ScottsBigMouth

$100,000 and Springfield Dropped The Ball

I was appalled yesterday to learn the IL General Assembly had adjourned without a budget bill.  Governor Quinn and state legislators just couldn't come to to the table and at least halt the bleeding.  At a reported $100,000.00, they all showed up for a special session to do nothing, and meanwhile the people suffer.  Cuts are coming, a train wreck is just about to hit, and our state officials took a two-day trip to Springfield just to sit there and do nothing.

Whether the hole is $9 billion or some other number is not the issue.  Whether Gov. Quinn and John Cullerton are having a disagreement over recall legislation isn't the issue either.  The issue is that what is best for the people of Illinois is being ignored, again.  Unfortunately it seems to be more important to pontificate about whose fault it is, who is running for Governor or U.S. Senate next year, who's marching at what parade, and who's got the next bead on the next political rally; than it is to actually govern.

We have no idea where or when this is going to be resolved.  Meanwhile, millions of dollars in IL Dept. of Human Services programs sit on the chopping block.  Line items directed at cutting HIV/AIDS programs, drug treatment, food for the hungry, and emergency intervention services for the homeless also are pending.  Finally, literally billions of dollars in stimulus program money may be in jeopardy, again, simply because the Governor and the Assembly still can't come to figure out a solution.

Early reports this morning are that Gov. Quinn and the rest of the Democratic majority in Springfield has one set of numbers (around $9.2 billion in the hole) and Republican Gubernatorial aspirant State Rep. Matt Murphy claims to have another...and a solution.  Of course both camps are positioning this budget fight about who's going to be in the Governor's mansion while Illinois' dependent citizens and the rest of us suffer.

It seems that the only person in Springfield who doesn't have his head in politicoville is IL State Comptroller Dan Hynes.  According to Tuesday's Chicago Tribune, Hynes is reportedly proposing a 60-day spending plan coupled with state agency disciplinary policies that could align the budget into something the Guv and the Assembly might be able to see eye-to-eye on long term.  Of course, neither Quinn nor Cullerton are budging, or jumping behind Hynes' plan--the only reasonable option that has been proposed in any real detail.

Why?  Well its really simple really.  Neither the Governor nor the members of the General Assembly want to go on the record to cut programs, pass ethics reform, reel in campaign contributions, or curb spending.  None of them want to be seen as doing anything that would be seen as hurting someone.  The problem with that attitude of course, is that we put them there to take action, and have the intestinal fortitude to actually make some decisions.  It is common sense not to target these programmatic cuts at the poor, and liberals will scream bloody murder when it happens (and it might).  On the other side, the endlessly pro-business Republican troops led by State Rep. Christine Radogno claim Illinois will continue to lose jobs and businesses if Illinois raises any taxes or fees or passes any sort of perceived anti-business measure.

So who's right?  First and foremost, Hynes.  He is the only executive within the State of Illinois who is proposing a solution.  Both sides need to strap on a pair and get in line behind his simple first-step plan.  Otherwise we're going to be in the middle of that aforementioned train wreck before the end of July.

Request for Proposal (RFP) ID: ARB06242009

The Foval Group Inc.

Scott Foval, President and Principal Consultant
911 W Carmen Avenue #3F, Chicago, IL 60640 United States Primary Address
www.foval.com WWW
scott@foval.com Email
1-847-380-9028 Office Phone
fovalgroup Skype Online Phone
1-312-519-6466 Mobile Phone

Request for Proposal for Business Services

1. Internet Web e-Commerce Site Creation, Architecture, and Implementation

2. Internet e-Commerce Web Site Hosting and Management Services

Client: CONFIDENTIAL
Business Area: Small Business: Dance/Reception Hall, targeted at multi-lingual community audience (English/Spanish-speaking)

OVERVIEW:

The Foval Group Inc. has been retained by a confidential client for the purposes of identifying and securing an interactive design and implementation provider to help them with a standard small business e-commerce website, and secure 1-2 years of hosting services for that website.  Starting out, the client will have a basic internet presence as a "placeholder" in order to provide identification, location, and contact information for the business.  However, within 3-6 months of initial operation, the business owner and management have expressed a desire for a phased-rollout of a more functional website with the following goals.

A. Provide online photos and diagrams of the facility for prospective customers to view the specific amenities offered, the condition and suitability of the facility for parties and receptions, and to allow for meeting/party planners to consider using the facility for their guests.

B. Provide an online calendar and reservation capability (perhaps using Google or other "cloud" based services) to allow for prospective customers to reserve the facility and specific amenities with a deposit.  As well, this same system will be used by the facility manager and owner to keep track of inventory available for the facility and its amenities.

C. Provide an online "shopping cart" that customers can reserve, secure, and pay for reservations of the facility and amenities; as well as for customers and planners to acquire and view or upload for reservation requirements; appropriate contracts, liquor licenses, deposit receipts, and final bills issued under said agreements.

D. One to two years of hosting and customer service support in accordance with the terms laid out below, preferably with the purposes of managing the clients' overall needs in a comprehensive and long-term manner (i.e. acquisition of the customer relationship after 2 years).

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS (AS APPROVED FOR RELEASE BY CLIENT):

The creation of an Internet web site
begins with a plan.  That plan ultimately will determine the purpose,
scope, architecture, and creation of the website.  Successful
implementations depend upon two key factors.  1. Aligning business
goals with a website design that supports and enhances those business
processes, 2. Tactical execution of the design of the site in a manner
that engages the visitor and converts them into a fan or customer in a
natural and seamless way.  For retail businesses, this can mean
implementing eye-catching design with an eye towards helping the
visitor become a customer and interact with the business whether they
are standing at a counter, are talking on the phone, or are on the
website.

Creation and implementation of both the strategic and
tactical in a quality website design for retail and physical
brick-and-mortar businesses requires a keen understanding of the
user/visitor experience, and the physical user/visitor experience
alike.  Ideally a good website will support the physical brick and
mortar process, by enabling an integration of the two.  In effect, the
website will deliver both physical and online visitors a satisfactory
experience and integrate the experience in the conversion to "customer"
through an inherently "natural" use of technologies available.

The Internet e-Commerce site that will be created for the client will include the following factors...

1. 
Primary presence and design, logos, and copy writing.  Bilingual
(English and Spanish) options for entry and navigation, site and
product tours/demo, and video introduction/walk-through.

2. 
Online reservations and scheduling service for both core businesses
(unified architecture, dual purpose), click-to-call / click-to-chat
service for inquiries via SKYPE/other VOIP vendor, vendor sign-up and checklist section for
third-party planners, check-listing process for catering, fee schedules,
and licensing as necessary.

3.  Services section with online
shopping cart, tax calculator and quote generator, services agreement
process (certified, sequential, secured via credit card or PayPal),
online deposit, payment plans, and pre-event invoicing.  Section for
third-party planners will include add-ons, and preferred-partner access
to scheduling and contract builder/delivery, as well as possible
third-party resources.

4.  Ad service will include options for
third-party moderated advertising placement on the main website(s),
secondary links to Chamber of Commerce, discount coupons, online
invitation and RSVP services, on affiliate or paid-placement basis as
determined by the client.


2.  Internet e-Commerce Web Site Hosting and Management Services

The
final piece of the puzzle for ongoing bricks-and-mortar / online
business integration involves quality hosting and ongoing site
management services.  This involves a guaranteed 99% target up-time for
site operations, execution of site e-Commerce processes, auditing of
site operations and traffic, transaction processing and management, and
overall site health and ongoing business operations.  It also includes
emergency site triage, in the event of an outage or problem with the
operations of the site and business.

Software as a service
(SaaS) is a core concept that most clients are not familiar with prior
to this area of the discussion.  As we will be architecting the
proceses in the business strategy and tactical design processes around
a "delivery vehicle" that actually allows for online and offline
integrated operations as described in step 2, we are using SaaS
processes to execute and operate the selected functions we have
proposed.

That means for your business an integrated set of
hosted processes and site that will allow for functionality without the
need for you to invest in hardware or software in order to make those
operations happen.  From reservations to booking, contracting to
support, web-based e-commerce and purchasing...all will happen in the
same place for a monthly fee plus per-transaction service charges.

The
hosting will be billed monthly to a corporate credit card, or annually
(with a significant discount!).  Additionally, per-transaction fees
will be automatically billed for each transaction that is processed
when a customer makes a purchase, places a reservation deposit,
reserves a product or service, or pays for add-on services on the
site.  Management, billing, and ongoing monitoring for 99% targeted
uptime will occur in collaboration with trusted large hosting and
services providers.  If for any reason there is a determination that
the site is not operating properly, there are problems, or changes need
to be made, the monthly maintenance fees will include a set number of
on-call or emergency support built-in to the costs.

At no time
will you be at the mercy of a large, no-name company.  The Foval Group
Inc. takes primary responsibility for its clients' business, and at all
times we will be there to make sure everything is right.  At any time
when something is not right, we will act as the advocate and
responsible party on behalf of our clients to insure all problems or
glitches are corrected.  At no time will we leave you at the mercy of a
vendor.

As an included service, over the first month, three
months, six months, nine months, and year of service; we will deliver
site traffic statistics to you in a report, along with recommendations
for changes or improvements in the site for optimized operation. 
Furthermore, an automatic service included in all of our site
management arrangements is an ongoing Search Engine Optimization
process which will enhance and deliver traffic to your website in a
continuous manner, targeted and customized to your needs.  All of these
services are included in your monthly management services agreement.

NOTE FOR RESPONDENT FIRMS:

All responses for proposal should be routed to Scott Foval, President, The Foval Group Inc. for consideration by the confidential client.  Proposals should be in 15-page-or-less .pdf format, with pricing and add-on options clearly defined.  The winning proposal should be prepared to begin work on the contract no later than August 1, 2009.  All propoasls must be received by July 15, 2009; or they will be discarded.  At no time should RFP respondends attempt to contact said client directly, or they will be taken out of consideration for the proposal.  Once all RFPs are received, additional information from responding firms may be requested prior to contract award announcement.

Please email all responses and communications to scott@foval.com no later than July 15, 2009.  All submissions become property of The Foval Group Inc. and return communications other than a confirmation of receipt will not necessarily be made following the submission deadline, unless additional information is necessary to clarify a proposal.

Firms which choose to respond to this RFP should consider this to be a good opportunity for "defining their capabilities" to The Foval Group Inc. and its operating units, clients, and network of affiliated firms.  Responses should be considered "for Public" and should not contain trade data which would require a non-disclosure agreement.  Anything that is proposed as a response under this RFP should be able to be released back to The Foval Group Inc.'s vendor network as a "qualifying or winning proposal" as-is.  In other words, do your best response, and prepare for others to see it.

If your firm is chosen to execute this project, your firm and its principal consultant in charge of the project should be available via telephone and email to answer questions, and clarify expectations, finalize contractual requirements, and begin service no later than August 1, 2009.  Please be sure to include all applicable contact information following the format given above in this RFP.  The most complete and clear, accurate and appropriate responses with complete information and services definitions will be considered first and of the highest value in the evaluation process.

Thanks for considering taking on this project!

Warmest Regards,

Scott B. Foval, President
The Foval Group Inc.
911 W Carmen Avenue #3F
Chicago, IL 60640
847-380-9028 Office / fovalgroup Skype
312-519-6466 Mobile
scott@foval.com Email
www.foval.com
www.scottsbigmouth.com

John Callaway Passes Away After Heart Attack

Chicago's newshounds and fans alike are reeling this morning to learn that John Callaway has passed away at age 72.  Callaway suffered a heart attack in a Racine, WI, store last night and passed away, according to SunTimes.com.

Callaway was the host of WTTW-TV's "Friday Night" and "Chicago Stories" programs, and was the original host of "Chicago Tonight."  He also was the original creator of WBBM 780 AM radio's "all-news" format.

Most recently, Callaway was a key participant in the Chicago Journalism Town Hall event held in February, and had been advancing the discussion of what will be "the future of journalism" along with Chicago's young guns of independent news websites.  He had advocated and heralded the work of independent news sources, while representing the old guard of Chicago's journalism as one of its Deans.

Echoing what many journalists in Chicago thought about Callaway...on this morning's AM news, WGN-TV's Larry Potash called him "the best interviewer in the business."

Record Restitution Awarded In Chicago Wrongful Conviction Case

BREAKING NEWS ― FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Monday, June 22, 2009

For Information:  Jon Loevy, Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law, 312.243.5900
Andy Thayer, assistant to Jon Loevy, 773.209.1187 (cell)

Federal Jury Awards Victim
$21+ Million For
Chicago Cop Frame-up

Largest-Ever Verdict Award For Wrongful Conviction in Chicago History

PRESS CONFERENCE WITH WRONGFULLY CONVICTED MAN & HIS ATTORNEYS TODAY
AT 2:30 PM, OFFICE OF LOEVY & LOEVY ATTORNEYS AT LAW, 312 N. MAY STREET, CHICAGO

Monday, June 22 – A Federal jury late Friday and today awarded the largest-ever compensation for a wrongful conviction in Chicago history – $21+ million – $21 million in compensatory damages awarded Friday night and $15,000 in punitive damages awarded this afternoon.

The jury found that Chicago Detective Reynaldo Guevara framed former Humboldt Park resident Juan Johnson for the 1989 murder of Ricardo Fernandez, causing Johnson to be arrested at age 19 and sentenced to 30 years in prison.  Contrived identifications of Johnson played a key role in his conviction, and the exposur e of this invented "evidence" many y ears later finally led to his release.

As the present suit against the Chicago Police noted, "Defendant Guevara has a history of fabricated false identifications and then suppressing evidence of such misconduct.  Plaintiff has now learned of at least 12 Chicago Police Department Office of Professional Standards complaints against Defendant, with several suspensions against Defendant Guevara.  There have also been repeated specific complaints in other cases and to the media of Detective Guevara fabricating identifications and concealing the wrongfully tainted identification procedures."

Northwestern University's Center on Wrongful Convictions is currently investigating more than 40 other alleged frame-ups by Detective Guevara and his colleagues.  Despite voluminous evidence of his frame-ups and perjury, the Cook County States Attorneys Office has thus far declined to criminally prosecute Detective Guevara.

Johnson ended up serving 11½ years, much of it in maximum security prison, before the Appellate court reversed the denial of his post-conviction petition, and a jury acquitted him in a 2004 retrial.  Due to the police misconduct, Johnson spent his entire young adulthood behind bars, lost his wife, and missed the childhood of his daughter.

Johnson was represented in the civil suit by Jon Loevy, Elizabeth Mazur and Daniel Twetten of Loevy & Loevy Attorneys at Law; Thomas Gardiner of Gardiner, Koch, Weisberg & Wrona; and At torney Daniel J. Stohr.  Mr. Stohr has represented Mr. Johnson through both the criminal and civil proceedings for over 19 years.  Other organizations that played critical roles in helping bring justice for Mr. Johnson include the Center on Wrongful Convictions of the Northwestern University School of Law and a community group of friends and relatives of the wrongfully convicted, Comité Exigimos Justicia (We Demand Justice Committee).

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Panic In The Streets May (or Not) Happen in Chicago Over DTV Transition

I am laughing my butt off this morning about the FCC's "Defcon 6" status over the analog turnoff today.  If you've been watching TV here in Chicago, it is pretty darned hilarious that there are STILL clueless sheeple all over town who are going to be streaming out of the human ant hills of Chicago, angry literally losing their gourds because they won't be able to see "Barney Miller" reruns after 11:59 tonight.

I'm sorry, people...if you are so out in left field that you don't know, or don't have a box or new set yet; you probably need to just go to the library and read.  TV in the new millennium (i.e. 9 years into it) is just too complicated for you, and you need a refresher course in the basics of running your life; i.e. "Think and Grow Rich" or "Internet for Dummies."

Now, I exempt ALL old people from this statement.  But for God's sake, if you are a younger person (like under 70) who has let an in-law or your old lady neighbor go without a box, then you are a bad person.  I know I made damn sure my Grandma had cable, so we didn't have a problem today.  It opened up a whole new world to her, just like the Internet did, and now she sends me clips of Olbermann to make sure I'm on top of the day's political madness.

If people in the know haven't gone out and literally bought a box FOR an older person who doesn't understand what's happening, well then you deserve their wrath when they knock on your door at 3AM wanting to watch "M*A*S*H*" or "Three's Company" or "Judge Judy," and you deserve to be morally obligated to let them in and sleep in your place while you go out and fix their damn TV signal.

Here in Chicago it is estimated that more than 100,000 people are as-yet unprepared.  I'm telling you, we cannot allow this madness to happen.  Of course, should we feel sorry for anyone who loses their signal today who is NOT an old person?  No, let them go out and take to the streets in protest.  I'll be locked snugly inside my flat with "Laverne and Shirley."  If they're out on the streets its probably the first time they've been out of the house for the day, and then the FCC and CPD can handle them.  It might be kinda fun to watch, because if there is one thing the drug dealers in my neighborhood are afraid of, its the fruits and nuts who stream out on the street when the TV doesn't work.

ScottsBigMouth Funny Friday: Betty White Plays Beer Pong With Jimmie Fallon

FABULOUS!!! Betty is fearless, instant classic!

Thursday is Convergence Day at HDExpo in Chicago

Hey folks, just in case you have an interest in meeting up with me and The Chicago Convergence crew, want to talk politics and media, or are interested in learning more about The Chicago MediaHub Project and ScottsBigMouth.com--well come on down to the HDExpo at Navy Pier!

Here's the event registration link...
http://www.hdexpo.net/june/jun_registration.html

The HDExpo will be swarmed with "Convergers" Thursday, including ScottsBigMouth, to help get the word out about the Chicago Convergence event later this summer.  The Convergence is even sponsoring a networking event from 5 to 7.  So if you're going to be in the neighborhood look us up!  I'll be down there with the Convergence crew, snapping photos for Facebook and talking up both the Convergence and ScottsBigMouth/The Chicago MediaHub Project.

I hope to see some of you tomorrow after 2PM down at the HDExpo!  If you want to meet up earlier, drop me a line at scott@foval.com.  I plan to show up at McPier early to talk and walk.

Cheers and a BIG WELCOME for all the HDExpo folks visiting Chicago!

ScottsBigMouth / Scott Foval
Scott@Foval.com

AFL-CIO: Biden Refuses to Cross Fire Fighters Picket Line

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG | Biden Refuses to Cross Fire Fighters Picket Line Shared via AddThis

It would appear that Joe Biden and other senior Obama Administration officials have gotten religion when it comes to honoring Organized Labor's need for them to walk the walk.  According to the AFL-CIO NOW BLOG (posted above), Biden put his foot down and won't attend the U.S. Conference of Mayors event coming up in Providence, R.I., and neither will U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis; because IAFF (the Firefighter's union) is picketing against Providence's mayor for failing to negotiate in good faith.

Apparently the crux of the story is that the Obama Administration is beginning to remember to "dance with who brung ya" when it comes to Organized Labor, especially as it gears up for mega-fights on Universal Health Care, and the Employee Free Choice Act.  The act of refusing to cross a picket is a key signal that the Obamakins understand exactly how and with whom they arrived at the big dance in the first place.  Let's hope they also remember whom ELSE they danced with on the way, i.e. GLBTQ equality, abolishing DADT, getting true single-payer into the Health debate regardless of what Max Baucus' lobbyist buddies say, and removing suggested language allowing taxation on health benefits (which preys on the average worker's paycheck).

Mr. Vice President, we applaud you for correcting the bad decision making regarding Labor's issues, let's keep it up and make sure the President "gets it" that he'll only be a one-termer if he doesn't remember that corporations don't vote.

GLAAD: Hosts of Rob, Arnie & Dawn in the Morning Plan Special Broadcast on Transgender Issues

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Richard Ferraro
Director of Public Relations
(646) 871-8011
ferraro@glaad.org




Hosts of Rob, Arnie & Dawn in the Morning Plan Special Broadcast
on Transgender Issues

Eleven Advertisers Pull from KRXQ following GLAAD Call to Action
against Anti-Transgender Remarks

June 08, 2009, New York, NY – The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), the nation's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) media advocacy organization, today spoke with Vice President and General Manager of KRXQ-FM in Sacramento, John Geary, regarding the station’s planned actions to apologize for anti-transgender remarks. The conversation occurred after host Rob Williams posted a letter to the radio station’s Web site admitting "failure as a broadcaster."

"KRXQ appears to be taking this matter very seriously following widespread response from community members and advertisers," said Rashad Robinson, Senior Director of Media Programs at GLAAD. "Vice-President and General Manger John Geary assured us that the issue would be dealt with in a frank and positive manner this Thursday and that both Rob Williams and Arnie States will apologize."

GLAAD first contacted KRXQ after a concerned listener submitted a GLAAD incident report regarding dehumanizing remarks that hosts Rob Williams and Arnie States made encouraging violence against transgender children.

When the station failed to apologize, GLAAD issued a Call to Action urging constituents to call on KRXQ and hold Williams and States accountable for their remarks. GLAAD also distributed the Call to Action to LGBT advocacy organizations, social networking sites and media outlets.

According to the KRXQ, hundreds of letters poured in, prompting the station manager to promise that Williams and States would respond to their offensive segment, however, Williams and States failed to apologize for their remarks. GLAAD re-issued the Call to Action as LGBT advocates began contacting KRXQ’s advertisers to notify them of the offensive remarks.

AT&T, Bank of America, CKE, Chipotle, Guitar Center, McDonald’s, Nissan, Snapple, SONIC, Verizon and Wells Fargo all pulled advertising from the station or announced plans to discontinue future ad buys. GLAAD coordinated with each company to release statements to the media and constituents. For statements from advertisers please visit http://glaadblog.org/tag/krxq/.

"What people see and hear in the media has a huge impact on what they do everyday and how they treat LGBT people in their families, and local communities,” said GLAAD President Neil Giuliano. “We appreciate the proactive actions of advertisers who realize that their association with these dehumanizing remarks sends a dangerous message that this kind of defamation against our community is okay."

In a letter posted to the station’s Web site, Williams said that “as a show, as people, as broadcasters, we have simply failed on almost every level.” He also announced that the show would refrain from broadcasting new episodes until June 11, 2009 when they plan to address the issue again on the air. To read the full letter please visit: http://glaadblog.org/2009/06/07/update-krxq-radio-host-rob-williams-declares-failure/.

GLAAD spoke with KRXQ today on the planned show and booked two transgender advocates, Kim Pearson and Autumn Sandeen, to appear on the program and further educate the hosts and their listeners about transgender issues. GLAAD’s Media Programs team will continue providing resources about transgender issues to KRXQ and co-host Dawn Rossi, who has defended the community, prior to Thursday’s broadcast.

"We will continue working to demand Williams and States use their radio platform responsibly on future broadcasts,” said Giuliano.

About GLAAD
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. For more information, please visit www.glaad.org

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A Giant Floating CLUB! U.S.S. Abe Lincoln + Electronica = Nerdtopia

Like every self-respecting nerd, I appreciate the crossover between heavy military hardware and good Electronica.  So, when my friend Kristi posted this YT vid on FB, I just had to lift it and repost.  Now, where should we put the disco ball?

Jan says "NO" to Senate Bid, Says "YES" To Constituents

The blogosphere and news sites are all a flutter this morning about Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky's announcement this morning that she's saying "no" to a U.S. Senate bid.

I for one am excited to know that at least one of the people who represents me is more interested in doing a great job at her CURRENT job instead of just moving up the proverbial political ladder.

In this YouTube video talking about her intention to re-run for Congress, Schakowsky makes it clear that she doesn't want to become a political telemarketer, and that the money hunt is too big for a U.S. Senate race.  Hmmm...sounds like she gets what being a member of Congress is supposed to be about.  What do you think?