By Bob Seidenberg
The war of words and accusations between Sixth Ward candidates Council member Thomas Suffredin and challenger Candance Chow spilled over to a charity event for an Evanston group in Skokie last Friday.
In an email sent out to several media outlets, and statement after, Patrick Fowler, charged that Chow’s husband, Daniel, whom he had never met, he said, approached him at the event he was sponsoring for Wild for ETHS 2025 and confronted him about putting signs in front of his Bluestone restaurant, at 1932 Central St., supporting Suffredin.
“He told me several times that “there will be consequences” and called me a “child” for my support of her opponent,” Fowler said in an email. “He did this in front of event attendees, my employees working, other sponsors and my pregnant wife.”
”Normally I don’t let politics interfere with my day-to-day operations,” said Fowler, who sent out his concerns after to several media outlets, “but when my business, my employees, and my family are being targeted by spiteful politicians, I think it it my only right to let the public know.”
Asked about the charges Tuesday, Candance Chow called them “ridiculous nonsense,” and included a response from her husband Daniel, charging the conversation was brought on by “childish behavior” on Fowler’s part.
“I spoke with Pat Fowler on Friday night,” Daniel Chow said in his account. “On March 2nd, Candance held an event at at Comida on Central Street. Pat Fowler owns the Bluestone, which is right next door,” he said. “On the day of her event , someone placed several Suffredin signs covering Bluestone’s entire front window. Several guests who attended Candance’s event told us that they felt intimidated by this display. The signs were taken down after Candance’s event. I told Pat that putting all those signs up (were) childish behavior and beneath him.’”
In her response, Candance Chow said, “unfortunately, my campaign has had to deal with a flurry of false accusations and this is another one.” She attached a photograph taken by one of the attendees at the March 2 event, showing the Suffredin signs along the window.
She added: “I am the only person in this race who is prioritizing support for our business community in policy and action,” she maintained.
“I will not support bringing video gaming to our businesses or restaurants on Central Street, which is the only solution Tom has proposed in his eight years on the council.”
Fowler, chair of the Evanston Restaurant & Hospitality Committee, issued a letter of support last year for Council member Devon Reid’s proposal for a pilot video gaming ordinance to help offset business owner’s rising costs, and also generate revenue for the cash-strapped municipality.
Evanston officials began seriously considering the issue, with the American Legion Post 42 located east of the Central Street business district already receiving permission under state law to apply for video gaming terminals through the Illinois Gaming Board.
Suffredin, seeking a third term, and Chow, former District 65 president, have been engaged in a fierce battle in the campaign, trading charges from the onset.
The election is April 1.
This article seems like it was written by suffredin himself lmao. It’s ok when they intercede at a chow event but not when they’re confronted about it at one for suffredin? Gimme a break!
This sounds familiar. Pat Fowler also claimed that anti- NU stadium supporters were threatening him last year.
The Suffredin signs that he posted on the windows at Bluestone (on the day of Chow’s event) ran the length of his restaurant and were about 4 feet high. Really nasty!
This sounds familiar. Pat Fowler also claimed that anti- NU stadium supporters were threatening him last year. I would suggest he grow a thicker skin!
Agree. Pat Fowler also claimed that anti- NU stadium supporters were threatening him last year. I would suggest he grow a thicker skin!
It’s more important stuff in this world than this bull Pen)$. Grow up people
It’s more important stuff in this world than this bull Pen)$. Grow up people
I’m so sick and tired of Chow’s nonsense. If attendees at her event were “intimidated” by signs for Alderman Suffredin, they have bigger problems than who their alderman is.