Political Strategist

                    Alderman's Note

                   I created the "Grass Roots Journal" during the campaign of 2005 at a time
                when the politicians were beginning to take themselves far too seriously.

                The Marzullo-Lovero-Stillo party had reduced the campaign to mud-slinging
                in their desperate attempt to maintain their strangle hold on city government,
                Berwyn residents and the taxpayers' bank accounts. The political battle had,
                once again, been reduced to name calling bordering on libel.

                My campaign had set out major goals which I wanted to achieve if elected. I
                had listened carefully to the residents in my Ward and completely understood
                their concerns, large and small. I had made a commitment to work hard.

                I knew what I had to do. What harm could possibly result from injecting a
                little levity into a political campaign that had become so ugly. Residents were
                getting tired of the dirt balls. Berwyn residents deserved so much better.

Politics has been one very strange, unusual and interesting experience. Keep
in touch with me and I'll tell you all about it.

Berwyn's

Grass Roots Journal Page One

Berwyn's Official 8th Ward Newsletter

Joel Erickson Receives

Major Endorsement

Just weeks before the April 5th Berwyn City Elections, Joel Erickson, Candidate For Berwyn’s 8th Ward Aldermanic seat, received a huge boost in his campaign efforts with the unexpected endorsement from Joe Cocker.

“I’m very proud to receive this endorsement from my good friend Joe Cocker”, Erickson said. “I have known Joe almost all of his life. Joe comes from a long and noble line of Cocker Spaniels. He is an honorable fellow with a brave and gentle heart and strong character. If he sees people are being mistreated, his brave heart tries to protect those being victimized. He doesn’t bark much, but when he does bark, he means what he says.”

Erickson went on to say, “Joe and I have been through a lot together and he has always proven himself to be a loyal friend. I love Joe Cocker and I know that, if you get a chance to know him, you will love him too.”

Joe Cocker relaxing before his speech

Joe Cocker Endorses

Joel Erickson

Joe Cocker
”Joel Erickson Needs Your Help”

Excerpts From Joe Cocker's Speech
Endorsing Joel Erickson

"I am very proud to have this opportunity to endorse my best friend Joel Erickson. I have known Joel almost all of my life. He is an honorable man with a strong but gentle character. He has a very gentle heart but, if he sees people are being mistreated, his brave heart tries to protect those who are being victimized."

"We’ve been through a lot together and Joel has always proven himself to be a loyal friend, always ready to lend a helping hand. He has provided me the finest veterinary care available, a good and safe life and a warm and cozy home in Berwyn. I trust him to always be there when I need him."

Inside This Issue
The Leadership Team For A New Berwyn:        Page 3
Erickson Names Joe Cocker Campaign Manger
Erickson’s Opponents Charge Nepotism:         Page 4
Joe Cocker’s First Political Poll As The New
Campaign Manager:                                                Page 4

Page Two

(Excerpts from Joe Cocker’s speech continued)

"I love Joel and I know that, if you get a chance to know him, you will love him too. Maybe you won’t love him as much as I do and I'm sure you won’t lick his face like I do, but I bet you will like the guy."

Mr. Cocker went on to say:

“I could stand before you today and recount the embarrassment we have all suffered by the behavior of those controlling our city for the last eight years. But I would rather not engage in negative campaigning. The residents of Berwyn are much better than their current leadership and the residents of Berwyn deserve leadership that looks to a better future and not the corruption of the past. “However, I will say that I am offended that the politicians who have controlled City Hall over the last several years call themselves Democrats . They sure don’t act like Democrats. They behave like thugs and bullies. Believe me, I steer clear of the fire hydrants near Mr. Marzullo's home.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m hearing the same old promises from the same old politicians who have not kept the promises they made in the 2000 election or the election of 1996 for that matter. I think it is also fair to say that it seems like they will do or say anything to get elected. All the claims they made four years ago turned out to be untrue. After they are elected, nothing happens. Then they get busy increasing their salaries and cutting deals with friends and raising our taxes.”

“I honestly believe that they think that you are so gullible that you will continue voting for them year after year no matter what they do. Joel is hopeful that the people he's working with (no matter what political label they apply to themselves) are responsible people who want to build a great city.”

Joe Cocker

After several minutes of applause, Mr. Cocker continued:

"To make matters worse, they have very little concern or regard for guys like me and my friends. If we become lost, we are frequently picked up and taken to a far away animal shelter. Virtually no effort is made to find our owners who sit at home worried about what may have happened to us.”

“It would be so easy to create and set up city programs which treated guys like me and our owners with a little more respect and concern. And this could be done at virtually no cost. But in eight long years, the politicians at City Hall have cared only about themselves and their own re-elections."

"Joel Erickson wants to change all that and he needs your help. Joel's wife is a veterinary surgical nurse and a professional artist. She is concerned that the city has no plan to help us when we are lost or abused. She too is dismayed by the city's disregard for guys like me. She wants to help Joel change people's hearts. I can assure you that Joel Erickson will make our city a safer place to live for all of us. “

            "I strongly recommend that, when you cast your vote in the Berwyn city elections on April 5, 2005, you vote to restore strength and respect for Berwyn by voting for Joel Erickson for 8th Ward Alderman, and the others running with Joel. It would be a kind favor to me personally and it will be greatly appreciated by all of my friends in the neighborhood.”

                                  Warmest personal regards,
                                 Joe Cocker

Ways To Support

In addition to distributing literature, displaying a sign or introducing Joel and other candidates to your friends and neighbors, your financial help would also be appreciated.

As it turns out, running a campaign is surprisingly expensive. Between printing, postage costs and other costs associated with the effort, costs can run up surprisingly fast. Your contribution in any amount would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your kind concern.
Warmest personal regards,
Joe Cocker

FREE COPY OF FULL NEWSLETTER
(while supplies last)

Please note: You are welcome to a copy of the entire newsletter while supplies last. Simply send or email your mailing address to me.

Erickson Names

Joe Cocker

Campaign Manager

Opponents Accuse Erickson
of Nepotism and Deal Making.

Just days after Joe Cocker’s unexpected endorsement of Joel Erickson for Berwyn’s 8th Ward Alderman, Erickson named Joe Cocker as his campaign manager.

Joe Cocker contemplating solutions to
the city’s problems

Opponents immediately took the opportunity to accuse Erickson of nepotism. Others suggested a deal was made whereby Cocker would endorse Erickson in exchange for the highly paid Campaign Manager position.

Erickson defended his appointment and denied the nepotism charges by pointing out that Joe Cocker was a different species. “To be able to sustain the charge of nepotism”, Erickson claimed, ”the family member has to be of the same species."

Erickson further said that any suggestion of a deal was ridiculous. He had been looking for someone with a lot of grassroots experience to fill the position and Joe Cocker was able to show many years of experience working at the grassroots level throughout the 8th Ward. “Mr. Cocker has frequently been seen talking to neighbors, examining the condition of curbing, buffalo boxes, fire hydrants and other city resources” Erickson said. “Joe has gotten to know many of the families and children in the neighborhood and he’s known for his friendly and quiet demeanor.”

“As a matter of fact, not a single applicant for the position had anywhere near the grassroots experience of Joe Cocker”, Erickson said. “Joe has a view of life and the world around him that is truly unique to politics.”

This did not quiet Erickson’s opponents who demanded a full scale investigation and the appointment of a special prosecutor.

We will keep you posted as this matter develops.

Joe Cocker’s First Political Poll

Appearances are said to be very important in politics, so I’ve decided to take this poll of voters to ask whether or not you prefer Joel with a beard or without a beard. I have been told that it is little things like this which can make a big difference in a political campaign. This is my first campaign and I want to do a good job for my candidate so let me know what you think. Thank you.
Sincerely
Joe Cocker

Please mail or email your vote to:
Joel@BerwynFirst.com
Citizens For Joel Erickson
1240 Maple Avenue
Berwyn, IL 60402