Mayors A. George Pradel of Naperville and Ed Schock of Elgin have raised a few eyebrows with their Young at Heart radio spots in connection with Walgreens.
Schock explained he believed his radio spot was a public service announcement about senior citizens being able to receive low-cost tests and shots. Pradel stressed to the radio ad representative who asked him to do the spot that he couldn't promote one pharmacy over another. Walgreens confirmed, though, the radio spots were ads.
Columnist Denise Crosby has weighed in on the subject. Have you heard the spots? What's your take?
Public service or ad?
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Whoever decided to use my name, please don't. I don't write into these topics as a joke. I like to have fun too, but if we can't establish ourselves by name and through consistency of expression, what is the point of this? If someone was to start using Firstenau's Backhand title instead of the real author, it would dilute his/her communication efforts.
Quite frankly, I am hot. I couldn't help myself. I'm sorry.
I am Peg Bundy from the TV show Married with children...and yes, I am HOT!!!
The problem with fools like Bumbleweed is they get to a point where their ego takes over and they no longer think straight. Bumbleweed crossed that line several years ago. Friends and family can all tell Bumbleweed he needs to stop, but he isn't listening. With his ego and tunnel vision he actually has gotten to the point where he doesn't think anyone else is capable or competent to replace him as mayor so he soldiers on.
What a shame.
It would have been better to see Bumbleweed leave office on a high note. Now he is going to have to suffer the embarrassment of being voted out of office.
Once Bumbleweed is out of office there is a lot of damage that needs to be undone and a lot of rebuilding that will need to take place.
Peg,
The Mayor is tired, as in asleep. Watching the workshop last night, no comments from him. Barely participated. He continues because he wants more money. It's about him and free meals and drinks for him and his family. I heard he brings baggies to dinner and takes leftovers. This from a Chinese restaurant owner! I hope his wife does urge him, over and over, to stay home and grow older with her, but no. He's selfish. It's about him. Like the other Councilman. All about them.
Sir, may we stick to the subject? This mayor is growing really tired. I'm surprised he doesn't just give up. He's a good man, but some people just don't know when to stop. We see it all the time. He needs to stop. Doesn't his wife urge him to stop, urge him to stay home and enjoy life, urge him to do something he would be good at? Just stop, George.
Peggy from the credit card commercials? Are you hot?
Since we don't really do current blogs here and this topic is about the Mayor, I offer the following. Could he look more stupid then he has with Show Mes? It bothers me because all of Naperville is a laughingstock because of him. It's changed from, he's a nice guy to he needs to retire.
From what I read, they have the correct zoning, they should get a license, and he can't decide. That's the major issue with him. He can't make a decision. We need a decisive Mayor who can lead us. Not a bumbling, stumbling dope.
This just in. Reding the DH this am, Bumbleweed is going to re-appoint Dick Spentmycash-Fursta-NO back to the Water Commission? What is that? The guy bilked us out of $1M and Mayor McCheese appoints him to the Water Commission to watch them spend more cash. That's leadership?
La Cuc,
I don't even need to add anything. You're right on. Only thing I can say is that this community, for as educated as they are supposed to be, they sure are fooled by this council and the mayor has absolutely no control of them. He's afraid of Big Jim.
Couldn't agree more. The joke is that they get all puffed up when they talk about cutting their own stuff. Fieseler, who is just a wack, comes up with the idea to cut salaries and benefits, and Furstenau and Wehrli freak out. It just shows that they don't care about anyone but themselves, They think we're all lemmings and will continue to vote for them. Let's not.
June, Pradel is a shill. He's a a dope. If I were a cop, I would have supported him in the past. You can't now. He's just doing what his campaign people tell him to do. It sounds better if he comes out against cop's raises-all the while he bilks the City out of millions over time. Salary, benefits, car, Internet. He probably can't even use a computer-si who's using the City paid Internet? He's as bad a Fursta-NO when you look at it that way.
LET"S KICK THE BUMS OUT!!!
LaCur,
Let's see mayor bumbleweed (and anyone if free to use it as they see fit) pulls down a pension and benefits as a retired police officer, a salary ($21,600) and benefits including another pension plan as mayor, a salary ($5,400) as liquor commissioner, a salary ($31,426) and benefits including free health care and another pension as an Illinois Tollway Director. I'm sure how much he receives from his pension is probably derived by a formula of some kind that is public record. I've heard it is somewhere around $80,000 though I can not confirm if that is accurate. Until recently mayor bumbleweed was also serving on the Dupage Water Commission and was receiving more salary and benefits for that gig. It is possible he is serving on other boards that provide him with additional sources of income. Whether or not he and his wife collect social security is another question. Some of his past employment didn't qualify, but some of the more recent does so that is another potential gray area in terms of how much he is raking in.
I would think it is pretty safe to peg his annual household income around at least $150,000 as you did along with plenty of insurance and additional pension benefits.
Let's not forget that his role as mayor is part time. I'm not sure there is a precedent anywhere else for giving a part time employee full time use of a company vehicle. Same thing goes with the cell phone, laptop computer, free newspapers, and I heard they pay for the internet in his house too!
This just isn't right. When a city is in as tight a spot as Naperville is with the budget deficit it's true leaders need to lead by example. They need to cut their own pay and benefits and perks to demonstrate to city staff and city employees as well as the taxpayers at large that they, as council members, are tightening their own belts until this is over... because the mess we are in happened while they were tending to the store and the buck stops right there with them.
Very sad to see Mayor Pradel vote "yes" to eliminate the six police officers that were recently laid off. I guess George has forgotten his roots, and further has forgotten why he receives his pension.....from all the years he worked at the Naperville Policice Department. I have always backed Mayor Pradel thru thick and thin, but that ended last night at the council meeting!!!
As little of a Furstenau supporter as I am, a) that has nothing to do with this blog. b) if he's sitting at Hooters having drinks, I'm going to join him. That's awesome.
Why do places have PR departments? They are the link between the community and the front office, at times. When the press wants interviews from city officials and employees, they're supposed to call the PR department. Sometimes, when city officials make statements, the PR department revises them. I'm not saying they are supposed to babysit the mayor, I'm saying they are supposed to be smart enough to protect him from mistakes like that. And they are not smart enough.
No angst, just don't like Dick... or George. I honestly think it's funny, as in peculiar, that DF goes to Hooters. I'm not comparing Hooters to Show Mes. Let's be honest, men go to Hooters to see the girls in tight clothing. If you say it's for the fine cuisine, ok, the wings are good, but come on. DF isn't there for the wings. He's there to look at young girls. Even if he isn't into that, he's a politician. It's stupid for him to be seen there. Plus it's in Aurora. He's been known to comment on the City spending money on things in Aurora. Thus, the hypocrite. I'm for the boy scouts, and I hit cops. He's delusional, at best. If we re-elect him, then I'll have some angst.
As for Mayor bumbleweed as you call him. First, congrats on an apt title. May I use it? I've seen him out scavenging. Never pays a cent for anything, I'll bet his wallet is in a safe deposit box. That's why he has a City car, He doesn't want to pay for a second car. He gets a pension, he makes $50k on the Tollway Board, he get's his Mayor's pay. He's got to be pulling down $150k, plus paid insurance, and we have to give him a car? That's just flat out wrong. If there was such a thing as investigative journalism, we'd find out that no other Mayors get cars to drive. I don't think County or State elected officials get them. Why the Mayor?
La Cuc,
Why all the angst? Hooters is a casual beach theme kind of place. Anyone who has ever vacationed in Florida knows what I mean and has seen dozens of similar concepts. Hooters advertise themselves as a neighborhood place not as a family restaurant. Plenty of people do choose to bring their children to Hooters so they do have a children's menu.
The point being there was no public outcry when Hooters opened years ago on Rt 59. There haven't been a rash of perverts patronizing the place, fights, or drunk driving accidents attributed to the place either.
Comparing Hooters and Show Me's is like comparing Pepsi and Coke. They are direct competitors offering a very, very similar product.
At least mayor bumbleweed got it right when he made called it a neighborhood kind of place though his analogy was off the mark in trying to compare it with Shakey's.
As for DF I could care less if he patronizes Hooters or Show Me's when it opens. In general I am all for our city council members getting out and around town to see what is going on and rubbing elbows with the people who elect them... and a certain percent of voters do patronize establishments that serve alcohol.
On the other hand mayor bumbleweed is a known cheapskate who is lightning fast to belly up to a free meal... which explains his eagerness to attend so many functions around town. What you don't see is mayor bumbleweed patronizing local restaurants and other establishments on his own or with his family and then digging into his own pocket to pick up the tab.
With DF, like him, love him, or not we pretty much get what we see. He spends his own money as he sees fit but at least does support local businesses and as a council member he has historically been very responsible with the taxpayers money, more responsible than any other single council member in recent history.
With mayor bumbleweed it is a lot more deceptive and truly hypocritical. He is cut from the democratic, life long union member cloth that has no problem with city spending and raising taxes. Personally he talks the talk as Naperville's head cheerleader, but when it comes to putting his own money where his mouth is and help support local establishments he doesn't walk the walk very well.
Probably put the bill on a City expense account too!
Are you serious? He is a hypocrite... at best. He criticizes anyone for drinking in the downtown, having any kind of fun, no loud music coming out of restaurants. He's always talking about kids and family values. He can't go to Hooters. All of the rest of us heathens can go, not Dick. I don't want to see him there. It's creepy.
I guess I'll have to hang out at Show-Mes, with the Mayor. Let Dick have Hooters... which is in Aurora by the way.
June,
That's good stuff. Does he sit in the corner and ogle? There some real weirdness here that we need to uncover.
June,
The first thought that came to mind is that if it is OK for you to be at Hooters and spot Dick walking in the door... then how can that possibly be any kind of a problem for Dick?
On second thought though, since Hooters is just an other restaurant, open to the public, and a legally operating establishment I guess I really don't care if either you or Dick want to patronize it.
Attention Walmart shoppers....Dick Furstenau AGAIN spotted in the Fox Valley Hooters. Maybe Dick can do a public service AND an ad for Hooters.....maybe he can promote the "Slappy Meal" for kids, the "fist" full of wings basket, or better yet....Hawaiian "Punch" with vodka.
La Cucracha,
I agree that this is sign that this is an election year, but not for the reasons you state. I agree with June that this is minor.
-JQP
I think his/her point is that no one just gets in to see the mayor that easily. You've got to say who you are and why you want a meeting. Maybe you get one, maybe you don't. Those who don't may never know for sure why they were turned down. Those who do get an appointment are usually screened and properly vetted to make sure they are legit and not some kind of a crackpot.
An "interview" with the media generally goes a step further, especially if some kind of recording equipment is going to be used. This is where it gets interesting because most savvy politicians these days want to see the questions up front so they can be well prepared, not be embarrassed, or blindsided by some out of the blue question.
Clearly mayor bumbleweed had no idea what he was walking into and there either isn't anyone at city hall watching his back or who ever is supposed to be watching his back didn't do their job.
Anon 11/29 8:97,
I ignored the first comment regarding the PR group, but two times is... interesting. What do you know? I would assume that the all knowing Mayor would know the difference between right and wrong, but I guess, in an election year, we blame the bureacrats, fire the PR Director, and retain the Mayor. Makes sense.
The Mayor is a smart guy, right? Enlighten us on the PR Department.
Again, start pointing some fingers at the PR department.
June,
I disagree, in your opinion it's minor, in mine it's major. He's an embarrassment and a fool. He has no idea what he's doing. I'm interested to know if he violated the City's code of ethics? If so, he shouldn't be left alone.
Has Krause or Miller commented on this other than to say they'll talk to the Mayor... who will say, "I'm just an ex-cop, I didn't know." Which is exactly why he should not be Mayor.
June,
If you can provide a legal definition of the difference between a MINOR and a MAJOR mistake the mayor of one of the largest cities in Illinois is entitled to make while performing his official duties I'll at least be willing to keep an open mind in terms of whether or not this truly was minor or not. After that we can have a separate discussion in terms of whether or not this was truly a MISTAKE or if the mayor knew exactly what he was doing.
I do know that if just about any regular city employee had done the same exact thing as the mayor did he/she would have at least received a reprimand and quite possibly could have gotten fired for having made such remarks.
Maybe the city council should take this whole matter up at their next session and determine if what the mayor did warrants an official censure? Otherwise, it is up to the Attorney General to determine if he broke any laws. The court of public opinion is nice though it really only helps us to use public opinion to keep from electing or reelecting fools, criminals, and bumbling idiots. Two out of three isn't bad though.
George made a MINOR mistake....leave the poor guy alone.
Furstenau's Backhand,
Oh, but he did. Or did you forget? Only he was driving a city snow plow at the time which can do a heck of a lot more damage than an automobile.
Sounds like more madness from king George!
Sadly, the man does not have the grace to realize his legacy can only be soiked by running, and winning, another 4 years as mayor.
Given his health, and occurences like the one described in this thread, I cannot understand A)Why he is running, and B)WHY we will elect him again.
Being a nice guy, and a great ambassador and mascot, is a lotta fun, but please ---- we need a skilled politician going forward.
The simple fact is that our little town is beginning to deteriorate --- our home prices have dropped, unemployement is rampant, the bonuses are not what they once were, busineeses have eiter shrunk or left.
We need someone more on the ball to attract jobs and stability, NOT wear sombreros, do advertisements, and spell things out with human chains.
Rham Emanuel for Mayor! He will get the council straightened out.
Couldn't agree more with Anon 11/24 11:13. Pradel has had a nice run. People still like him. Go out on a high note. This is just another indication of his poor leadership. In fact, it's no leadership. Just read the DH article on Boyajian. George says he's the "anchor" of the Council. Not that I'm a big fan, but he runs the City. He tells Pradel and Krieger what to do. Everything is orchestrated by Big Jim.
George, again, end on a high note. You can't do anything for the City's economy, you have no financial experience, and you are a follower, not a leader.
Miller and Krause. Use this. Find compromise. Use George as a ribbon cutter, glad hander, speech maker. Pay him $50 per event. He doesn't need the money. It's all gone to his head. He thinks he's smart because people tell him that to get what they want. Please George, pull out of the election and let the City move on.
Anonymous 11:13:
I don't think that is a fair or educated assessment of the mayor at all. When he accidentally drives a car into a tree because he thought the gas pedal was the break, then you can make that call. Speaking in an ad (poor judgement or not is debatable) does not make the man senile.
My father-in-law has "senior moments" too. That is why the state no longer lets him drive a car... because his demential and Alzheimer's affects his ability to make rationale and competent decisions.
Unfortunately, the aging process slowly affects most seniors eventually and when it does it is time for them to let go, not time for others like Ms. Crosby to make excuses for them. The mayor is not a rookie and after serving this many terms he should have know better.... and if he doesn't then it doesn't speak well for his ability to assess a situation and or control his own mouth.
Now more than ever the people of Naperville need a mayor and council members who are in full control of their faculties at all times. We can not afford the problems associated with dealing with seniors who are having "senior moments". If he isn't competent to be mayor without having to excuse or justify his behavior as a "senior moment" then he shouldn't be running for another term.
Better to retire on a high note than to serve honorably for several terms only to be voted out of office as a career ending embarrassment.
Sounds like a mistake on the part of the city's P.R. director. Maybe he/she should take the blame for this one. In times like that, the mayor needs guidance because he's not familiar with those situations (TV/Radio/Newspaper). That's what a PR person is for, or is he/she not that experienced to have understood that?
Weisner, if approached, wouldn't have donethe "ads" because his PR people would have been wise enough to understand to tell him that it would be a bad idea.