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* Who doesn’t love Cicero politics?
Um, what I mean is, if you don’t have to live or work there, who doesn’t love Cicero politics?
A new Cicero town president race is once again upon us, and it includes allegations by incumbent Larry Dominick that one of his opponents, Juan Ochoa, is using gang members on his campaign…
Dominick would not comment for this story, but Cicero town spokesman Ray Hanania said, “Dominick is probably using CeaseFire members and volunteers to help him get re-elected.” But he added that some of the individuals on the Ochoa campaign have been included by the Chicago Crime Commission in its current book of known gang members.
“That’s the difference,” Hanania said. “Our guys aren’t in that book.”
Ochoa said he doesn’t understand what relevance that has.
Actually, the relevance seems pretty obvious.
* And a “scuffle” reportedly broke out between campaign workers after this happened…
According to Ochoa… a truck denouncing him and Gutierrez attempted to block Ochoa and his campaign workers while they were walking in the parade. The billboard on the flat truck read “Tell Luis Gutierrez and Juan Ochoa to take their Street Gang Friends back to Chicago.”
Man, that’s old school.
* Of course, there are the obligatory allegations that some folks have been put into the race to split an ethnic voting bloc. The town is 80 percent Latino. Dominick is not a Latino. So, some say this guy is a plant…
De Loera, a lifelong Cicero resident, said he’s still developing a plan for the town… “President Dominick has done a good job bringing new businesses to town, but I am younger and have a hunger to do even more for the community.”
Hey, at least he answered his phone, so maybe he isn’t a plant because they tend to go way underground, or to Florida.
* Meanwhile, this local campaign story is decidedly un-Cicerolike…
Independent challenger George Wissmiller won a DeWitt County Board seat on a coin toss Monday, but he didn’t approve of settling the tied race by “gambling.”
“I am obviously pleased with the results,” Wissmiller said of winning the third District B seat up for vote in the Nov. 6 election. […]
Prior to the flip of the coin by County Clerk Dana Smith, Wissmiller read a prepared statement voicing his opposition to the manner in which the election was settled.
“I don’t gamble,” Wissmiller said. “This process here today is very clearly gambling.”
He said he resolved his conflict by deciding not to accept the nominal pay for the office if he were to win the toss.
“If I refuse to accept pay for this office, it ceases to be gambling,” he said. “The office itself is a responsibility and not a thing of value.”
People can rationalize just about anything, I suppose.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 12:48 pm
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“Our guys aren’t in that book.”
At least not yet.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 12:52 pm
What is most puzzling is why a chrony career bureacrat like Ochoa would like to be president of Cicero? He should relegate himself to county appointments and get a real job.
Comment by Statesman Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 12:58 pm
Let’s see Al Capone moved his operations out to Cicero in 1924 when the heat got to be too much in Chicago. One has to wonder what has actually changed in the past 88 years?
One thing to keep in mind is that Dominick is part of the Cicero Township Republicn Organization for all those who think only Democrats are corrupt in Cook county.
train111
Comment by train111 Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 1:08 pm
Why would a government spokesperson comment on his employer’s campaign activity (& speculation)?
Comment by Hyperbolic Chamber Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 1:16 pm
Can anybody remember way back when Ray used to be a respectable journalist?
But I bet he’s getting paid better now.
Comment by Skeeter Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 1:33 pm
===allegations that some folks have been put into the race to split an ethnic voting bloc. ===
That backfired in Cicero a couple of years ago when they accidently elected a state rep who was just suppose to split the vote.
Comment by Been There Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 1:37 pm
This could get pretty wild.
According to news reports over the years, some of Dominick’s allies have some pretty strong ties to the traditional (since 1924) sub rosa power structure in Cicero, as well as their one-percenter hog-riding associates.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 1:44 pm
There was a time I respected Ray Hanania…..
Comment by Plutocrat03 Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 1:55 pm
–But I bet he’s getting paid better now.–
He is if he’s making Proft money, close to $600K from Cicero taxpayers for one year of no-bid p.r. contracts.
It’s good to be a “conservative,” small-government champion of the taxpayers.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2008-09-25/news/0809242317_1_town-pacts-school-districts
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 2:03 pm
Chicago Magazine ran a great story earlier this year or last year about the ties between african american aldermen, state reps and other elected officials in the city, and the gangs and gang leaders operating in their areas. Quite a few of them have business ties and also work with them on community issues and their political campaigns. This is not a new thing or unique to cicero or chicago by any stretch.
Comment by shore Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 2:09 pm
My dad grew up in Cicero when Polish was the primary language. An uncle played in the Capone party band. The faces/names may have changed, but the policy/procedure manual on how to play is exactly the same.
Comment by zatoichi Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 2:43 pm
I’ll bet Betty is shocked by all this bad Cicero publicity!
Comment by one of the 35 Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 2:45 pm
Having worked here in Cicero for the last several years; have staff who also live here and know people who work for the “town”, it has been very eye opening on how things work here.
This election is going to be very interesting. This is especially in light of hopefully the unfolding of interesting information that Elizabeth(soon to be Larry’s ex)will reveal to the Fed’s. She’s a very interesting person- I had the misfortune to meet her in my office last year(that’s a story).
However, given what I know, nothing ever surprises me. I was just at the Town Board meeting two weeks ago to present and it really appears that there’s very little care about any of the Fed stuff or the actual corruption that goes on. I have to say that many people appear to be drinking the same “Dominick” water so to speak.
Comment by carbaby Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 2:55 pm
Free Betty!
Comment by P. Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 3:21 pm
Will Bill Brady reciprocate and throw a fundraiser for Juan Ochoa?
Comment by On the Real Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 4:03 pm
For cryin’ out loud, it’s public knowledge Larry Dominick is Outfit connected, and he’s never denied it.
Of course that’s never stopped Dan Proft, one of the main guys who made Dominick mayor, from lecturing the Dems on a daily basis.
Comment by too obvious Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 4:08 pm
Is Dan Proft back running the Dominick campaign in pursuit of more good government?
Comment by reformer Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 4:10 pm
Ochoa is reported to be using the Latin Kings for street support. The Latin Kings have the reputation for widespread extreme violence.
Pick your posion.
Comment by anon for a reason Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 4:18 pm
But Ochoa and Frias were 2-6 boys, why would Latin Kings help them?
Comment by Ktown Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 4:34 pm
During the 2010 Election, Larry Dominick supported Governor Quinn and Juan Ochoa supported Senator Brady. Politics sure does make for some strange bedfellows.
Comment by JL Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 5:08 pm
To the other half of the post…
The geniuses at “ABC NewsChannel 20″ had to retract their report on the results of the coin flip last night. They identified the wrong guy as the winner.
Talk about not knowing heads from tails.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 5:36 pm
Larry Dominick wouldn’t be able to diss Jeff Fort on criminal activity without coming across as a hypocrite.
Comment by Boone Logan Square Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 6:04 pm
keep smiling and knocking on doors, Madigan gal!
Comment by amalia Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 6:31 pm
Radogno wins 12-6-1 vote.
Comment by Senate Minority Wednesday, Nov 28, 12 @ 9:39 pm