MEET THE CANDIDATES: Eva Magnuszewski: Alderman-At-Large

Eva Magnuszewski is running for re-election as an Alderman-At-Large on the Democratic ticket. Although Alderman Magnuszewski has not accepted the nomination of Working Families Party-the radical ACORN front group, she did accept their nomination for her first campaign for Alderman in 2007, so at least she has done the right thing by rejecting their endorsement this time.

Magnuszewski was one of the 13 Democratic Aldermen who allowed fellow Democrat Paul Catanzaro to violate the City Charter during the February 2009 council meeting by speaking against and then voting against his own ethics violation, despite the fact that section 4.7 of the charter prohibits an Alderman from speaking on, and voting on a matter of personal interest. Although section 4.7 mandates expulsion from the council for any Alderman who violates that section, not only did Magnuszewski fail to perform her sworn duty as an Alderman by enforcing section 4.7, she actually joined Catanzaro in his vote which was in violation of that section.

Magnuszewski has also done her part to add to the embarrassment of the city in the recent council attacks against the city audit firm. During a September 2009 meeting of the Administration, Finance, and Law Subcommittee, a story in The Herald quoted Magnuszewski as comparing municipal finance to her own personal checking and savings account, and asking the auditor why they both can't work the same way.

Magnuszewski initially towed the party line by opposing the recent proposed changes to the city blight ordinance, but in the end, Magnuszewski did support correcting the defective ordinance that had initially been drafted by Tim O'Brien when he was still an Alderman.

In March 2009, The Herald did quote Magnuszewski as complimenting Mayor Stewart's State of The City address. (City councilors applaud Stewart's message; by James Craven, March 12, 2009). According to The Herald article, Magnuszewski said she found the mayor's message to be optimistic but based in reality. According to the article, she said "I was very impressed" and "He did a remarkable job outlining the accomplishments of the city while remaining realistic about the economic crisis."

Magnuszewski was also reported to have said it pleased her to bring out the work being done with the food pantry, the effort to end homelessness in the city, and the revitalization of the central business district.

At least Magnuszeski, through her remarks about the Mayor's March address, has shown her ability to compliment the Stewart Administration for work well done, despite some of her fellow Council Democrats who have demonstrated they can never see anything positive no matter what the mayor may accomplish.