WICKER PARK — Members of the Latino business community met with Mayor Rahm Emanuel at Wicker Park's Subterranean or "SubT" Lounge on Tuesday at a gathering called "Latinos for Rahm" hosted by the wife of Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) and the club's owner.
Billed as "a community meeting" on Emanuel's Facebook page, the event was more like a "a meet and greet" and was not a fundraiser, according to Michelle Gomez, a West Town salon owner and one of about 50 attendees.
"It was not a fundraiser. It was a stop for Three King's Day [holiday] and Rahm wanted to meet with the Latino community in the 1st Ward," Michelle Gomez said.
Gomez said she was undecided on whether to support Emanuel's re-election prior to the event but after hearing Emanuel speak, will likely be supporting him.
"We went to hear him out and I think I am going to support him. I like everything he said and I believe he wants to do more for the city and for our neighborhoods," Gomez said.
The evening was co-hosted by Robert Gomez, owner of SubT Lounge at 2011 W. North Ave., and held in the club's upstairs music hall.
Gomez (no relation to Melissa Gomez), said that the event was titled "Latinos for Rahm."
Robert Gomez, 48, said that he will be supporting Emanuel's re-election.
"I was impressed with the direction that he has taken over the past four years and plans for future, like his improvement in parks and CTA and education. I know that education is a hot topic and I believe in what he is doing," Robert Gomez said.
According to Robert Gomez, Emanuel spent about 45 minutes talking about his ideas for economic growth for businesses, and spent more time on education as it relates to the Hispanic community.
"[Emanuel] spoke about the number of Hispanic students in the city and changes he has made and will continue to make that will improve education for that community citywide," Robert Gomez said.
Emanuel told the group that some of the schools citywide that serve Hispanic students are overcrowded and that Emanuel suggested "directing students where they can be better served," Robert Gomez said.
Robert Gomez said he did not think Emanuel was referring to charter schools.
Moreno could not immediately be reached for comment about the event early Tuesday.
Steve Mayberry, an Emanuel campaign spokesman, said that a community meeting can be defined as an evening stop-by at someone's house, or at a larger venue.
"He is doing a series of community meetings, this was one of those events," Mayberry said.
Among the candidates challenging Emanuel is Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.
A recent poll by David Binder Research shows Emanuel well ahead of his challengers, scoring 44 percent of the support while Garcia measured 16 percent and Ald. Bob Fioretti (2nd) capturing 15 percent. Some 11 percent are undecided.
However, if Emanuel fails to win at least 50 percent of the vote in the February election, he would have to fight it out in a two-candidate runoff contest. Under that head-to-head scenario, the mayor leads Garcia by 12 points, according to the poll.
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