Larry Dominick |
MY OPINION: Prior to the Town of Cicero’s election
Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013, Town President Larry Dominick has been under attack for
two years by the Chicago daily newspapers. Chicago reporters hammered Dominick
fiercely. They were relentless in printing negative stories about Dominick, his
administration, his family as well as the town’s corrupt political past. They painted
Cicero as a gang infested town once controlled by the likes of Al Capone and Betty
Loren Maltese, the former Town President who went to jail for corruption.
THE PUBLIC
UNDERSTANDS how daily newspapers work sensationalizing stories in order to sell
more newspapers. That negative news article effected the town’s economic growth
and gives the wrong perception to outsiders. Fortunately, the press had zero
impact on the election in Cicero. In reality, the Town of Cicero has been thriving under Dominick's leadership.
THE TOWN OF CICERO is populated by 86.6% Mexican-
Americans, many of them once lived in the Little Village neighborhood, a predominantly
Mexican neighborhood on the south west side of Chicago next to Cicero. These Mexican families
moved to Cicero to raise their children in a safe environment, away from Latino
gangs. Dominick’s dynamic leadership has made Cicero a better place to live and
raise a family. “They [Mexicans] also wanted to get away from former Ald. Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia [22nd Ward] and the current Ald. Ricardo Munoz,” said Charlie
Hernandez the Democratic Committeeman of the Town of Cicero.Charlie's organization endorsed Larry Dominick for re-election.
NOW COMES Juan Ochoa who saw a political opportunity. I believe he wanted to capitalize
on the negative press Dominick was receiving and on the 86.6% predominately
Mexican-American voters by challenging Town President Larry Dominick. Dominick
is a 40-year resident of Cicero and two term president. Ochoa moved into the Town of Cicero less than
one year ago. He rented an apartment and immediately declared himself a
candidate. Originally, Ochoa moved his family to the Town of Berwyn out of Little
Village. Ochoa had the support of Congressman Luis Gutierrez, 22nd Ward Alderman Ricardo Munoz, Cook County Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia and
Water Reclamation Commissioner Frank Avila Sr. They thought this strategy would
guarantee an Ochoa win.
DESPITE the
support of these four Latino elected officials, Ochoa was defeated overwhelmingly.
President Larry Dominick won by a landslide with the help of the majority of Mexican
voters of Cicero. The negative press did not influence the Mexican-American
voters because Dominick is an exceptionally strong leader. Dominick has made a
difference in the quality of life for the residents of the town of Cicero. “Ochoa, Gutierrez, Munoz, Garcia and Avila were
rejected by the voters of Cicero," said State Sen. Martin Sandoval loudly at Dominick’s
victory celebration.Charles Hernandez |
IN THE Nuevo Siglo, a Mexican newspaper, Ochoa said, “Esto no es el fin” [this is not the end]. Election results: Dominick 61%, Ochoa 30%, Joseph Pontarelli 9% of the vote. The election in the Town of Cicero is over.
PRINCIPAL MEETING: The Chicago Board of Education Vice-President Jesse H. Ruiz will be visiting Little Village on Friday, March 15, 2013 from 9 a.m. to Noon. Ruiz will be meeting with the Little Village elementary and high school principals. The meeting will be at the Little Village Community Council, 3610 W. 26th St.
Jesse H. Ruiz |
RUIZ IS an attorney and partner with the law firm of Drinker Biddle. In 2011, the Wal-Mart Legal Department awarded Jesse its inaugural Wal-Mart Legal Spark Award for “outstanding client and community service and dedication to diversity in the legal profession”.
JESSE IS the legal counsel to the fourteen Illinois senators and representatives who formed the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus and the Illinois Legislative Latino Caucus Foundation. In 2003, and again in 2009, Jesse received the Foundation’s Leadership Award for providing legal counsel to both the Foundation and the Caucus, and assisting in the formation of both organizations.
FOR MORE information call 312/286-3405.
Sunday, March 10th, Daylight saving
time begins.
time begins.