My First Time Meeting Patrick Cacchione, 6th Ward Candidate for Alderman
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I had a brief chance meeting with 6th Ward Aldermanic candidate Patrick Cacchione earlier tonight. There I was with a friend finishing up my hot chocolate at The Gelateria and in walks Cacchione and a 6th Ward resident volunteering on his campaign. The volunteer introduces us and I say, “While you are here, do you know about the valet parking issue?” To which Cacchione responds to the effect of, “I think you’ve already made up your mind.” At first I thought he was referencing the valet parking — yes I’ve made up my mind I thought to myself.
After that initial second I relealized he was referencing my December 19th post entitled, “I Know One Candidate I Am Not Endorsing.” Here are a couple of paragraphs from that post:
After witnessing the 6th ward executive meeting from two tables away last night I can say this, there is no way in hell that I’d endorse Patrick Cacchione for alderman. He is clearly an integral part of the factional ward system I seek to destroy. This is the very system that has been holding back our city for decades. Why do we allow our city to be run this way?
In the end I may not make any endorsements at all, I might find reason enough to write-off every last candidate in the upcoming election. To one degree or another they all play the ward game. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of months but at the moment I can scratch one name off my list:
Patrick Cacchione.
He indicated they were there for coffee and turned around, he was unwilling to talk. I can’t exactly say I blame him for not wanting to be chatty, I was a bit strong on my commentary. Still, we are in a popular establishment located in the 6th Ward and he just met a friend of mine that happens to live downtown. Cacchione certainly didn’t make a good impression on her!
Candidates and elected officials have to be able to have conversations and deal with those who are critical of them. Yes, I made it clear he would not be getting my endorsement but he had a golden opportunity to make me feel like a heal for such a position. Boy did he miss his chance! Is this how Cacchione will treat others who voice objections to him?