Thursday, November 10, 2011

Shut Down, Latino Advisory, Day of the Dead, Latino Alliance, Redistricting


            
We salute members in the military and veterans
on this Veterans Day 11-11-11

Reggie 
Gonzales
      SHUT DOWN: Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s proposed 2012 City’s budget will cut funding for the Commission on Human Relations [CCHR]. The cut will shut down eight volunteer Advisory Councils: African, Arab, Asian, Immigrant & Refugee, Latino, LGBT, Veterans and Women Advisory Councils. All staff will be laid off on December 31, 2011.
           LATINO ADVISORY Council Director/Community Liaison is Refugio “Reggie” Gonzales and Council members are Pablo Acosta, Martin Arteaga, Yolanda DeAnda, Rudolph Espinoza, Mark Anthony Flores, Mario A. Garcia, Jr., Victor Garibay, Dr. Ana Gil-Garcia, Mario I. Valadez, Veronica Loewy, Roberto Montano, Adriana Morales, Stewart A. Munoz, Rosalba Priego, Mirtha E. Quintana-Toomey, Luz Maria Solis and Grant Vitale.
             "I HAVE SERVED this city for more than 16 years and my last six years as the Director of Latino Affairs has been challenging.  There is too much to do with limited funds and with a volunteer team. However, every member has been a charitable contributor and a leader of our community.  I wish them well in their future volunteerism tasks and pray that those who have been laid off to continue to give back to the community," said Gonzales.
Maria Silva
DAY OF THE DEAD: Students of Columbia College Latino Alliance hosted their 7th Annual “El Dia De Los Muertos” celebration on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. Students, family members and friends of the Latino Alliance began the “Dia De Los Muertos” celebration with a procession at 5 p.m. in front of Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. and walked to another Columbia College building at 618 S. Michigan Ave. The William Jones College Prep school band led the procession, marching in cadence with painted “catrinas” faces, playing music. Behind the band were three large catrinas skeletons, guitar and marchers dressed in calavera costumes.
LATINO ALLIANCE PRESIDENT SERAFIN LOPEZ said: “This event signifies remembrance of our [deceased] family members. They are still alive in our hearts.” The program continued in a small Columbia College auditorium that included entertainment by student singers and guitarists, Mexican food and a video presentation. The video featured members of Latino Alliance giving testimony of their upbringing and love for their parents, grandparents and deceased family members.  
      SPECIAL RECOGNITION was given to Maria Silva, a Little Village resident, by Latino Alliance for her generous donation of Mexican food. “I cooked all night,” said Maria. Maria is the mother of Armando Silva Jr., Photo Coordinator for the Latino Alliance. She is a Farragut Career Academy Local School Council [LSC] member and Secretary with the Little Village Community Council. The food Maria cooked was delicious.
      LATINO ALLIANCE officers are Serafin Lopez, President; Alicia Valtierra, Vice President; Uri Brito, Vice President; Denise Perez, Secretary and Edgar Romero, Treasurer.  


            REDISTRICTING: The Chicago Board of Elections 2012 Calendar states: “The City Council for the City of Chicago is charged with the duty of redistricting ward boundaries by December 1, 2011.
            IT IS possible that the City Council, even if it adopts a redistricting plan on or before December 1, 2011, may not make such new ward boundaries effective until after the March 20, 2012 election. Until such redistricting occurs, existing ward boundaries shall apply. The signature requirements for Ward Committeeman found in this calendar are based on current ward boundaries. Watch for further announcements if the City Council adopts a redistricting plan prior to the close of the period for filing nomination papers”.  
            WARD COMMITTEEMAN: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 is Chicago’s General Primary Election. Voters will elect their Democratic or Republican Party Ward Committeeman. Each of the 50 Chicago wards has a Democratic and a Republican Committeeman.
            A WARD Committeeman, elected every four years, is a member of the Central Committee of his or her political party. They are involved in slating of their candidates for elections, fund raising, voter registration, getting out the vote, recruiting election judges and promoting their party candidates at election time.
            A COMMITTEEMAN does not receive a salary. However, they have political influence based on their weighted vote in their respective ward. Some hold two or three political positions.
            ELECTION FILING PERIOD for Ward Committeeman is Nov. 28 through Dec. 5, and requires 500 to 800 signatures to get on the ballot.
                        LATINO WARD Committeemen are: 1st Ward: Jesse Ruben Juarez; 12th Ward: Antonio “Tony” Munoz; 22nd Ward: Ricardo Munoz; 25th Ward: Daniel S. Solis; 26th Ward: Roberto Maldonado; 30th Ward: Ariel E. Reboyras; 31st Ward: Joseph Berrios; 35th Ward: Rey Colon.