon - Wednesday, Feb 27, 08 @ 9:10 am:
Just as long as its not Chris McNeil then thats fine. I doubt he can raise any of the money to run this campaign.
- Go Martin! - Thursday, Feb 28, 08 @ 1:36 pm:
Martin Ozinga III is a visionary man who could help district 11 thrive. I hope he gets the nod and accepts an invitation to run. I understand that he employs 1000 union workers. People talk about bringing jobs to Ill., he has actually done it. If he actually runs, we should get behind him big time.
- Aaron Slick - Tuesday, Mar 4, 08 @ 3:26 pm:
The man that is needed to replace Tim Balderman and is actually “qualified” to serve in this position is Harry Bond from Kankakee County. He is a self-made man, owns the Monical’s Pizza chain with over 1,300 employees, he is almost wealthy enough to self-fund his own campaign, he is highly-respected in his Kankakee County community, he is a true Republican, he hasn’t any skeletons in his closet like Ozinga, nor has he made any political donations to Blagojevich, and Harry is a fiscal conservative with compassion for those that need a helping hand. His accounting background would come in very handy. He will represent the 11th District in such a manner that we won’t have to wear a beard and our Foster Grant sunglasses when we venture outside of District 11. And, he doesn’t own any bannana plantations or any other real estate in Latin America. No scandals! I am not sure if our hearts could stand a Republican politician from Illinois like that again?
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Mar 5, 08 @ 4:11 pm:
My hats off to Martin. The redimix concrete industry in Illinois is one of the toughest markets in the U.S. He, and his family, have been able to keep the business thriving for 80 years, while other concrete suppliers are selling out to big international conglomerates. Martin Ozinga’s only skeletons are his generosity towards various community and church organizations, and his commitment to serving his family, church, and community. I wish all politicians had these kinds of skeletons. Think of the possibilities.
- pinto - Thursday, Mar 6, 08 @ 8:11 am:
martin ozinga rocks.