If it Ain't Nailed Down ...
Sell it! That seems to be the attitude of the mayor as of late. Has anyone else notice this phenomenon? A few years back, Daley needs money to fill a huge gap in his budget, and ::bam:: the Skyway deal suddenly appears, giving him $1.9 billion dollars or so to spend on pet projects. Maybe even some trucking or construction projects for his pals?
Earlier this month, the Sun Times had this article about a plan to privatize some or all of the operations at Midway Airport, city owned parking garages, the Millennium Park garage and the recycling sorting centers. And this article in the Tribune just days later says that the management and running of harbors is also on the board for possible sale.
Now, we are proponents of getting the government out of running things that can obviously be run more efficiently by private contractors. We're just wondering aloud at (1) who's going to get these contracts to run the airports, parking garages, harbors, etc., and (2) where are the job cuts in city departments that MUST take place to actually SAVE the money generated by selling these assets? Are we going to start hearing rumblings from city unions about parking attendants being laid off, harbor workers being laid off, plow drivers and other workers at the airport being laid off? Because THAT is where you'll see the savings.
Daley's budget gets bigger and bigger each year and so does the gap he can't cover without selling assets and raising fines and fees. And we can't see it getting any better in coming years unless someone really takes a knife to a whole lot of bloated bureaucracy and departments - after all, how many assets can he sell until the cupboard is bare? And when the cupboard is bare, the only thing left is raising property taxes which is sure to kill the building boom.
Earlier this month, the Sun Times had this article about a plan to privatize some or all of the operations at Midway Airport, city owned parking garages, the Millennium Park garage and the recycling sorting centers. And this article in the Tribune just days later says that the management and running of harbors is also on the board for possible sale.
Now, we are proponents of getting the government out of running things that can obviously be run more efficiently by private contractors. We're just wondering aloud at (1) who's going to get these contracts to run the airports, parking garages, harbors, etc., and (2) where are the job cuts in city departments that MUST take place to actually SAVE the money generated by selling these assets? Are we going to start hearing rumblings from city unions about parking attendants being laid off, harbor workers being laid off, plow drivers and other workers at the airport being laid off? Because THAT is where you'll see the savings.
Daley's budget gets bigger and bigger each year and so does the gap he can't cover without selling assets and raising fines and fees. And we can't see it getting any better in coming years unless someone really takes a knife to a whole lot of bloated bureaucracy and departments - after all, how many assets can he sell until the cupboard is bare? And when the cupboard is bare, the only thing left is raising property taxes which is sure to kill the building boom.
posted by SCC at 10:03 PM
23 Comments:
yo estoy numero uno
I'm first I'm first #1 the man.
The marine unit rocks
Forget the rest:
FOG in '07!!!!
Malcolm, fuck you and your "European American" bullshit!!
respectfully,
a white dude (and NOT European American....dickwad!!)
Harold was a good thing only in that he shook up the established order of things. People who had stolen and grafted their way to success were forced to take a step back while Harold allowed the graft and stealing to make it's way to other pockets.
Don't ever kid yourself that Harold was some noble savior sent to right the wrongs of the white establishment. Harold made his buddies just as rich on the backs of taxpayers as anyone else before or since. Harold spread it around a little more liberally.
We were much better off with Harold, no doubt about it. He knew that he couldn't upset the white voters or the police too much. Lots of bluster, but didn't hurt us.
The best for the police by far was Jane Byrne. She started out rocky but came through for us in a big way. We got unionized and our pensions and benefits were secure. She was the widow of a Marine pilot so she took good care of her boys in blue. Her biggest regret was the CFD strike, big mistakes on both sides.
Remember, if you are old enough, who ran as a spoiler to elect Harold.
Other than Jane Byrne, Harold was second best to the cpd. He was easy to deal with and he let us have a little bit more money and benefits.
Talk about Daley, remember ROBOCOP! In that movie, the city of Detroit moved to a privite police force of robots, managed by a private firm. Sounds crazy? Maybe not! The little green man may be thinking of that next. Goodby FOP. So long pension! You'll be right next to the Wal-Mart greeter in respect. Adios GOLD STARS, you won't be needed anymore.
Mayor Byrne was good but didn't clean out the corruption.
You've got to wonder where all the revenue is going too in this city. Hell, residents with burglar alarms now also have to register their alarm, get a permit and display the sticker. Just like a business.
Many of the city departments are understaffed.
It also makes me wonder if Daley makes Midway private, then "if" the airport expands it will be off his shoulders.
Why can't we have leaders in this city that know how to make a stand on issues and stick to their guns and not run from the media when asked questions?
I would like to see a complete breakdown of where the money is going in our city before election day.
SELL THE ALDERMEN!!!
WANT TO SAVE MONEY? WE ONLY NEED LIKE 5 OF THESE GUYS. WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY THERE DO NOTHING ASSES ARE!
I have worked in the 004 dist. for years. We were always reminded to drive through the PORTS located on the lake front and Calumet river. The Police have always been welcome at the PORTS and were given access with no questions asked. There is a huge sign at the Port entrance saying "Patroled by the Chicago Police".
Some time with in the last year the PORT operations at IRIQUOS LANDING located at 95th St. Has been taken over by a private company. There is no name stating who is control of the PORT and dont ask because they won't tell you.
They also will not allow you access to the port as a Chicago Police Officer even if your in uniform and a marked Police vehicle.
The standard answer is that the Chicago Police are not authorized to enter the Property at any time unless THEY the PORT have a 911 emergency and authorization is given by the PORT manager.
Now last time I checked the PORTS were owned by the Illinois PORT Authority and the PEOPLE of Illinois. In the past some of the available buildings could be leased by private companies. The PORTS were operated by the PORT authority who always welcomed the Chicago Police to tour the PORT at any time.
In the past month I have tried to access the PORT at 95th St. While on duty. The gates are always pad locked, understandable. The security guards and I have talked to several speak very little englsh and all have a strong Nigerian accent.
The responce is always the same. The Chicago Police are not authorized the enter the property. The the guard writes down your plate number.
The other day after I received the standard answer I was also told "you must back away form the gate immediately".
I wanted to drive through that fuken gate and, well lets not go there...
This is an International PORT owned by the PEOPLE of ILLINOIS. Is supposed to be protected by local, state and federal authorities. I have never seen a U.S. Customs official at the PORT. Not in the last 15 years or so. Customs at one time were stationed at OUR PORTS.
Who knows what or who is comming off these boats (SHIPS).
Note no chemical detectors, no Radiation detectors, no CUSTOMS. Who knows whats comming in on the boats and leaving in those trucks all day.
These PORTS are in our nieghborhoods. But don't worry they have a non enlish speaking $6.00 an hour security guard protecting the port to make sure nothing or no one illegal gets in to the city. He sits in a litte shack at the gate marked Chicago Police, with a big blue Chicago star on the door. Just behind the big sign that reads "Patroled by the Chicago Police Dept".
What gives the them right to use the Chicago Police name and logo?
I can't use it for my Security company, and I am the Chicago Police. And yes I speak english!
Oh, allmost forgot to tell you about the real cool sign on top the guard shack. It tells you what security alert status the PORT is at, DEFCON 1 or some bullshit.
Check it out for yourself, you too will say WTF???
anyone got any info on a new sgt class? they gonna go off old list?
Who the fuck is talking about the Sgt class, asshat?
What in god's world is an asshat young one?
Jane Byrne good for the police? She sold the Department to the outfit in one lot. How about her police Supt. AKA Blinkie, or Tarzanski? Remember how many patrolmen wer elevated by him to exempt spots back then? The last one just retired as a Deputy Supt. How may doors did she kick down in her career? Patronage employees from the City Water Department were better paid than the police back then. She might have had some genuine empathy for police officers but she was a rotten manager whose brief tenure was pock marked by the same corruption seen today.
Guys and Gals, you got to understand how the political game works. These bozos get elected by us...because we like them, they are the lesser of the evils, or whatever reason we use to vote for them...One of the perks of being elected is you get to throw some cash to your cronies. Plain and simple. Pick a mayor or alderman and if you researched the people they have put in place or helped put in place, the 6 degrees of separation game is down to maybe 2 degrees.
Daley is selling off assets he was losing control of anyway. The skyway is an albatross that would never pay for itself under the city control. Midway is all pretty now but with the FAA breathing down Richie's neck about the expansion of O'Hare, and the Meigs Field fiasco, he has to worry about spreading himself too thin. He won't be able to concentrate on people he has working for Kenny Construction at O'Hare as well as the people at Midway so he is letting some of them go. Fiscally sound move.
Daley won't eliminate the Streets and Sanitation Department because that is where most of the cronies who don't have education and skills go to. These are the schmuks you see standing in the rain outside the polling place. Streets and Sanitation is the first thing that should have been sold off...Our garbage collection, street repair, etc. This stuff could be done by outside contractors for less money...they do it in other citys across the courntry. But Richie can't quit them because that is the backbone of his patronage army.
He knows we don't like him but what are our choices: Rev Meeks, Jesse Jr., some unknown Republican? I really think this year if the Republicans wanted to run a viable candidate, someone who wasn't crazy, who is known, I really think they might have a chance to generate enough votes to beat Richie. I for one know I am tired of the Dumbocrats in this city. All they do is make knee jerk decisions that end up costing us millions.
Sorry about the rant but needed to vent. Stay Safe Boys and Girls.
Gunfire kills another girl in Englewood
March 12, 2006
BY MAUDLYNE IHEJIRIKA Staff Reporter Advertisement
Only a week after the city was left reeling by the shooting of Starkesia Reed in her own home, another teenage girl was shot and killed Saturday night in Englewood, Chicago Police said.
According to a preliminary report from Chicago Police News Affairs late Saturday night, a 13-year-old girl was killed in the 2600 block of West 70th Place.
The girl was taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, police said.
The latest shooting happened only a couple of miles from the residence of Starkesia, who was killed March 3 by a stray bullet in the 6700 block of South Honore.
Police received reports of the shooting shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday, according to Police News Affairs officer David Banks.
Wentworth Area detectives were on the scene late Saturday night, and an investigation was pending, Banks said. No further details were available.
AND THANKS TO SECTION 8 HOUSING THESE SAME SAVAGES ARE BEING PLACED IN HIGH TAXED AREAS FOR FREE. BUILD A 50 FOOT WALL AROUND ENGLEWOOD.
Yeah. Everyone is so busy wanting to name a street after someone who verbally dvocated the killing of others.
Nobody is trying to do anything in Englewood, which looks like a bomb hit it.
Who is the Alderman over there? Where is RUSH? Gee, since he's playing the race card you would think he would be so outraged over the killing of our young people...
To: little Malcolm x
From: Me
Subject:your a bitch
Hey malcolm
your a bitch
meeks is a pussy too
leftisbest even more of a pussy
You gotta love those new PDTs. Now its harder for those dog to cheat the system. Can't check pending jobs no more! Now do those shoplifters on your beat. There is no escape but to bid out.
Byrne may have sold the department to the outfit, but Daley gave us away for the equivalent of a blow job and a dime bag.
If Daley needs extra money look in his basement, its all tax payers money.
Jane byrne's only fault was she let Burke/Vydrolyak run the police dept. There still running it.
I recall reading in the Wall St Journal, before he sold the Skyway, that he "sold"the 911 center. If I recall correctly, it was to a bank in Boston, and some Frenchies...
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