Zia's fundraiser and a lot of door to door visits

What a great weekend! About 100 people packed into Zia’s Trattoria on Saturday evening to celebrate our surging campaign. We raised thousands upon thousands of dollars which will help us get out our positive message of open government and fiscal responsibility. Guests were treated to fabulous food and great entertainment and decorations arranged by Fred Bailey, one of our devoted volunteers. And the guests were delighted to have a chance to rub elbows with Gerry Butler, one of our town’s most beloved citizens. There was even a “guest” appearance from a local blogger who had been predicting a Frimark victory, but must now surely be re-thinking the issue after having to force his way through the throng to get to the buffet table.

This was no ordinary fundraiser. Usually, these events are populated by the same old crowd of politicians who go to each other’s events. Not ours. The people who attended this event are the same folks who drive their kids to school very day, pay taxes, fret about the state of the City’s infrastructure and have been tirelessly giving of their time to help our grassroots campaign grow and prosper. I cannot thank them enough for attending, and I also need to thank those who could not attend but sent contributions anyway. I also want to thank Steve and Caroline Bachert who graciously donated four box seat tickets to a Cubs game for our raffle and to Bonnie Canavino for donating a spa gift basket.

But that was not the end of the evening. I went straight from Zia’s to a party hosted by my friend Debby Usher where there was more great food, stimulating conversation and plenty of laughs. A good time was definitely had by all. We did not want it to end, but Debby finally threw us out at 1am.

This weekend I traveled parts of the Seventh Ward whose residents rightfully feel they have been neglected by our City government. I promised them that my administration will not turn a blind eye to their needs. I make the same pledge to the residents of other “forgotten” parts of town who believe the City has spent too much time focusing on Uptown redevelopment at the expense of taking care of the basic needs of the people living in the outlying wards.

Another great part of the weekend came in the form of numerous calls and e-mails expressing support for me in light of the nasty letters to the editor penned by three of the aldermen who have tied themselves to the mayor’s coattails. Many sent me copies of their own letters to the editor which no doubt inundated the local press. Add to that the joy of seeing so many residents sporting their beautiful new blue yard signs, and it was a heartwarming weekend indeed.

Thanks again to all of you who have helped and expressed their support. I hope to see many of you out and about this weekend as we kick off the City-wide canvass. Talk to you soon.