Dear Editor:
On March 31, then-mayoral candidate Jesus “Chuy” Garcia put in an appearance at the Center on Addison (an extension of the Center on Halsted) to address gay seniors at their Golden Diners luncheon, fielded questions and mingled with the crowd. Mindful of the Center’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, Garcia asked for no one’s vote, stating only his position on various issues.
It took a great deal of pull on the part of yours truly to bring this event about. There was much hue and cry on the part of the Center on Halsted’s management when I broached the subject of an invitation to, not an endorsement of, Garcia. The Center dug in its heels at the idea of Garcia showing up on its turf. Concerned about its tax-exempt status, it nixed the idea even of an invite. I went through with my plans, anyway. After all, as Modesto “Tico” Valle, executive director of the Center on Halsted/Addison has repeatedly said, “This is your community center.”
Enter both Rahm Emanuel and former U.S. Congressman Barney Frank. This duo partook in a mixer and discussion at the Center on Halsted on March 25. I am quite sure neither was forewarned about electioneering. Yet Frank, during their presentation, put in a pitch for Emmanuel’s candidacy.
So much for fairness and the statement “This is your community center.”
Craig Teichen, Boystown