Wednesday, October 21, 2009

First of Many Festival Cuts?

  • Venetian Night — Chicago’s annual parade of illuminated boat floats that draws up to 500,000 people to the lakefront — could be sunk, thanks to cost-cutting tied to Mayor Daley’s 2010 budget.

    Special Events Director Megan McDonald said the decision to end a time-honored tradition that dates back to the days of former Mayor Richard J. Daley was dictated by a decline in corporate sponsorships.

    Chicago’s production costs were $100,000. But that taxpayer tab was multiplied by the cost of police, fire, traffic and sanitation needed to stage the event.

In Mike Royko's book "BOSS," he described the founding of Venetian Night as something like Old Man Daley stuffing old people into buses, trucking them down to the lakefront and making them watch a parade of boats that none of them could ever afford as an election year ploy.

Many of these fest are just another opportunity for the mayor to plaster his name on things. Corporate sponsorship seems like the wave of the future of these festivals. Charge for the permits and have them hire their own garbage pick up, traffic control, security and such. We seem to recall the FOP pushing for some sort of "side-job" listing for these sort of events years ago. Maybe it's time to push again?

Labels:

93 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bud biliken should be the first to go. If they still want it get Jesse jackass to foot the bill.

10/21/2009 12:21:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nah, just crying broke so the yuppies in those raising condos by the lake can raise a stink and get Corporate America to hand over the cash... Chicago businesses are pissed because they paid out a ton of cash for the guaranteed Olympics. Daley placed in a financial contribution "time out."

10/21/2009 01:02:00 AM  
Anonymous RICHARD M DALEY SR said...

While My Little Boy Dickie Is At It, Why Doesn't He Dump The Bud Billiken Parade Too?

10/21/2009 02:05:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

DON'T CUT THE FESTIVAL, SIMPLY BILL THE FESTIVAL ORGANIZER!
I love the festivals!
We should start billing for police service!
yOU NEED POLICE FOR PROFESSIONAL SPORTING EVENTS THAT GENERATE MILLIONS!!! PAY FOR THEM!!!
Social work: how to care for or discipline your children $300.00
Assist an ambulance run that didn't need one! $500.00
Mental to hospital in police car instead of ambulance = $500.00
Domestic with no arrest $500.00
Shoplifter = $100.00 and a quarantee you will appear or fined $500.00 for wasting police resources.
IF YOU SIGN A COMPLAINT AND FAIL TO APPEAR FOR PROSECUTION THEN $10000.00
WILL STOP BULLSHIT CALLS FOR SERVICE!
WE ARE NOT A SERVICE ORIENTATED INDUSTRY!
CALL US! LOCK SOMEONE UP!
WE ARE NOT SOCIAL WORKERS!!!!

10/21/2009 02:11:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

They should forever cancel the Bud Kill-Again parade...That will never happen,Daley is to scared to do that.

10/21/2009 02:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

can we have a festival called "real men get up every morning and raise their children to become productive members of society"

10/21/2009 03:07:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Who will be affected by the cancelation of this festival? Suburbanites? Tourists? City residents know to avoid the large city festivals. Parking sucks except for the city who collects fees. Now I hope the taste is next.

10/21/2009 05:29:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

CUT BUD BILLIKEN--YOU WILL SAVE A LOT OF MONEY IN POLICE, FIRE, STREETS N SANS, TRAFFIC, BABYSITTING, ETC ETC

10/21/2009 05:58:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was detailed to this event this summer and was posted 10 blocks from the lakefront, there was no reason on earth why that post made any sense. I have never understood why we have such a heavy police presence at such mellow events. There is no reason why 18 and 1 couldn't handle any type of normal disturbance that could occur. They need to start charging admission to the taste for starter and in return have some relevant acts perform....see Milwaukee Summer Fest.

10/21/2009 06:17:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now is about the best time to start charging general admission to the taste of chicago!!

Charge $10.00 admission and give $10.00 of food tickets. This would keep the assholes out who show up just to cause trouble.

10/21/2009 06:26:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Sure, start the cuts with Venetian Night. Figures.

---not a cop

10/21/2009 06:57:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

And the post parade of "we're broke folks, see?" arbitration excuses just keep on comin'.

I guess we were all in shangrila prior to the failed olympic bid, but man once shortshanks came back we got really poor all of the sudden, and it's always because of the police, fire and anyone else who's in arbitratrion right now.

A-fuckin' mazing.

10/21/2009 07:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

So Chicago is too broke to host a movie in the park but we wanted to host the OLYMPICS???????

10/21/2009 08:10:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here are some ideas to float. He really wants a private sector corporation to pay for these eventss. He started with this event because it really is a family event and that would be more then likely sponsored by a bank or business. Next would be some of the other music fests on the lakefront blues fest, jazz fest gospel fest etc. The parades are off limits due to First Amendment issues. You CAN however bill them for the services required and limit the route and length of time. Not likely with the Bud Parade political suicide.

Shortshanks is setting the table for the arbitrator to agree with the city and give the police no retro and no raise because they are broke.

10/21/2009 08:34:00 AM  
Anonymous Ben There said...

Dear 0617 hrs.

You missed the "good old days," when they actually put policemen on buoys to "direct traffic."

More like, hold on for dear life!

10 blocks from the lake ain't bad, less it's in Cabrini Green?
(Or has that ben developed, too?

10/21/2009 08:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Why not cut the twice weekly fireworks display? That price tag for the summer has got to be up there.

10/21/2009 08:38:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey! I call racism against Venetians!

10/21/2009 08:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how about charging non-resident citizens for using the city parks & swimming pools? every time i enter oak lawn or any other suburban park district the first thing they ask for is a photo i.d. at which time ask for a fee to use their park property. maybe that what makes it a more enjoyable experience.

10/21/2009 09:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

just another plot against our contract. Once the arbit rules against us, you'll see Venitian night come back.

This is chess not checkers

10/21/2009 09:47:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

NEW YORK — President Barack Obama is having some fun at the expense of those who criticized him for trying to help his Chicago hometown land the 2016 Summer Olympic Games.

Addressing donors at a Democratic Party fundraiser Tuesday night in New York City, Obama said he believes in a strong opposition but doesn't like it when some folks root for him to fail on health care or ... on getting the Olympics.

In a mocking tone Obama said: "Who's against the Olympics? What's up with that?"

Some Republicans criticized Obama for flying to Denmark earlier this month to boost Chicago's Olympics bid. Critics said he should have stayed home to deal with health care, unemployment and Afghanistan, among other issues.

Brazil won the right to host the Games


Let's keep the torches lit and the pressure on. The sooner Obama is rendered impotent, the better for America and the world.

Here's some good news out today:

"The Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll for Wednesday shows that 27% of the nation's voters Strongly Approve of the way that Barack Obama is performing his role as President. Forty percent (40%) Strongly Disapprove giving Obama a Presidential Approval Index rating of -13. That’s just a point above the lowest level ever recorded for this President. It’s also the sixth straight day in negative double digits, matching the longest such streak."

Obama wants our freedom and tax dollars as his Marxist play things. Let's push back HARD and ensure that he doesn't get them.

10/21/2009 09:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

just tryin to stir folks up.

10/21/2009 10:04:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OT, but is the range at the Academy still f'n closed?

10/21/2009 10:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cancel the 3rd of July Fireworks!

Cancel Venetian Night, they were already saying that the 2009 event was going to be the last one. Why? Low participation, there were about 13 boats in this years show anyway. One of course was the Chicago's 2016 Olympic bid boat.

Cancel Bud (lost children & gang fights) Biliken parade.
The local schools should be out in there own neighborhoods promoting the "back to school" theme anyway.
If that can't be done, then just bill the organizers, politicians and reverends that have anything to do with this debacle. Street closed for 10hrs? $3500.00, Police and Fire? $75,000, Streets and San for route and park clean up and disposal? $16,000. Baby sitting your lost child? Fee based on outcome, because that may result in arrest.


Cut the Taste of Chicago down to a 3 day weekend event and charge an entry fee. Also fence it in. Ala Milwuakee fest and local suburbs. Make it larger and invite more vendors. Just keep it to 3 days. Not on the 4th of July weekend!!!


If you don't have the money to pay for it in cash, then you don't need it. Screw "credit", too many fees.

10/21/2009 10:31:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cancel Bud Biliken. How much does the City pony up for that? Certainly more then Venetian night.

10/21/2009 10:34:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cut all the fest and parades. If the city can't afford to pay its workers, honor its contracts, or hire adequate (sp) staff, then the city can't afford parties, toys and parades.

10/21/2009 10:39:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...

can we have a festival called "real men get up every morning and raise their children to become productive members of society"

10/21/2009 03:07:00 AM
_______________________________

We do. It's called the bud billiken parade... oh wait, sorry, that's the exact opposite. Good idea though.

10/21/2009 10:50:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Venetian night hasn't been the same, as in the past, for several years now. You need the boaters to decorate their boats and participate and they just aren't as interested. At least it gave people the opportunity to come to the city and spend money at the area restaurants, etc. Very few problems associated with the festival compared to Fiesta Del Sol and Bud Killagain. Eliminate them for a start.

10/21/2009 10:52:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Here's a thought ... stop ALL of those useless goddamn festivals! What about stopping the fireworks displays every goddamn night or 2?? Who gives a shit that the "visitors" like them ... are they paying the bill while we haven't had a raise?? I doubt they are. I'd bet $1.00 that the Boy-Kill-Again parade won't be cut, but I need the $$$.

10/21/2009 10:58:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Do you think that the Blue’s or the Gospel festivals will be cut?

Not a chance!

But if Mayor Chuckie charged minimal fee in the form of food tickets to get into the Taste of Chicago it would make the City some money and make our job a lot easier!

10/21/2009 11:06:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

DETROIT-1968!!!!

10/21/2009 11:16:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Daley is cutting Venetian Night because the yacht associations opposed his bid for the 2016 Olympics.

Daley is real big on payback and revenge. This is his revenge to the boaters. In the scheme of things the city does not spend much money on Venetian Night. Not enough to warrant the front page news of the funds being cut.

This is Daley revenge, pure and simple. Cross the king and you get the sword later.

10/21/2009 11:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Bud biliken should be the first to go. If they still want it get Jesse jackass to foot the bill.

10/21/2009 12:21:00 AM


They will NEVER cut bud billikan, the revrunds would stomp up a storm, glory be.

Also St Patrick's Day Parade will never be cut nor the Celtic Music Festival. Anything to do with the Sons and Daughters of Ireland crowd will be kept, you can bet your fooking shillelagh on that one.

10/21/2009 11:24:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Mayor is obviously desperate for revenue based on what we are seeing in our neighborhood...

My neighbor got a ticket the other day for being parked more than 12 inches from the curb. He was so pissed he took out a ruler and measured and was 12.5 inches away. I guess the Revenue guy who haunts our neighborhood daily now carries a tape measure.

Come winter with the snow piled along the curb, he'll be closing that deficit for Shortshanks.

10/21/2009 11:45:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how about gospel fest?

viva fest?

celtic fest?

too many different ethnics groups will be disappointed??

venetian night is just a glorified firework show for the suburbanites anyway.

or is it that the mayor is mad at the boaters for NOT supporting his Olympic dream?

choose your poison people!!

nothing is getting done till richie boy is gone.

march 2011, be there, and vote for NO INCUMBENTS. clean slate no matter what party.

10/21/2009 12:13:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

maybe they can ''cut'' their spending festival which goes on everyday! freeze the aldermans pay and get rid of the stupid disgretionary fund. there! just saved you 50mil. hey mayor... all the festivals should be out. idiots and gangbangers ruin them anyway.

10/21/2009 12:16:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about that douchebag, JPUD, talking about the Mayor's budget. Here it comes: Like we have known for years that police personnel are down +1000 officers, the Department and Daley's puppet JPUD want you to do more with less. I am so sick and tired of Richie blaming the economy for his mismanagement of the City's funds. Well JPUD and his cowardly band of exempts sure aren't getting me to do more, evaluations or no evaluations, I am going to just sail through the workday doing as little as possible. Fuck you Richie, Fuck you JPUD please resign.

10/21/2009 12:29:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Two words...Bud Biliken

10/21/2009 01:18:00 PM  
Blogger The North Coast said...

The Taste of Chicago should be the FIRST event canceled. It's nothing but a crowd control problem and an opportunity to contract food poisoning, get trampled to death, or get caught in a gang melee.

10/21/2009 01:23:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Everyone should read "Liberty and Tirrany" by: Mark Levin, it explains everything about the liberals agenda and staying in power. You could also listen to him on AM talk radio.


~Conservative COP~

10/21/2009 01:28:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Further cuts for 01 November. You heard it here first. Let the crying begin !
1) 021, 013, 012, and maye 023.

2) Distict managers, gone

3) All distict commander' to go. Captain will be named C.O

4)Many commander and D/Chief spots through out CPD to be gone. Captain' will be C/O

Watch the clout babies cry to no avail.

10/21/2009 01:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
I was detailed to this event this summer and was posted 10 blocks from the lakefront, there was no reason on earth why that post made any sense. I have never understood why we have such a heavy police presence at such mellow events. There is no reason why 18 and 1 couldn't handle any type of normal disturbance that could occur. They need to start charging admission to the taste for starter and in return have some relevant acts perform....see Milwaukee Summer Fest.

10/21/2009 06:17:00 AM


Obviously you are brand new in town or you wouldn't get detailed down there. You seem to be oblivious to what happened there in years past. There is a reason for all the police, you just have yet to discover what it is. show up and obey orders and you will be a boss someday, no doubt.

10/21/2009 02:05:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cut all fests and all parades.

Unless someone will pay the entire bill for such an event (Oprah, did she pay for the ENTIRE event?)

Stop hiring illegal lettuce pickers to trim and plant flowers in all those useless planters we have all over the city (no thanks no MAGGIE). That contract must be worth millions in itself.

Quit replacing sidewalks, curbs and street repairs in areas that pay no taxes.

Reduce aldermen by half. 25 maybe 10 are needed at most.

Reduce the number of Lt's, Capt's and exempts by half. They don't produce any revenue and are a waste of taxpayer dollars.

Quit giving out free TIF money to every TOM, DICK, & HARRY that shanks pals up with!

That's just a small start.

10/21/2009 03:09:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not the first, they cut the St Jude march several years back.

10/21/2009 03:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I was down there with my wife and didn,t see that many police assigned there.Thank God nothing happened,but we know the kind of people that come to that,no trouble makers.

10/21/2009 03:30:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I for one think there are W A Y to many "fests" that jack up traffic and turn out to be nothing more than another reason to get drunk and loud. I had a little stand at one such event and couldn't believe how many of my fellow police( some known and some just shoving their button in my face for free food! ) Of course I didn't want to look like a shithead and gave it away, only to be out more than I got.

10/21/2009 03:58:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

But yet there's money for Cadets working in the front office, a district manager to manage 1 civilian employee, and the Chicago christian industrial league to pick the butts out of the flower pots.

Interesting......

10/21/2009 04:03:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Puerto Rican fest can also go!

It is a total waste of manpower for a Police hating community!

10/21/2009 04:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That's right.....cut the honkiest of honky events. They won't bitch and everyone else believes they got something comin' for the nothin' they contribute. Pay up fools, it's property tax time again.

10/21/2009 04:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Did anyone see that overpaid asshole alderscum Ed Smith on ch. 7news? He would like police & fire to take up to 24 unpaid days like all the other city workers...

10/21/2009 05:14:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Two events are sancrosant... Halsted Street Days and the Gay Pride Parade.

10/21/2009 06:21:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Check out this weeks "Reader."

The Shadow Budget
The Daley administration commands an off-the-books kitty of taxpayer money equivalent to a sixth of the official city budget. Now we’ve got documents that show what they want to do with it.

10/21/2009 06:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

BAD MANAGEMENT....for the ENTIRE DALEY MACHINE!!!!!! daley..the worthless fucks called alderman...who only have their best interests at heart...they ruined this city with their greed!

10/21/2009 06:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time for police officers and firemen to help out and take furlough days. This is not fair that every other city employee carry the burden. I am taking 24 day furlough so let police and fire take a few days off without pay. Why are they so special?

10/21/2009 07:25:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not a Cop: Shortshanks 2010 budget proposal is $6.14 billion up from $5.97 billion. Is there a raise and contract for the CPD included in this increase finally??.Please stay safe. God Bless all of you.

10/21/2009 07:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Gee, an event with very few connected vendors....what a SUPRISE!

10/21/2009 07:53:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I guess Markie Boy is not the only union official in Daley's trousers. Capt. and Lt. union leaders, What are you doing to get us on board with 4/2? Remember the ballots are coming out for reelection-vote accordingly.

10/21/2009 07:57:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Off Topic:

I want to spend some of my Chuck Goudy "Hidden Treasure" uniform allowance check on a new flashlight.

I saw one that somebody in MSF or TRU or whatever the other night had. It was a black, plastic STREAMLIGHT, slightly longer than the Polystinger, with a enlarged LED head, and a second switch in the tailcap. It had a off-low-high- and strobe feature. He said he paid $125.00 for it and it uses the same chargers as a Polystinger.

I tried to find it on-line with several police equipment websites and even Streamlights own site doesn't have it. Anyone have the make and model number and where to get this?

10/21/2009 08:37:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Dump CAPS. Just another tax dollar handout.
Cut the City Fireworks every summer weekend just so the Tourists downtown can go UUUUH, AHHHHH, my fuckin wallet is goin UUUUHHHH, AAAAHHh, because of the King Jackass and all his failed bright-ideas. Let the Tourists be happy with hearing the sound of gunfire..
Sell City Hall, and have all Aldermen work out of their cars.
Give the Puerta Ricans 1 [one] Day for thier Fest, like every other nationality gets, not a fuckin week.

10/21/2009 08:56:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey 11:45.....
Your neighbor should get a ticket for being parked that far into the street. It reduces visibility, esp. at corners and causes accidents.

10/21/2009 10:07:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WHY DOESN'T THE MAYOR MAKE THE ALDERSCUM TAKE A PAY CUT FOR THEIR PART-TIME JOB?!

10/21/2009 10:13:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Further cuts for 01 November. You heard it here first. Let the crying begin !
1) 021, 013, 012, and maye 023.

2) Distict managers, gone

3) All distict commander' to go. Captain will be named C.O

4)Many commander and D/Chief spots through out CPD to be gone. Captain' will be C/O

Watch the clout babies cry to no avail.

10/21/2009 01:44:00 PM

-----------------------------------

Don't make me start liking Shortshanks.

10/21/2009 10:27:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

he won't dump too many of these festivals. they are great ways of funneling $$$$$$$ to the Daley Crime Family partners.

10/21/2009 10:32:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

cancel them all. that way no one ethnic group can claim they are being singled out

10/21/2009 10:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
how about charging non-resident citizens for using the city parks & swimming pools? every time i enter oak lawn or any other suburban park district the first thing they ask for is a photo i.d. at which time ask for a fee to use their park property. maybe that what makes it a more enjoyable experience.

10/21/2009 09:20:00 AM

That is a great idea all along the lake front why not?

10/21/2009 10:44:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Further cuts for 01 November. You heard it here first. Let the crying begin !
1) 021, 013, 012, and maye 023.

2) Distict managers, gone

3) All distict commander' to go. Captain will be named C.O

4)Many commander and D/Chief spots through out CPD to be gone. Captain' will be C/O

Watch the clout babies cry to no avail.

10/21/2009 01:44:00 PM

Yea ok and then you woke up! Why does the mayor have 2 yes 2 commanders for a detail of 25 coppers all paid D-3? Why?

10/21/2009 10:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

i enjoy writing parking tickets on taxi's for parking on a residential street. most of them are taliban supporters.

10/21/2009 10:45:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Daley is cutting Venetian Night because the yacht associations opposed his bid for the 2016 Olympics.

Daley is real big on payback and revenge. This is his revenge to the boaters. In the scheme of things the city does not spend much money on Venetian Night. Not enough to warrant the front page news of the funds being cut.

This is Daley revenge, pure and simple. Cross the king and you get the sword later.

10/21/2009 11:20:00 AM

-----------------------------------
He'll probably sneak into the harbor at midnight and lay a mine field. He'll claim its for homeland security.

10/21/2009 10:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Hey! I call racism against Venetians!

10/21/2009 08:50:00 AM

Q: How do you make a venetian blind?
A: You pokea hisa eyesa outa...and dat ain't no hibbity jibbity...mmmm hhmmmm

10/21/2009 10:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Conservative Cop suggested we read "Liberty and Tyranny" by Mark Levin...has sold over 1 million copies..read it and educate yourself...listen to Mark Levin at 9:00 PM, Monday through Friday, on radio 89, WLS-AM. Excellent, knowledgable, articulate, down to earth, and you learn the truth in detail about the communist, socialist, marxist attempted takeover of the USA...Mark will give you facts and figures...wrap your head around the fact that we are under attack from the administration/czars group in the White House, who were chosen by a president who has told us to judge him by the friends he keeps. Listen, learn and take your freedoms, your liberty, your country back from those who wish to destroy us and the USA.

God bless America.

10/21/2009 11:12:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My neighbor got a ticket the other day for being parked more than 12 inches from the curb. He was so pissed he took out a ruler and measured and was 12.5 inches away. I guess the Revenue guy who haunts our neighborhood daily now carries a tape measure.


They ticketed my ex for the very samething in Mt.Greenwood.She's been parking in front of my ex-house the sameway for 30 years,gee,I wonder if they write tickets east of western?

10/21/2009 11:20:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time for police officers and firemen to help out and take furlough days. This is not fair that every other city employee carry the burden. I am taking 24 day furlough so let police and fire take a few days off without pay. Why are they so special?

------------

because u are not needed. if you were u wouldn't be taking a month off with no pay. police and fire are needed.

10/21/2009 11:35:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time for police officers and firemen to help out and take furlough days. This is not fair that every other city employee carry the burden. I am taking 24 day furlough so let police and fire take a few days off without pay. Why are they so special?

-------------------------------

Well, I cannot speak for the police, but the reasons are the same. The fire dept has minimum manning, which means that 5 men are required to work on each fire company.
On an Engine Company, 1 Engineer drives and operates the pumps. 1 man makes the hydrant and drags hose to the hydrant hose to the engine. 1 man is on the nozzle, which attacks the fire. 1 man is 15 feet behind the pipeman pulling the hose so the nozzleman can advance. and 1 Officer who is the eyes and ears of everyone and is responsible for numerous tasks. Absolutely essential.

On a truck company, 1 man drives and also goes to the roof to cut that hole for ventilation. 1 man goes with him because a minimum of 2 people are needed to cut that hole right away. 1 man goes with the Engine to bust open doors, gates, and clear obstructions, then does search and rescue. 1 man goes to the rear of the building to open that up, then does search and rescue in the rear of the building. The Officer of the Truck coordinates rescue, ventilation and is the eyes and ears of the Truck firemen. Absolutely essential.

Cutting manpower would eliminate one of these tasks.

That is just the duties at a fire. At pin in car accidents, haz mat incidents, dive rescues, etc each man has a duty that needs to be done. You cannot just make a guy take a furlough day because someone would have to be paid overtime to replace him. Obviously that makes zerp economic sense. You cannot just make someone take a day off and not replace him, each man is a member of a team. It would be like playing a basketball game with 4 guys on the court against a team with 5. You will lose, but in this case, someone dies.

Police are extremely backlogged as it is. We work with police at incidents, and we need more police responding than what the OEMC sends to help us. Sometimes at fires, we wait and wait for traffic control because all the police are busy. In the meantime, idiot people are barreling through an emergency scene, sometimes hitting firemen. We need MORE police cars on the street.

So, as you can see, you cant just 'make' police and fire to take a furlough day just to be 'fair'. People are not just inconvienienced if they are short for a day. People DIE. I'm sure you would not like if you had a fire at your house, and the person who was supposed to search the rear of your house was made to take a day off and something happened to your family. Or if a robber broke in your house and the cop car who usually patrols your area was off and you have to wait for a car from another area.

I know its not 'fair' to other city workers. But the reality is people crash their cars, houses start on fire, robbers break in homes, and people have heart attacks.

10/22/2009 02:49:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Daley should cancel all "bread and circus" events that city sponsors and pays for. Corporate sponsorship should be required to cover all costs for any "fests" - period. Austerity should begin. Add cops to patrol, not desk jobs, and get crime problem under control, or Daley will discover that the only remaining middle-class population in Chicago will be recent college grads getting their "urban experience" and captive city employees required to live in city.

Regarding real estate taxes, our RE taxes have doubled in six years without any improvements made to our house and without our neighborhood experiencing any new "gentrification". Our two incomes have not increased beyond minimal "cost-of-living" increases. We're in situation where we can afford our house as long as we're working, but will need to sell ASAP retirement comes into play. Neither of our jobs are secure in this economy, and we live frugally aside from Catholic HS tuition. And we're upper-middle class by definition, but not by spending habits. Cook County is no longer affordable.

Illinois, Cook County, and Daley all still don't realize that the good times are SO OVER. Government spending grew significantly during the past decade of relative prosperity. Look at all the government employees that earn more than $100,000/year, and have great pension plans for retirement. Private sector can't match public sector benefits, but citizens are compelled to subsidize that grandosity. Reality needs to set in soon, or middle class will flee Cook County, and Illinois too.

10/22/2009 07:20:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Chicago's mayor keeps insisting that he's cutting back because of that whopping $520 million city budget deficit. He says it's all been caused by a bad economy.

Yet what he forgets to mention is that he spent like an absolute madman on deal after deal for all his pals, hundreds of millions of dollars worth of deals, year after year. Now the money is gone.

IN KASS'S COLUMN

10/22/2009 07:42:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"10/22/2009 02:49:00 AM"


Amen.

10/22/2009 08:18:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"Hey 11:45.....
Your neighbor should get a ticket for being parked that far into the street. It reduces visibility, esp. at corners and causes accidents.

10/21/2009 10:07:00 PM"


hey 10:07....

the only thing reducing your 'visibility' is your head being shoved so far up your own ass.

10/22/2009 08:23:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bud Billiken..I nevva met da man but da kids sho seemta likes him!

10/22/2009 08:41:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Further cuts for 01 November. You heard it here first. Let the crying begin !
1) 021, 013, 012, and maye 023.


The new station is being built, 023's not going anywhere.

10/22/2009 08:44:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
i enjoy writing parking tickets on taxi's for parking on a residential street. most of them are taliban supporters.

10/21/2009 10:45:00 PM


taliban doesn't pay parking tickets, nail them relentlessly so they get the boot

10/22/2009 08:59:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Time for police officers and firemen to help out and take furlough days. This is not fair that every other city employee carry the burden. I am taking 24 day furlough so let police and fire take a few days off without pay. Why are they so special?

WE are not special...just necessary. Go back and lean on your shovel.

10/22/2009 09:15:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Then tell my why this vindictive prick won't release the PO's and Sgts from their bondage?? 50 Sgts and 100 PO's would save about 18 MILLION DOLLARS in salary
H E L L O!!!!!Bean counters,,ANYBODY HOME?? After JAN 1, I get 35 more days
AND between Jan and Apr there are 5 HOLIDAYS . I work 4 of 5, 12 hrs each, thats 7 more days. 42 more days of comp time to carry over. Don't want to give me the 55? then you can pay me my 2200 hrs in a lump sum or, maybe I'll just stick around and draw my MAX pay and not do a fucking thing. Fuck you , you vindictive miserable prick.

10/22/2009 09:55:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I thought Venetian Night was privately funded, anyway? Can someone correst me if I'm wrong? Thanks

10/22/2009 01:46:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Time for police officers and firemen to help out and take furlough days. This is not fair that every other city employee carry the burden. I am taking 24 day furlough so let police and fire take a few days off without pay. Why are they so special?

10/21/2009 07:25:00 PM
That you, Ald. Ed Smith?

10/22/2009 01:55:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Cut the Puerto Rican festival to a weekend instead of a whole week!

Why are they special????

Cinco De Mayo and other ethnic festivals are only for the weekend.

I'm sure I will be unpopular for saying this but TOO BAD!!!!

10/22/2009 03:17:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey 11:45.....
Your neighbor should get a ticket for being parked that far into the street. It reduces visibility, esp. at corners and causes accidents.

10/21/2009 10:07:00 PM

It was in the middle of the block. It's a BS ticket from a guy trying to drum up revenue for Shortshanks.

10/22/2009 04:26:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My neighbor got a ticket the other day for being parked more than 12 inches from the curb. He was so pissed he took out a ruler and measured and was 12.5 inches away. I guess the Revenue guy who haunts our neighborhood daily now carries a tape measure.


They ticketed my ex for the very samething in Mt.Greenwood.She's been parking in front of my ex-house the sameway for 30 years,gee,I wonder if they write tickets east of western?

10/21/2009 11:20:00 PM

I'm west of Western as well, but on teh northside.

The thing is, this guy is giving out so many tickets that the neighbors are calling and bitching at me about my fellow coppers having better things to do with their time than give out tickets for BS like this. I ask them to describe the ticket and the name of the person who issued it and 9 times out of 10 it's from the same Revenue guy and HDO member.

10/22/2009 04:34:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Get rid of Bud Billiken, then Cinco D'Mayo...then Humbolt park Fest and don;'t forget St. Patrick Day drunk fest....

10/22/2009 04:42:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

wrought iron fences , flower boxes,

hired truck , phony minority contracts by da mayor friends

18 year old building inspectors

yes we can , change in 2011

10/22/2009 04:52:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We don't need to decorate the entire city with Christmas decorations either? How much do you think we could save?

10/22/2009 10:29:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That is waht the ballparks have to do if they want traffic control aides they have to pay for that

10/23/2009 11:09:00 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

crossing guard supervisor should
be eliminated , review officer should be a part time job 20-25hrs a week by a retired po

private security protects oec
why not police headquarters
city hall, mayor detail and alderman

bargaining point for fop at arbitration

10/23/2009 12:02:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Anonymous said...
Time for police officers and firemen to help out and take furlough days. This is not fair that every other city employee carry the burden. I am taking 24 day furlough so let police and fire take a few days off without pay. Why are they so special?

WE are not special...just necessary. Go back and lean on your shovel.

WHY, SO EVEN MORE DECENT PEOPLE WILL GET KILLED, ROBBED, RAPED, RIPPED OFF, SHOT, BEATEN, DUE TO EVEN LESS COPS ON THE STRETS, ARE YOU FUCKING INSANE? GO BACK TO FILLING YOUR POTHOLES, HACK.

10/23/2009 09:50:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is what the elitists always do.

eliminate what the common citizens need or enjoy first, never eliminate the waste and corruption expenses.

and the fact that the citizens put up with this shit is what makes them 'common'.

10/26/2009 06:17:00 AM  

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