Chicago 50th Ward: Past Aldermanic Elections

Newspaper clips covered the mustard colored walls of the Salman Aftab campaign office. Campaign signs littered the floor.

The 50th Ward aldermanic elections were a day away and campaign workers for Salman Aftab were frantic. The aldermanic candidate had locked his only set of keys in his car and his time to encourage voter support was quickly expiring.

Aftab, along with international architect Greg Brewer and community activist Naisy Dolar are campaigning against incumbent Bernard Stone, who has held the office for the past 33 years.

With one more day of campaigning and pressure quickly mounting, Aftab swiveled in his office chair, a pen in one hand and clutching his cell phone in the other.

His phone rang and almost as soon as he answered, Aftab turned to his computer and searched YouTube. A video posting criticizing his campaign popped up on the screen.

"Who posted this?" he demanded over the phone.

Frustrated, he sat back and put down his cell phone, "It's negative campaigning," he said.

Negative campaigning has been a primary problem for the Aftab campaign, a problem the candidate addressed when meeting with his volunteers and supporters.

"And that's the main problem I am facing right now, negative campaigning by the challengers to each other, which is giving more chances to the incumbent to win," he said.

"Stone has lost touch with people," said Aftab. "He's not aware of the issues."

The issues, Aftab said, range from higher property taxes to higher crime.

With each candidate addressing prominent issues such as the declining ward services and under-controlled development, Aftab suggested he had more on his agenda then the others.

"My agenda is, I oppose aldermanic pay increase," he said. "If anyone needs a salary increase, it's the policemen, firefighters, and teachers."

Police were the first on his list of pay increases as he discussed the crime rise in the Devon area.

Aftab talked about how crime issues hit very close to home as one of his volunteer's husband was recently stabbed in the are.

The issues of violence and theft are hot topics for many business owners in the Devon area.

"We've had robberies here a couple of times," said Abdul Qadir Jindani, owner of Dolly's Jewelers.

He looked down at the glass counters filled with gold jewerely and diamonds.

"People, they are hoping and expecting
"I'll give you my opinion," he said. "If somebody's challenging, 'I will stop the crime,' first thing, he's a liar."

For others, the prominent crime issues were more of civic irresponsibility then aldermanic neglect.

"I don't only blame people who [rob], I blame the customers as well. They leave their shopping so visible," explained India Sari Place owner Ratan Sharma.

Working on Devon since 1973, Sharma recalled the early days of Alderman Stone.

"Stone has been doing a good job for thirty years, but there has to be a change," he said, leaning onto a counter strewn with delicate imported fabrics. "Business has just changed."

And change is exactly what Salman Aftab vowed to do as he spoke to his supporters.

"I can not just sit back and watch," said Aftab. "I have to do something and that's why I thought I should run and make a change in the ward,"

Aftab said he had some advice for his opponents - quit.

"They don't deserve it," he said.