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India Post News Service
CHICAGO: Tony Preckwinkle, the President Cook County Board of Commissioner, pitched strongly for support from Indian and Pakistani community for her re-election bid to start with March 20 Democratic Primary
Het pitch was while addressing an ethnic media meet hosted by Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force (MEATF) and American Multi Ethnic Coalition (AMEC) headed by Kishore Mehta and Dr Vijay Prabhaker on February 12 at famous Hema Kitchen on Devon Avenue in Chicago.
Dr Prabhaker in his introductory remarks said that Tony is the first woman president of the Board and that she has done a remarkable job extracting the County from its budget woes by balancing it by overhauling income and revenue sides. She has endeared herself with her progressive and liberal views and is determined to do one better after a successful election bid.
Kishore Mehta welcomed all Media representatives and said that re-electing Tony would go a long way in preserving the good work that she has done besides having a liberal candidate at the helm of affair in the County.
Tony Preckwinkle in her address thanked for the support that Asian community has extended to her so far and assured that she strongly believed in reflecting the cultural diversity in her administration with a good representation of all ethnic communities. She cited that some of the top members of her administration are from India and Pakistan. In response to a question about raising property tax, she said that her administration has refrained from any increase so far but she could not rule out some adjustments in the future.
She also said that balancing the budget is her prime task and it was in this context that she saved close to $200 million by pruning the staff and cutting down unnecessary expenses. She regretted that her proposal to tax Soda and other drinks got embroiled in unnecessary controversy and was ultimately quashed.
She was given a pearl necklace present from Padma Shri Rama Rao and a huge welcome hug by Hema Kitchen owner Hema Potla who has single handedly got her restaurant placed among the top few in Chicagoland. Hema’s daughter Prameela was there too personally taking care of all guests. She presented Tony Preckwinkle with a garland made out of Sandalwood. This was highly appreciated by Tony and all those present.
Ramesh Soparawala
