Against the backdrop of Lake Michigan, Jim Ginderske held a barbeque to kick off his aldermanic campaign and give volunteers a chance to get acquainted. On Sunday afternoon, at Pratt and the lakefront, a third candidate officially entered the 49th ward aldermanic race.

Ginderske, one of many neighborhood activists who worked to defeat the recently proposed marina and Lake Shore Drive expansion, decided to run against Moore because of the serious problems in Rogers Park that aren't getting addressed.

'There are about 60,000 people who live in Rogers Park and about 20,000 of them have no health care. That's inexcusable.' Ginderske has been working with Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin(13th) to get funding for a neighborhood health clinic in conjunction with several non-profits experienced in working on these issues.

The location may now be at Misercordia, technically in the 50th ward, but Ginderske is amazed that 'we went through this whole process and essentially went completely around the alderman. He wasn't involved at all.'

He has named Thomas Westgard, a local attorney, as his campaign manager and Kathy Spratting, who recently soldEnnui coffee house, as his volunteer coordinator. 'I'm good at getting people together,' explained Spratting. She too, is ready for a change.

A small group was initially invited, but as the day wore on, passers by stopped in and gave Ginderske promises of support. The crowd grew, and was as diverse as the neighborhood.

Ginderske said that other issues he intends to address are the lack of activities for neighborhood kids and the detrimental effect it has on the community. 'The kids just get into trouble. They have nothing to do. It's unacceptable.'

He also plans to defend the lakefront from any future incursions that will destroy the unique lakefront environment that is the hallmark of Rogers Park.