"Mile High Club" Confessions by: Jerry Pritikin

Back in the winter of 1971, I was making a trip from San Francisco to Miami Florida. I booked a flight on National Air Lines. It was about the time that airport security first set up metal detectors. In the beginning, they only used a wand to check you out, and did not provide a basket for keys and change. As it happened, the only metal I had on me was a metal cigarette case. Be that as it may, I did not have any real cigarettes inside, just 5 hand rolled joints. So as I was about to pass through the metal detector, I asked the security officer to hold my cigarette case... and when I got to the other side without any bells going off, the security officer handed me back my cigarette case. It was a day before National Air Lines were suppose to have a strike, so the plane was only half filled. About a couple of hours into the flight, I decided to go into the toilet and light up a number. Back then, it was still O.K. to smoke real cigarettes inside the john. I waited a few moments and then came out. I walked over to a window near the back entrance and looked out. It was a beautiful day, and there was bright blue sky with puffy white clouds. A stewardess walked over to me and said "YOU KNOW, WE ARE FLYING AT 38,000 FEET, AND I THINK YOU ARE AT 39,000!"

Extra! Extra! The True Story behind the expose!

There was a time, that I could tell you the story behind all my photographs... and what I was thinking at the time I took them. Thankfully, I may not bat a thousand... however one picture is worth a thousand words. The greater percentage of my photos are not set up or staged. Those are the ones I prefer. Some of the stories behind each picture might seemed to be embellished . I wish I could be so clever. A few moments ago, I was going through some old boxes of clippings and papers. I had to chuckle because forgot about the story behind this clipping. It's a "Would you believe" story.



Several weeks after this incident mentioned in the attached Examiner articleI, I was invited to a Knob-Hill party of a jeweler friend of mine. There were about 50 guest in a great apartment with spectacular Bay views. As I mingled, A dark haired guy introduced himself, then asked what I did for a living. When I responded that I was a photographer, he declared he had to stay away from people like me, because some photographer took a picture of him washing his car in Golden Gate Park! At that point, I said "Would you believe?"

Exhiled out of the 43rd Ward by:Jerry Pritikin

Part of the group of Seniors from the Maple Pointe Apartments who worked hard to get Michele Smith elected, and asked nothing in return.



A few weeks after Michele was sworn into Office, she gave a party for her volunteers and supporters.Seeing Andy Shaw there was like adding iceing on a cake. He has been the voice of reason, and for change in Chicago Politics as Usual! But it lasted just a short time for us in the 51st Precinct.

About a year ago, I got involved in Chicago Politics... because the 43rd ward had a chance for change. On this web site I wrote about events pertaining to this Ward. About a year ago, Michele Smith, the candidate I supported won as Alderman, and Rahm Emanuel received overwhelming results throughout Chicagoland to become the Mayor. It felt good for a change being part of the winning side.

A couple of weeks ago, because of the 10 year census, the 43rd Ward had to be remapped. At no time on the maps that were available, did they consider that the # 51st precenct remain in the 43rd. It was a done deal before we ever heard about it.
We will be part of the 27th Ward. I now think of myself as a man without representation.








From: jerry.pritikin@att.net
Subject: Re: Lincoln Park Saved in Remap
Date: January 19, 2012 12:21:16 PM CST
To: yourvoice@ward43.org

DEAR MICHELE,

Your letter overlooks the fact, we never heard you... fight for our 51 precinct to remain in the 43 rd ward. It's a very small section, but when you live there... news like this is Chicago Politics as usual. It hurts, because we fought and provided much of the needed votes that helped to win your election. Many of us did not give time to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's campaign, but had the opportunity to contribute to his Victory by voting for change. I'm sorry, but I feel short changed. I'm looking forward to help re-elect President Obama, but not going back into the 27th Ward. I never considered myself a Lincoln Parker. But a 100 % 43rd Ward resident. You could of brought this to our attention sooner, without us learning about it from a Press Release in a local newspaper. I don't always support a winner, and never felt sorry about working for a cause, win or lose. However, I now consider myself like a man without a country. Your letter states you will offer your help for those of us leaving your ward. I hope I never have the need. It's been fun while it lasted... but as Yogi said... it's over when it's over. IT"S OVER!

JERRY PRITIKIN


Lincoln Park Restored
Dear Friends,

Your hard work to save Lincoln Park has been successful. Just minutes ago, I, along with a majority of the City Council, voted to pass an amended Map For A Better Chicago that keeps Lincoln Park largely intact.

This Could Not Have Been Accomplished Without You

Your letters, phone calls, and e-mails showed City Council and the Mayor how much your community means to you. Your attendance at hearings throughout the City, most notably last week at DePaul when over 650 of you made your voices heard, showed the City how serious you were about being included in the remap process. The leadership demonstrated by our neighborhood community groups and former 43rd Ward aldermen formed a critical part of our mobilization efforts.

As you can see from the map below, Lincoln Park, instead of being cut up into five wards as proposed by the original Map For A Better Chicago, now remains almost entirely in the 43rd Ward.


The current plan for the 43rd Ward

Without your hard work, our community would have been divided into fragments that do not reflect traditional neighborhood boundaries. In the original proposal, almost half of Lincoln Park would have been excised from the 43rd Ward.


The original "Map for a Better Chicago" plan for the 43rd Ward

I would like to thank my colleagues in City Council who listened to our residents and helped restore our Ward - particularly 1st Ward Alderman Joe Moreno, 27th Ward Alderman Walter Burnett, and 32nd Ward Alderman Scott Waguespack. I was privileged to work with the Latino Caucus, under the leadership of Alderman Danny Solis, and City Council leaders Rules Committee Chairman Richard Mell and Alderman Pat O'Connor in forging a City-wide compromise.


Unfortunately, we were unable to save the entire Ward and we are forced to say goodbye to some old friends. I am happy to announce, however, that almost all former 43rd Ward residents will now be in the new 2nd Ward and served by Alderman Bob Fioretti. Alderman Fioretti is a fine alderman with a strong reputation for serving constituents.

For all of our residents: the new map will NOT take effect for some time - six months to a year at the soonest. There will be plenty of time for a smooth transition and I remain pledged to supporting all 43rd Ward residents, current and future, whenever they need my help.



I am proud to be a member of this community and grateful to be your Alderman.


Sincerely,

Michele Smith
43rd Ward Alderman
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Alderman Michele Smith | Alderman Michele Smith | 2523 N. Halsted | Chicago | IL | 60614





On Jan 19, 2012, at 11:24 AM, Alderman Michele Smith wrote:

When Then Was... Now!: There used to be a Ballpark : By Jerry Pritikin the Bleacher Preacher

When Then Was... Now!: There used to be a Ballpark : By Jerry Pritikin the Bleacher Preacher: www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4YQkrUCE80