EXTRA: On the shores of the Calumet (lake/river), 89 votes is victory margin

That final precinct is in. Aldermanic hopeful Susan Garza has an 89-vote lead over 10^th Ward Alderman John Pope. Some 5,747 ballots cast for Garza, compared to 5,658 for the incumbent, according to the Chicago Board of Elections.


The Chicago Teachers Union official and educator who campaigned on a platform that Pope was nothing more than a lackey for Mayor Rahm Emanuel may well have won!


OF COURSE, THERE’S also absentee ballots that may, or may not, change the vote margin. And the loser may well demand a recount, what with how close it is.

Although Garza gathered Wednesday night with supporters at Viveros, 9500 S. Avenue L, for what seems to be as close to a victory party as one can have without tempting fate.

“Our campaign will remain vigilant in observing the process by which (absentee ballots) are handled and counted, so the voice of the people is not stolen,” Garza said.

As for the 16^th Ward, Toni Foulkes has a 112-vote lead over Stephanie Coleman, Chris Taliaferro has a 500-vote lead over 29^th Ward Alderman Deborah Graham and 43^rd Ward Alderman Caroline Vickrey has a six-vote lead over Michele Smith. All with all precincts counted, the city Elections Board says.

SO IS ELECTION Day over? It depends on who you ask.

The ultimate “expert” on this issue may well be actor John Belushi’s “Blutto Blutarsky” character from “Animal House” when he screamed, “Did you say ‘over?’ Nothing is over until we decide it is!”

, in hearing the voices of people who have been ignored for so long, we together were able to upset the status quo and chart a new path for the forgotten 10th Ward," Garza said early Wednesday."Absentee ballots have yet to be counted completely, and our campaign will remain vigilant in observing the process by which they are handled and counted, so the voice of the people is not stolen."A Press Conference has been scheduled.....
WHEN: Tonight April 8th, 7:30PM
WHERE: VIVEROS - 9500 S. Ave.  -30-