Looking Ahead to Tuesday

If it rains like this on Tuesday will the polling places be empty?

Anyone have an idea of what the expected turn-out for a preliminary election is?

Would it be more interesting if, in such a three-candidate race, we were permitted to vote AGAINST one candidate?

Trane signs have sprung up around the ward, he held his fund-raiser on Tuesday, and he has been more out-spoken about some of the issues. My earlier concerns were that he was disinterested in keeping the office. Perhaps, I was mistaken and Trane was merely pacing himself in contrast to the challengers who needed to become known to the voters.

Ballantyne still seems to speak only in generalities. Additionally, there is the issue of her voting record. Frankly, with only 16 people in the ward pulling a Republican nomination I find it hard to believe that, coincidentally, an error was made in the recording of Ballantyne's selection. Furthermore, I have to wonder why someone who touts her long-time commitment to 'Democrat issues' is not a registered Democrat.

With regards to both Trane and Ballantyne, it was very disappointing that they chose not to appear on the SCAT debate show. According to Joe Lynch, both had agreed to come on the show and then later reneged on that commitment.

Puglia has, in my opinion, done the best job of telling us where she stands on the issues and I applaud her for that. I am a bit worried about her response to Andy Metzger regarding her husband's past. Additionally, her "I probably won't be liked" comment in the 'one-candidate debate' concerns me - I appreciate her point that she does not intend to 'rubber-stamp' the mayor's agenda but I would not like to see my alderman labeled as the 'angry alderman that cannot work with others.'

Hope to see you at the polls on Tuesday...