Not ready for Parking: No Curb-Cut for new LGBT Library in Rogers Park

(Rogers Park) - In my first report  March 24, on the new gay Library coming to Rogers Park at the end of April, I accredited a LGBT reporter, Kate Sosin, with doing " the most leg-work" regarding the Library's move. 


Following the progress of that report over the weekend,  I've noticed Ms. Kate Sosin at Windy City Times hacked my blog report, and claimed it came came from "member's of the community." 


What a load of shit that was. I sent her the link of my report a day before her new report was posted online.


 I'd like to see who in the so-called "community" noticed this - and tipped her off?   Because, according to her boss, Tracey Baim, being "straight" is not part of the gay community.


Anyhow, we'll let bygones be bygones on Kate Sosin's piss-poor journalism, her bosses sexual discrimination rules in the workplace, and expand on a portion of Kate's new report. 


(See, Kate, that's how it's done...)


Back to this story. Kate Sosin raised a good point in her new report.

Where's the curb-cut for parking?

Kate's report states: "A curb at the adjoining parking entrance has yet to be leveled to allow cars to drive into it the lot...."


We've been through these issues before when I ran the 'Broken Heart. So this one line in Kate's report caught my eye. 


To make this entrance happen, you need an "official" city permit. 


Plus, there are strict guidelines one must follow with the Department of Transportation to optain a curb-cut.


Let's backtrack to Karen Sendziak's original press release the media fawned all over. It states, "The library's new home features 20 parking spaces..." 


Well, again, I find this hard to believe. 


Judging from the photograph I took today, parking isn't going to be available until Karen secures official permits, works with the city of Chicago, she also has to notify IDOT, the Alderman's office - and then find contractors to do the work.


Anyone think that can be done in one moth's time?

"Light 'em Up" - Shots fired in the 1700 block of West North Shore

(Rogers Park) - As the escalation of gun violence continues to grow in CAPS Beat 2432, another shooting was called in on March 21, around 6:00 p.m. The latest round of "shots fired" call came from the 1700 block of West North Shore this evening from another anonymous neighbor.


A 911 caller a bit later said  "a bullet went through the window..."


This comes on the heels of every-block neighbor, Timothy Killen, who claimed to have called 911 on a group of alleged gangbangers on March 20, around 11:15 p.m. - through 3:30 a.m., on March 21. This was all about gangbang activity at Common Cup Coffee Bar at Greenview & Morse; and 1515 West Morse Avenue, according to Killen.


Killen claims the gangbangers rule the corner of Morse and Greenview, while the Chicago Police Department does absolutely nothing  about it - except drive by the alleged crime slowly in the squad car and do absolutly nothing.


Police camera pods could confirm everything, if the camera was actually working at the time of the alleged incident. According to Killen's 3:20 a.m., 911 call - Timothy Killen boldly claimed, "While waiting for the cops to show up, I saw an SUV creep up to these guys, then sped away...." 


"One of the kids pulled a pistol and ran into the street, his buddies yelling "Light 'em up!" but he fumbled with the gun and the car was gone..."


Nolen RP said, "This is absurd. Police and CAPS officials constantly tell people to call 911 and provide details of activity. Yet, if they are not doing anything to stop the activity, people we'll stop calling - and feel helpless...."


Looks like Kevlar should be in fashion this summer for residents in CAPS Beat 2431 and 2432. That, or something safer - like a new CAPS beat address.

Kelly Cassidy victorious in her first real campaign

(Rogers Park) - We all know by now Kelly Cassidy was anointed by the powers-that-be. We all know by now if you read the gay press, she is also gay.

If you read the gay press, you'll know her opponent, Paula Basta,  is gay, too. For some reason, that's all that mattered to the gay press.

Resident's in the 14th district saw all through that on March 20. They voted who was the best person to represent them.

After all, politics is local. Not gay or straight. We in Rogers Park just want someone to represent us fairly - with our values in mind.

Which one of the biggest issues is crime and gun control.

So, tonight, with 79% of the precincts counted, Now in Rogers Park is declaring State Rep. Kelly Cassidy as the winner of the 2012 Democratic primary with over 62% of the vote.

BLOGNOTE: We've chosen a very good representative as our voice in Springfield. Not because she is gay, it's because she knows how to do her job. Wonder how the gay press will spin this? I'm guessing they'll lead the story - letting the public know she is gay.

Back that up a second. Being politically correct as the gay media is these days, they'll call her the "L" letter of the alphabet, instead.

Devane leads Fujio in tight 49th Ward Republican Committeemen race

Few precincts are left for Kurt Fujio to make up ground, given Suzanne Devane put in some serious effort in this election. (see post below)

29 out of 38 precincts - or 76.32% reporting.

Kurt Fujio	181	44.25 %
Suzanne Devane	228	55.75 %

I can say I've never seen a republican candidate - campaign north of Howard before. I'm giving this race to Suzanne Devane.

Well deserved. You earned this one, Suzanne. Looks like we're going to have to change this office title to committeewoman.

Afternoon election day crime beat

(Rogers Park) - Police are in a foot-chase with a suspect north of Howard, March 20, at 5:19 p.m. The offender, M/B, in his late teen's to early twenties, no shirt, tan cargo shorts; took off running north into Cavalry Cemetery in Evanston.

Meanwhile, a few blocks south, a M/B was spotted with a gun at the McDonald's, located at Pratt and Clark Street, at 5:29 p.m.

At Pratt and Hermitage, a F/B with a white halter top, was spotted with a gun by Mr/Ms Anonymous 911 caller at 5:40 p.m.

Ginderske: "We're going to win"

(Rogers Park) - First thing Jim Ginderske noticed when he arrived at precinct 25 at 1230 West Loyola Avenue this morning at 5:57 a.m., was I was waiting for him.

Although he arrogantly asked, "Who are you?", when I asked for some time.

Jim Ginderske "chalk bombs" his message
to voters in front of Loyola Fieldhouse.

Photo by Craig Gernhardt

The second thing Jim noticed was no blue cones marking off the campaigning by candidates to the precinct.

This is one of the reason's Jim is in the race. He says he's for a fair and accountable ward operations when it comes to electing our public officals. He doesn't believe the current operation under David Fagus does that.

Ginderske has an uphill battle today, being very undefunded, yet when asked, he was confident he was going to be the victor at the end of the day.

"We're going to win," said Ginderske, as he was directing a couple of volunteers to their various locations in the ward.

Claiming to have no Occupy Chicago members as helpers today, Jim still said he had "enough volunteers to cover every precinct - except #2," the high-rise on Sheridan Road, near Rosemont and the lake.

Ginderske doesn't have the resourses to have signage at the pricincts. He feels "chalk bombing" his vote number with name on the sidewalk is more effective - citing the political signage gets lost in the mass of the 49th ward party signs put up earlier in the morning for judges and candidates Dave Faguses organization picked to support this election cycle.

Ginderske and his team were able to secure 1300 signatures to get on the ballot in 3 days. Let's see if they can earn enough votes to back up his bold claim of victory today.

911 caller claims "shots fired" at Touhy and Rogers

(Rogers Park) - On March 19, at 8:36 p.m., a neighbor anonymously phoned 911 with a "shots fired" call at Touhy and Rogers. The caller said one shot was heard. Police arrived on scene, canvassing the area for a shooter - and came up empty.

A wave-off was given at 8:42 p.m.

Police Alert: On the lookout for trouble @ Chicago Math & Science

(Rogers Park) - Today at 2:10 p.m., the Chicago Police issued an on-air alert to other police officers who are on detail around the Chicago Math & Science Academy, located at 7212 North Clark Street, for this afternoons dismissal.

Earlier in the morning the police got a tip the Latin Kings had issued a warning for trouble around that area, put didn't go into details.

According to the alert, the police are on the lookout for a green mini-van.

Shots Fired in the 1700 block of West Pratt

(Rogers Park) - Multiple neighbors called 911 tonight regarding 'shots fired' on their block around 8:08 p.m., on March 14. Up to six shots were reportedly fired. 


The general area of the shooting by the various anonymous 911 callers varied from as far away as Morse and Ashland - to Morse and Clark; and finally the 1700 block of west Pratt.

One caller said the shooting came out of the second floor of 1737 west Pratt, although a check at that location by the CPD turned up empty. 


Bullets did go through two neighbors window in the 1800 block of west Pratt. This was confirmed by the CPD over the radio.

One witness said the alleged shooter was M/H who ran north from Pratt. Police were touring the area for suspects. Nothing further at this time.

Shots Fired in the 1700 block of West Wallen

(Rogers Park) - Multiple 911 callers reported shots fired at 1737 West Wallen, or 1723 West Wallen, or Wallen and Clark or Columbia and Ravenswood, March 13 at 6:30 p.m. to 6:35 p.m.

No one caller could tell for sure where the shots were fired from. Up to 5 shots were reportedly fired. A couple of callers heard only two shots.

Reports are conflicting from different 911 callers about the alleged shooting, but most say the description of the alleged shooter was M/B. Yet other 911 callers and witnesses say it was an M/H.

The alleged offender(s) were on foot, shooting at a moving vehicle. While reports say there are a victim involved, no EMS has been called to the scene.

One 911 caller said a weapon was thrown in the alley behind 1737 West Wallen. None was found by police canvassing the area.

Reports say this was all gang related, but wouldn't detail which gangs were involved. No further details at this time.

On March 7, a similar shots fired called came from this location.