* Kristen McQueary has a must-read column today on new congressional candidate Martin Ozinga III. She includes his bigtime contributions to Gov. Blagojevich’s campaign fund and details even more…
Ozinga has opened his checkbook for gubernatorial candidates, Chicago aldermen, Mayor Richard Daley, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District officials and city ward organizations.
His company, Ozinga Bros., holds a lucrative and powerful position as the sole provider of concrete for city of Chicago projects. He’s handled the big kahunas: Sox park, Soldier Field and the reconstruction of the Dan Ryan, sending his red-and-white striped trucks to pour ready-made cement wherever needed.
* McQueary then asks whether someone who plays in that sandbox can stay clean. Ozinga replied that he and his family have longtime personal associations with Mayor Daley, and adds…
“He knows we’re Republicans from the south suburbs. Maybe because he knows that, our experience with the city of Chicago has always been straightforward, very professional, regulated and aboveboard. That’s the simple story.”
* Kristen concludes…
After 40 minutes, I wasn’t entirely convinced. For railing against the system, Ozinga is doing pretty well within it, running a multimillion-dollar company and befriending politicians on the charity and fundraising circuit.
But she also looks at the positive side. Go read the whole thing.