$153 Million Opportunity Lost
Someone wanted this covered in the comment section. We guess it's just another opportunity to smack Shortshanks around. He's probably going to get the money anyway when Obama gets sworn in:
Mayor Daley said today he tried to salvage $153 million in federal funding awarded to Chicago to create 10.2 miles of "bus rapid transit" service, but "inflexible" federal bureaucrats would not allow it.
"They were flexible for the banks. They were flexible for bailing everyone out. But, when it comes to us ... they said, 'No. The next administration will handle it -- Obama's administration.' So, that was it," Daley said.
We expect quite a bit of Federal "largess" to be winging its way to Chicago and Illinois pocket books shortly. And we imagine one or two of the Federal corruption task forces may just fold their tents and go someplace else around the same time. We truly are cynical.
Labels: corruption
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
21 Comments:
Get rid of the bus system and build a subway system. Buses destroy the roads and get in the way !
I agree with SCC that the Feds will lighten up and be very generous to Chicago under an Obama Regime.
But, the real question here is: How can the Mayor be so carefree, with a $153 million dollar freebie, in this time of financial crisis and disaster?
You can't have it both ways, either we are in the worst financial crisis in Chicago's history or you are full of it, and bankrolling the Olympics under false pretense.
If we had a voracious, bulldog media it would make a great story.
April 30, 2008
U.S. DOT grants $153 million to Chicago
For the second time in less than a week, the U.S. DOT has awarded federal grant money to a major city as part of the agency’s congestion initiative.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced on Tuesday, April 29, that Chicago will receive $153 million to develop a bus rapid transit system. The grant will fund four pilot routes in the new system. Buses will use their own dedicated lanes and be equipped with technology that gives them the right of way through busy intersections.
The grant is conditional upon Chicago privatizing its metered parking system by Dec. 31. A privatized system will lead to higher costs to park, DOT officials said.
“Higher street meter rates during the morning and evening rush periods will encourage commuters to take transit downtown instead of driving,” DOT officials stated in a press release.
The grant money comes from a program titled “National Strategy to Reduce Congestion on America’s Transportation Network.” The former transportation secretary, Norman Mineta, announced the program just before he resigned in 2006.
On Friday, April 25, Peters announced that Los Angeles will receive $213 million grant from the same program to fund bus transit and free up city money to pay for the conversion of high-occupancy vehicle lanes to high-occupancy toll lanes – part of the DOT’s effort to promote congestion pricing and tolling.
The New York State Assembly recently refused a $354-million federal grant to fund transit and assist New York City in implementing congestion tolls for vehicles entering Lower Manhattan.
Grant money for Los Angeles and Chicago came from the same pot of money, a DOT official told Land Line.
– By David Tanner, staff writer
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It seems to me that the fed govt must have requested the mayor provide further explanation of his intent to spend their money. This a-hole had 6 months to abide by their request, and he's bitching that he needs 13 more days to provide them with an answer?!
It seems to me that the mayor dropped the ball, and its his fault we lost the money. But as always, he has to blame somebody else for his mistake.
You gotta love NY. They said FU-keep your money-we're not charging our citizens more money to come into our downtown.
some of these guys are going to get really wealthy.
We truly are cynical.
How could you not be?
"Inflexible" feds. Excuses, excuses, excuses. Daley's boy, Huberman fucked up. Period.
You're only King in Chicago, Richie.
So it seems like someone in Washington is sticking to their guns when it comes to taxpayer money and the economy. If cities/businesses can't do what their supposed to do in the allotted time then they should lose out and then maybe next time Daley will have his shit together. Maybe people will see how bad he is as a mayor and city manager.
HOW COME HUBERMANN'S FRIEND(BOYFRIEND) HAS A NICE NEW SHINY CROWN VIC W "M" PLATES THAT REGISTERS TO THE CTA AND IT NEVER MOVES FROM IN FRONT OF THEIR RESIDENCE IN THE 4400 BLK OF N.RACINE. GUARANTEED IT WILL NOT MOVE AND BE COVERED IN SNOW FOR A LONG TIME. BUT YOU TAKE YOUR SHIT SQUAD ANDGO MAKE AN ARREST. NOT!!!
We truly are cynical.
How could you not be?
1/11/2009 10:07:00 AM
We're not cynical... just shell shocked from corrupt politicians!
.
On Sunday morning's wbbm talk radio Lil dick stated that he has no worries because chicago is obamas city, Ill is his state...
not a quote, lots of background laughter. The slimy kind.
Also lil dick:
in ref. to lost funding...
why is a deadline important anyway?
I don't know, maybe I'll get my city sticker in...November?
Murder city
OT: But important if you live in an area near the Cook County Forest Preserves!!
Please Officers and any City workers that pay hefty taxes to live in a home near the wooded areas in the City!
Take a second to read over and sign the petition to NOT BURN THE WOODS to make prairies again (burning to create areas for condos or homes)!
We HAVE to live in the City shit hole but why get rid of the areas that make us feel like we live in the suburbs or small towns?
We sure as hell do not profit from this and our property value of our homes may be affected by this....
Southside or Northside it doesn't matter..
http://urbanwildlifecoalition.org/
Bus lanes? Like the bike lanes that nobody uses but fucks traffic up to the Nth degree?
After the massive parking fee increases, who the fuck would go downtown anymore anyways? Bucket boys and thugs?
I'll take the "el" to court,airport, etc....but I would never put my family on one of those stinking, shitbag infested trains to go down to a GD fest or "Freaknic" like Taste of Chicago.
As soon as O'Bama is sworn in, that Money will be sent to Huberman via a Western Union Money Gram.
The "BOY" on 4400 N. Racine will drive that New Crown Vic, with the "M" plates, to go pick it up. Those plates are so he will not have to personally pay for any red-light, meter, or gasoline fees. All comped by the CTA. ATTA Boy Ron!
Anonymous said...
HOW COME HUBERMANN'S FRIEND(BOYFRIEND) HAS A NICE NEW SHINY CROWN VIC W "M" PLATES THAT REGISTERS TO THE CTA AND IT NEVER MOVES FROM IN FRONT OF THEIR RESIDENCE IN THE XX00 BLK OF N.RACINE. GUARANTEED IT WILL NOT MOVE AND BE COVERED IN SNOW FOR A LONG TIME. BUT YOU TAKE YOUR SHIT SQUAD AND GO MAKE AN ARREST. NOT!!!
1/11/2009 01:24:00 PM
WOW! Kind of catty of you puttin' out a guys address like that...
Did you get dumped for the new roomie?
Then we better not hear anymore about how much coppers cost the city in law suits...Imagine if a PO screwed up like that.
I bet the lapse was purposeful... Daley would not forget about free cash..... I imagine that Obama will be kicking in substantially MORE once he hits office... not suggesting that it is a favor repaid, anything like that, mind you, but what better way to slush some funds around?
The grant is conditional upon Chicago privatizing its metered parking system by Dec. 31. A privatized system will lead to higher costs to park, DOT officials said.
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So getting this grant was contingent upon the mayor selling the parking meters. That's interesting. Whats up with that?
So now the working citizens are stuck paying outrageous parking fees and the city didn't get the grant anyway. Thanks to the mayor.
Anonymous said...
HOW COME HUBERMANN'S FRIEND(BOYFRIEND) HAS A NICE NEW SHINY CROWN VIC W "M" PLATES THAT REGISTERS TO THE CTA AND IT NEVER MOVES FROM IN FRONT OF THEIR RESIDENCE IN THE 4400 BLK OF N.RACINE. GUARANTEED IT WILL NOT MOVE AND BE COVERED IN SNOW FOR A LONG TIME. BUT YOU TAKE YOUR SHIT SQUAD ANDGO MAKE AN ARREST. NOT!!!
1/11/2009 01:24:00 PM
Give me the plate I will look into it FM
The lapse was purposeful. Kreusi in DC, and Huberman in Chicago had something in mind to blow this off.
There was something more to this.
Probably as crooked as the parking meter deal Daley just jammed through.
That's okay. Daley will just creat another TIF to make up for the lost cash.
WOW! Kind of catty of you puttin' out a guys address like that...
Did you get dumped for the new roomie?
1/12/2009 12:05:00 AM
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Oh, puh-leeeez. Like the EXACT address isn't readily available on that zaba site. There ARE no secrets anymore. You don't have to like it, you just have to realize it.
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