Comments for Elginite.org -- Elgin, Illinois http://elginite.org/blog Sat, 19 Jul 2008 19:16:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.1 Comment on Closed by rm http://elginite.org/blog/2007/04/18/closed/#comment-45068 rm Fri, 18 Jul 2008 17:37:15 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2007/04/18/closed/#comment-45068 I have just noticed the purported offense taken by TDM to my reference to Mr. Sandor as a "Jewish boy from Chicago." In response, it is my understanding that Mr. Sandor promoted and publicized this exact characterization himself to describe why he was switching political allegiances and now inflicting himself on us as a Democrat rather than a Republican. His implication, of course, is that Chicago Jews cannot be Republicans. His deeper implication is that the historically ethnically-divided and racially-driven political environment of Chicago is now ready for export into Elgin and Kane County. Given the local enthusiasm for "diversity" and classifying and treating individuals on the basis of their skin color or ethnic affiliations, he may not be wrong. To the extent such attitudes or activities represent "race-baiting" or "KKK" membership, TDM must find - and not unreasonably - much of modern America's political and social environment "quite offensive." Certainly I do. Whatever the relationship may be in Chicago between Jews and the Republican party, it is important to recall that that relationship did not apply in Elgin before people like Sandor began importing their Chicago attitudes into our community. Abe Strickman, the son of an immigrant Jewish junk dealer, was an outstanding Republican leader here for many years. And only a few months ago the community lost one of its finest members when Ben Rifken, Republican, veteran, leader of the bar, leader of his synagogue and of the entire Elgin community died at age 91. God, how this town misses people like Ben. If I am incorrect in my understanding about Mr. Sandor's self-characterization as a "Jewish boy," then I deeply and sincerely apologize to this blog and its readers for raising it. However, I entirely stand by my other characterizations of his leadership. Mr. Sandor was part of a leadership that tried to substitute glitzy and expensive, subsidized schemes to dress up Elgin while failing to speak out and act against the root causes of the poverty and crime spreading across the city. The contrast between the "Chicago-style" leadership of Mr. Sandor and the outstanding contributions of people like Abe Strickman and Ben Rifken are at the root of this community's decline and the anger of those of us who knew Elgin's better days. I have just noticed the purported offense taken by TDM to my reference to Mr. Sandor as a “Jewish boy from Chicago.” In response, it is my understanding that Mr. Sandor promoted and publicized this exact characterization himself to describe why he was switching political allegiances and now inflicting himself on us as a Democrat rather than a Republican. His implication, of course, is that Chicago Jews cannot be Republicans. His deeper implication is that the historically ethnically-divided and racially-driven political environment of Chicago is now ready for export into Elgin and Kane County. Given the local enthusiasm for “diversity” and classifying and treating individuals on the basis of their skin color or ethnic affiliations, he may not be wrong. To the extent such attitudes or activities represent “race-baiting” or “KKK” membership, TDM must find - and not unreasonably - much of modern America’s political and social environment “quite offensive.” Certainly I do.

Whatever the relationship may be in Chicago between Jews and the Republican party, it is important to recall that that relationship did not apply in Elgin before people like Sandor began importing their Chicago attitudes into our community. Abe Strickman, the son of an immigrant Jewish junk dealer, was an outstanding Republican leader here for many years. And only a few months ago the community lost one of its finest members when Ben Rifken, Republican, veteran, leader of the bar, leader of his synagogue and of the entire Elgin community died at age 91. God, how this town misses people like Ben.

If I am incorrect in my understanding about Mr. Sandor’s self-characterization as a “Jewish boy,” then I deeply and sincerely apologize to this blog and its readers for raising it. However, I entirely stand by my other characterizations of his leadership. Mr. Sandor was part of a leadership that tried to substitute glitzy and expensive, subsidized schemes to dress up Elgin while failing to speak out and act against the root causes of the poverty and crime spreading across the city. The contrast between the “Chicago-style” leadership of Mr. Sandor and the outstanding contributions of people like Abe Strickman and Ben Rifken are at the root of this community’s decline and the anger of those of us who knew Elgin’s better days.

]]> Comment on Church will remove masonic symbols by DANNY http://elginite.org/blog/2007/10/11/church-will-remove-masonic-symbols/#comment-45067 DANNY Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:13:05 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2007/10/11/church-will-remove-masonic-symbols/#comment-45067 Masons are demonic... Do the research!!! If you don't think so you are blind!! You would'nt realize this until you climb the mason tree to 33' Mason.. You are binding yourself with satan when you take the oath. Do you the research Bill Schnoebelen http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2748614967389038944 Masons are demonic… Do the research!!! If you don’t think so you are blind!! You would’nt realize this until you climb the mason tree to 33′ Mason.. You are binding yourself with satan when you take the oath. Do you the research

Bill Schnoebelen

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2748614967389038944

]]> Comment on Closed by 21JP http://elginite.org/blog/2007/04/18/closed/#comment-45066 21JP Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:51:18 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2007/04/18/closed/#comment-45066 Tom Sandor was a miserable failure of a council member- He never won over the Marie Yearman fans he claimed to represent. Marie Yearman was a woman of her word - No mayor -no Union - no donor could sway her ethics. Sandors ethics changed by the hour. He was a Tom Sandor was a miserable failure of a council member- He never won over the Marie Yearman fans he claimed to represent. Marie Yearman was a woman of her word - No mayor -no Union - no donor could sway her ethics. Sandors ethics changed by the hour. He was a

]]> Comment on Pizza comes to downtown Elgin by J http://elginite.org/blog/2007/09/23/pizza-comes-to-downtown-elgin/#comment-45065 J Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:46:02 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2007/09/23/pizza-comes-to-downtown-elgin/#comment-45065 There's also a new Tue-Thur lunch bufett at Villa Verone - it's AWESOME food and about $7.85! There’s also a new Tue-Thur lunch bufett at Villa Verone - it’s AWESOME food and about $7.85!

]]> Comment on Should 200 Locust be destroyed? by Paula http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/12/should-200-locust-be-destroyed/#comment-45064 Paula Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:38:47 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/12/should-200-locust-be-destroyed/#comment-45064 I can see where spreading out low income housing would be of benefit but I am with Jessica on this. I'm thinking that putting low income housing on the far west side would prevent upper income people from choosing Elgin as their place of residence. I see the problem of having 2 Elgins but I also think the upper income families moving into the city will be good for Elgin's overall reputation....maybe once the far west side is settled and stable, incorporation of low income housing can be achieved. The 2nd comment by TDM also has an interesting point. Low income housing should be along bus lines to give low income families more choices in employment and trasportation. This would also be good for the transportation system. I can see where spreading out low income housing would be of benefit but I am with Jessica on this. I’m thinking that putting low income housing on the far west side would prevent upper income people from choosing Elgin as their place of residence. I see the problem of having 2 Elgins but I also think the upper income families moving into the city will be good for Elgin’s overall reputation….maybe once the far west side is settled and stable, incorporation of low income housing can be achieved. The 2nd comment by TDM also has an interesting point. Low income housing should be along bus lines to give low income families more choices in employment and trasportation. This would also be good for the transportation system.

]]> Comment on Pizza comes to downtown Elgin by SB http://elginite.org/blog/2007/09/23/pizza-comes-to-downtown-elgin/#comment-45063 SB Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:25:00 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2007/09/23/pizza-comes-to-downtown-elgin/#comment-45063 A great addition to downtown would be for the city to put up signs directing pedestrains and cars to restaurants and other attractions. I was downtown last weekend and saw a family on bikes looking for a restaurant, but since they didn't know where to go, stopped well short of any restaurants. A great addition to downtown would be for the city to put up signs directing pedestrains and cars to restaurants and other attractions. I was downtown last weekend and saw a family on bikes looking for a restaurant, but since they didn’t know where to go, stopped well short of any restaurants.

]]> Comment on Elgin Water Tower by SB http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/03/elgin-water-tower/#comment-45062 SB Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:51:34 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/03/elgin-water-tower/#comment-45062 Boy, am I sick and tired of people bashing Elgin. I love this town. Yes, we have quite a diverse make-up, but did you know that over 70% of the population is Caucasian? Boy, am I sick and tired of people bashing Elgin. I love this town. Yes, we have quite a diverse make-up, but did you know that over 70% of the population is Caucasian?

]]> Comment on Should 200 Locust be destroyed? by TDM http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/12/should-200-locust-be-destroyed/#comment-45061 TDM Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:22:19 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/12/should-200-locust-be-destroyed/#comment-45061 Far west development would need a substantial change in policy for it to accommodate subsidized housing. You need a more diverse housing stock to start, mass transit (PACE bus service only extends to Randall Road), and employment opportunitites (neighborhood businesses). All of these items fit with a higher density development. If I were planning where to place subsidized in Elgin, I'd follow the bus routes. Come to think of it, my little 2 bedroom brick bungalow on Mclean would be a good candidate. Maybe the city should buy my house! Far west development would need a substantial change in policy for it to accommodate subsidized housing. You need a more diverse housing stock to start, mass transit (PACE bus service only extends to Randall Road), and employment opportunitites (neighborhood businesses). All of these items fit with a higher density development.

If I were planning where to place subsidized in Elgin, I’d follow the bus routes. Come to think of it, my little 2 bedroom brick bungalow on Mclean would be a good candidate. Maybe the city should buy my house!

]]> Comment on Elgin Water Tower by MS http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/03/elgin-water-tower/#comment-45058 MS Sun, 13 Jul 2008 01:52:29 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/03/elgin-water-tower/#comment-45058 "Its happening here" Yes, it is. The only problem is you need to understand Spanish to figure out what's happening here! aayy eeeey, aaayy, eeeyy “Its happening here” Yes, it is. The only problem is you need to understand Spanish to figure out what’s happening here! aayy eeeey, aaayy, eeeyy

]]> Comment on Should 200 Locust be destroyed? by Jessica http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/12/should-200-locust-be-destroyed/#comment-45057 Jessica Sat, 12 Jul 2008 19:21:19 +0000 http://elginite.org/blog/2008/07/12/should-200-locust-be-destroyed/#comment-45057 I am a proponent of mixed income housing. You're right though, it's hard to get into action--especially when a city is trying to attract higher income individuals/families. Forcing them to live near lower-income individuals/families could be what makes them choose a different suburb. Overall it is generally considered better for the low-income households and the city overall (which includes people with higher incomes) if the low-income households are not concentrated in one area. There are many people who think trying to spread people w/ Section 8 around is a way to take away their political and organizing power. Probably applies more in larger cities and less here. I am a proponent of mixed income housing. You’re right though, it’s hard to get into action–especially when a city is trying to attract higher income individuals/families. Forcing them to live near lower-income individuals/families could be what makes them choose a different suburb.

Overall it is generally considered better for the low-income households and the city overall (which includes people with higher incomes) if the low-income households are not concentrated in one area.

There are many people who think trying to spread people w/ Section 8 around is a way to take away their political and organizing power. Probably applies more in larger cities and less here.

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