Friday, April 13, 2007

Berny will tell you anything to keep his job -- even lie!

LIE #1: Naisy will increase property taxes.

TRUTH: Naisy supports a property tax cap and is in favor of the proposed legislation in Springfield capping our property taxes to 7%. Naisy also supports tax reform, including the way in which public schools are funded. She supports the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability's proposed state legislation which would reduce property taxes by 25%. Berny on the other hand has increased taxes we need to pay, like our gas bills, and has wasted tax payer money in frivolous projects like the wall on Howard, which cost tax-payers $150,000 to build and then another $150,000 to take down. On top of that, he led the fight to give himself an $82,000 pay raise saying that he was, “worth the money.”

LIE #2: Berny has worked hard for our schools.

TRUTH: The “new library” at Boone School is 10 years old and was fought for by parent advocates—not Berny Stone. The Rogers School campus park was six years late in the making and cost tax-payers twice the amount of money because of the delay. In addition, a new school at Whipple and Northshore was promised 10 years ago. Residents have yet to see this new school break ground, and have had no input in the location or focus of the elementary school. Currently Berny is not an advocate for our schools in City Hall. Naisy, as a mom and member of the Decatur Classical School’s LSC would fight for our kids’ future.

LIE #3: Berny is fighting hard for safer streets.

TRUTH: Just one year ago Berny Stone publicly opposed the cameras our CAPS representatives requested, actively turning down money set aside to use them in the 50th ward. Now he has two cameras up in an election year, neither of which are operational yet. This is too little, too late. Naisy is in favor of street cameras to keep our public spaces safe for our children and would advocate for increased police foot patrol in our neighborhoods. For her safe streets plan she is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police.

LIE #4: Naisy is beholden to special interests.

TRUTH: Naisy is an independent voice. Since Naisy went into the run-off she has gained the support of two unions, and is proud to stand up for working families, but their contributions to her campaign only make up less than 7% of the total she has raised. Berny Stone on the other hand has accepted over $150,000 in special interest money from big business and developers wishing to do business with the city (www.elections.il.gov). Naisy rejects “pay-to-play” politics and has built her campaign from the ground up, with hundreds of modest donations from family, friends, and neighbors in the ward looking for real change.