About ASCO : A Microcosim of What is Wrong with Edgewater
Founded with good intentions as a way of representing over 30 Sheridan Road Condominiums from Devon to Foster, ASCO has morphed into a prime example of an undemocratic organization or tool of its President Sheli Lulkin and her hand picked board of directors (sycophants).
Of the 35 + buildings in ASCO, only 8 persons are authorized to vote on issues. The remaining buildings can only comment and observe. According to ASCO's President, " sometimes we listen to what they say". But most of the time, you couldn't care less! That is fact.
Many times, ASCO doesn't even convene a meeting before taking a position on an issue. According to the President of this group, "sometimes we don't have the time". How convenient. Yet, this bogus organization maintains what it calls its LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. The only problem, no one from any of its member buildings, except the handpicked board even knows what the agenda is. And it is documented that the building condominium boards, which are charged with developing the positions of their respective buildings, ARE NEVER ASKED BY ASCO WHAT THEIR POSITONS ARE! That's if they even know what the agenda is!
Sheli Lulkin, ASCO President, represents herself as speaking for over 17,000 condominium residents within the ASCO membership. She has, through the years, succeeded as portraying herself as the "go to person" on issues regarding Sheridan Road and buildings therein. Alderman to State Reps, State Senators, Committemen and the like wear a path to her door on bended knee because they have been lead to believe Lulkin represents the considered wishes of her group. Nothing could be further from the truth. The truth is she represents her own interests, many times at the expense of the community. She has her own agenda, period. This is exceedingly well documented.
Unfortunately, what is not well documented are the issues, inquiries from businesses and the like that ASCO has insinuated itself in under the guise of representing the membership, and how many of those issues and businesses were queered in the area as a result of ASCO, thereby negatively impacting the bests interests of the community as a whole.
And now, the Edgewater Intelligencer is proceeding to expose ASCO for what it is. We are calling on you, the concerned residents of this community to provide us your experiences with ASCO. We will publish them without citing your name.
HERE'S HOW ASCO LISTENS TO THEIR MEMBERSHIP: AN INTELLIGENCER INVESTIGATION OF ASCO AND LANDFILL EXPANSION
Here is a breakdown of the precincts within the ASCO boundaries. The vast, vast majority of the buildings lying within these boundaries, particularly east of Sheridan are condo's and are members of ASCO. So the following properly and accurately reflects the positions of the residents from buildings which are members of ASCO.
Precincts EAST of Sheridan Road from Rosemont to Hollywood (from north to south); 2,13,22,33,8,26,39 TOTAL VOTES CAST: 2484 TOTAL VOTES AGAINST: 1931 (78%)
Precincts EAST of Sheridan Road from Hollywood to Foster: 5,28,36,9,29,14,23
TOTAL VOTES CAST: 2078 TOTAL VOTES AGAINST: 1186 (57%)
Precincts WEST of Sheridan Road within the ASCO service area:
TOTAL VOTES CAST: 2688 TOTAL VOTES AGAINST: 1549 (57%)
Note one precinct within the ASCO member area voted in FAVOR of landfill expansion.
What is particularly interesting is that even in the ASCO area not immediately on the lake, a decided majority of residents are opposed to landfill expansion. In our area, the level of opposition is even more pronounced.
The results of the referendum clearly and unequivocally establish that an overwhelming percentage of voters residing within the ASCO membership buildings REJECT landfill expansion.
In the face of that clear expression of rejection by ASCO residents, doesn't one have to ask why ASCO has been silent from a corporate standpoint? Why ASCO has never had this issue on their agenda? Why ASCO has not responded to our request for action? Why ASCO does not have this issue even scheduled for their agenda? And finally and most troubling, why the ASCO president Sheli Lulkin has and continues to speak favorably of landfill expansion, favoring the "island concept"? That certainly doesn't even remotely reflect the views of the significant majority of the ASCO building residents.
Is this an organization that represents the views and interests of their membership, particularly on such an important topic as landfill expansion? Or is it an organization that represents the views of its boss? The latter seems closer to reality at present. The return on investment (annual dues) at present seems to be pretty darn close to zero. Instead, ASCO is an organization created to be the mouthpiece of Sheli Lulkin. Without the organization, she is nothing. With it, people who don't know better think she actually speaks for 4000 persons. Nothing could be further from the truth.