Weekend Diversion: Night Of The Ponies
Pedway, First Store Open At Block 37
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Around Town
Red-Light Cameras Not So Special?
If you've recently woken up in a panic realizing you parked on a snow route the night before and expected your car had been towed only to find out it was still there, you can thank the current Chicago budget shortfall for saving you a trip to the pound. Towing is running at half the pace compared to last year because the ones who get the tow trucks rolling -- the field vehicle investigators -- were cut back in last October's job cuts. It's actually pretty amazing towing hasn't been reduced further since only 4 of the previous group of 31 full-time investigators remain, and only 5 of 10 positions for seasonal snow tow work have been filled -- by some of the laid-off investigators.
But in laying off field investigators, did the City Council kill the golden goose? When facing a budget deficit of almost a half billion dollars, cutting people that generate revenue for the city seems rather, well, stupid. Especially since the investigators don't raise chump change -- in a letter sent to alderman last fall pleading to restore their jobs, "field vehicle investigators argued that they generated $27.2 million in annual revenue, nearly $1 million per investigator." And to make matters worse, Laborers Union Local 1001 business manager Lou Phillips says the city even botched the hiring of the positions they could afford:
"In previous years, when asphalt helpers were laid off in December, they were moved directly to Streets and San as field vehicle investigators. That wasn't done this year. They didn't follow up," Phillips said.
Too bad we're not pursuing the Winter Olympics instead of the summer games; perhaps then snow routes and winter towing would have been a higher priority.
Photo by runjenrun01
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This quote,
"In previous years, when asphalt helpers were laid off in December, they were moved directly to Streets and San as field vehicle investigators. That wasn't done this year. They didn't follow up,"
goes a long way in typifying the mismanaged pile of BS that is Streets and San. Asphalt helpers have to be laid off and rehired as field vehicle investigators? It is the same freaking organization! Just change their work assignment. Oh wait, that probably gets some knuckle dragger at the Union hall's panties in a bunch.
Plus "Field Vehicle Investigator?" What the fuck is that? Here is the investigation: Is it after 2:00am? Is there a car parked? I'll call in a tow. That is not an investigation. As S&S can't handle the task give to to Revenue. They are everywhere.
Perhaps the "investigation" is to see if the person about to be towed is "connected" and could raise a ruckus?
This comes as a surprise to me, because in the four years I have lived in my neighborhood, I have NEVER seen so many City workers walking the zoned side streets at night ticketing cars in the neighborhood.
PLUS, there is a car sitting across the street from my apartment with at LEAST 5 tickets... no boot. So yeah, I totally call bullshit.