LIL' BUDDY'S BLOG: YOU'RE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS ONE!
THE CHICAGO IL REAL ESTATE MARKET, AND OTHER THINGS CHICAGO, FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A LITTLE WHITE DOG!
Sorry, I just missed your call!
As you dogs all know - I'm an Equal Opportunity Dog! I very strongly feel we dogs should have the same rights as those in the two-pawed set. That's in regard to housing, employment, entertainment, even voting! Indeed, I even write my own BLOG - one of the top blogs written by a dog in the entire State of Illinois, I might add!
In the Chicago Suburb of Berwyn, however, about 7 miles west of Downtown Chicago and The Loop, one local government official may have gone too far!
Alderman Joel Erickson just sent his Ward Newsletter discussing Berwyn's new Animal Management Ordinance and other community topics not to the Humans in his ward - but to their DOGS! On the surface, now, that makes good sense - the ordinance most directly impacts us little furry guys, right?
It's the WAY Mr. Erickson got Berwyn Dogs' names that irks other public officials in the town. Apparently, he inappropriately "borrowed" the names from City Dog License Records - a big no-no for politicians sending out a mailing!
How did Erickson get pinched?
Apparently, The Berwyn City Treasurer, political opponent Gary Pater and his wife Mary received Erickson's "Grass Roots Journal" last week However, the newsletter was addressed to Elroy and Toby Pater, the family's two Lhasa Apso dogs!
The Pater's were concerned about how the alderman found out their dogs names - and Erickson was quite evasive in his answer! They suspected he inappropriately tapped the city dog license database for the information - and this seemed very creepy to him.
Berwyn City Clerk Tom Pavlik, another Erickson opponent, also took issue with the alderman's actions. He quoted city statutes prohibiting use of city records for many political purposes. Pavlik has called a special Berwyn City Council meeting to discuss the alleged infraction, and has also suggested the matter be discussed with the Illinois Attorney General, and the Cook County State's Attorney.
Alderman Erickson simply claimed he was trying to present community news in a novel way.
From a Lil' White Dog's point of view - novel and clever are fine. But inappropriately using a city records database - woof! Not Cool!
Next thing you know, the City of Berwyn will start issuing us dogs tax bills. Maybe even us dogs will start to get Pre-Approved Credit Card Offers - oops, the credit card companies have already thought of that!
Read Ted Gregory's article in today's Chicago Tribune for more info and video.
YOUR ACE REPORTER ON FOUR PAWS,
BUDDY HOLLY MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
