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Chicago 2016 will file its final candidacy papers February 12, and the committee reached another victory Thursday with the approval of all event venues from the 26 international federations. However, some feel that taxpayers should have a more active voice in the discussion of whether Chicago should take on the events. In addition to the panel discussion at UIC this Saturday by the organization "No Games Chicago," another group has created the "Unlympics" to create more dialogue among Chicagoans.
The Chi-Town Daily News wrote a great story about the organization InCUBATE that put the events together. The Opening Ceremonies were held last weekend and included the traditional Olympic events of "The Lighting of Stuff on Fire" and "The Game Where You Win."
The events will continue tomorrow and through February 14, so it's not too late to participate in the "Run Around the Block and We'll Time You" event or the spelling bee and karaoke competitions. The purpose of the event is to foster an active dialogue, so whether you support or oppose the Olympic initiative, you can still participate in the fun. Check out the full events list, Facebook page, and other official information.
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I don't get what all the hoopla is about. Just look at the the track record. Mayor Daley's last big public/private venture was Millennium Park. It finished ahead of schedule and under budget plus it didn't cost the taxpayers anything. In fact the park has become such a success it is now generating revenue for the City. And this is just one example, there are many examples throughout Chicago where Mayor Daley's brainstorms are instituted by his family and buddies who sacrifice personal gain to push projects forward for the public good.
So everyone should stop being so down on Daley and his Olympic bid. I can't wait for the Olympics in Chicago. I'm certain all the events will be free to the public as the event will be run so efficiently there will be no need for additional revenue. See you there!!!
What I don't get, Dopplerd, is that such mismanagement, normal for the Daley years (CTA, O'Hare, Block 37, some sewer projects), is widely reported here in Chicago, but no one--or at least not enough people--seem to care. Granted, the city is run by and for Daley, his business pals and his political supporters--none of us really matter, like it or not; we just live here, while they own the place--but it's cause for despair. And the national press still treats Daley as though he knows how to manage a city.
The Olympics might be nice for two weeks, but they will destroy this city financially. It's the Chicago way.
I don't know. I've been in Chicago through one municipal election where I didn't vote for a single incumbent.
The true test of the Daley administration lies ahead. Aside from a few short bumps the economy has been expanding for the entire time Daley has been in office. The tech bubble didn't hit Chicago as hard as other large US cities. This ever expanding economy and large jumps in the property tax base have allowed Daley to cover his bumbling with goodies for his base and a happy cadre of city workers willing to campaign for him. Now the money is drying up and cuts will have to be made and service levels reduced. People will tolerate incompetence and a level of corruption when things are going well, but will turn on a dime when it starts effecting them. Look at the quick turn around by Streets and San when plowing and salting was cut back in December.
Daley expanded taxation during the good times and now has tapped almost every available source to further his pet projects. What is next? A city income tax? City spending expanded faster than the bubble and is now caught way overextended. I predict a real contender in 2011 for Daley's next job interview.
An engineer once told me that anyone can design a bridge with an unlimited budget and endless materials, it takes an engineer to design a bridge that is cost effective and uses the minimum amount steel and concrete to do the job. For too long this city has had an everyman building its bridge to the future. We need an engineer to take the reigns.
Love that engineer comparison. So very true.
I agree on all your thoughts. And yes, I think a city income tax is only a few years away at this point, thanks to Daley's 20 years of mismanagement*
*yes, he's done some fine things--I'm too pissed to list them now--but the general record is dismal.
Love the engineer comparison, too.
What bugs me most is Daley's "Dessert First" approach to city management. The four S's of municipal governement (Schools, Safety, Security and Streets) get treated as afterthoughts and Mill Park, the Olympics and friggen' green roofs seem to be priorities. Schools suck, police have no contract for 18 months, OEMC is a bloated disaster (no pun intended) full of double and triple pension dippers, and Streets and San gets things done but is so inefficient S&S leaders seem to be as surprised as the Miami DPW when snow hits the streets.
At least we know where the hot air to fill the jumping jacks comes from.
Ok, I will be fair, though it hurts me physically: While the school do suck, I think Daley really cares about public education, and has made the schools at least a bit better than they were 20 years ago. But I think you are mostly right, again.
I love the green roof thing: The mayor who cares nothing about mass transit--as shown by his actions and inactions over the last 20 years--is somehow considered an environmentalist by many. I guess that what happens when simple-minded people (many of whom seem to be college educated, har-har) read about green roofs and a few bike lanes. Daley* still hasn't gotten recycling right, either.
* and it is Daley who is the virtual dictator of Chicago, hence the constant blame.
Matilda, I have to disagree with you on the transit thing. I remember hearing about Daley getting $153 million grant for express bus lanes. Here is a link...
Indeed, but he messed up in meeting the deadline (though I am sure we will get the grant eventually). As well, Daley has a half-assed push for his congestion pricing plan--an idea that I think had general merit--and left Kruesi as head of CTA for far too long. Additionally, just when Huberman was starting to a bit of good at CTA, he was shipped off. And unlike Bloomberg, Daley has done of the good PR bit of actually riding the CTA, reinforcing the view that the CTA is only for losers who can afford cars or parking fees. Daley has offered only half-hearted support for mass transit in public, meaning he has spent little of his political "capital" on mass transit. I would pretty much give Daley a "D" on mass transit, and that's being generous. (For comparison, I would give him a "C" on public education and parks, and a "B+" on making Chicago more attractive for tourists, which I think is an important thing.)
Sorry, I meant that Daley has NOT done the good PR stuff ... silly me
Sorry, my snark my have been a little obscure. I totally agree with you. The link is to an article about how the city screwed the pooch and missed out on the money. I think it would be fricken' awesome to see Daley on the train with someone's sweaty armpit 3 inches from his face during rush hour.
It's all a matter of lining the right pockets at the right times. Look at the ward maps, Daley and the machine have made creating any kind of coalition almost impossible. Any time a shift in demographics might threaten that, they redraw the maps. The general public could give a rat's ass, because nothing puts people to sleep faster than redistricting. Well, maybe tort reform, but it's damn close.
When Daley steps down or dies or ascends into heaven (cause who is going to run against him? JJJ Jr?) they'll be shill until his kid, the one in the army, can run. I wish that was cynical of me.
Well, Albany, then I'm cynical, too, because I think you are 100% correct.
And I become more hopeless when I remember what people in this country once did when confronted with an out-of-touch, often corrupt monarchy. Clearly, our society has lost its spine and deserves whatever it gets in the coming years.
I'm just looking forward to seeing the Olympics at this point, as Obama's support no doubt ensures the nomination over the other even less qualified cities.
Time to look on the bright side. Maybe some updated or even new CTA lines, a nice park, some more efficient/cleaner public housing, and of course the debt Mayor Stroger will have to charge everyone to pay.