Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 24, 2015 at 2:34pm

http://chicago.suntimes.com/chicago-politics/7/71/448866/garcias-va...

This is a reply to David Altenburg:

David here is the Chicago Sun-Times article that reveals that in 2011 Rahm also began with little or no specifics on his platform during his first run for mayor.

And Gabe Klein's ideas sure helped him a lot also.

Candidate Garcia will also be enlisting the help of highly qualified administrators in his office when he is elected mayor of the city of Chicago !

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on March 24, 2015 at 12:52pm

There are MANY other very important issues at stake in this election, not least of which is the corruption and selling of the city's assets to the highest (right-wing) bidder. 

Chuy has a masters in planning and is (unlike his opponent) open to hearing from the people on these concerns. He will have a mixed council to work with so there are ways to change laws under a Garcia administration, unlike the ramming Rahm way now, where, if you are opposed to a plan of his, it's already law - forget even hearing about it. 

To be clear, are you really saying that this one single issue - not *seeming* serious about one small part of running a massive city the way you want it - is enough to cast a vote for someone who has already done far more egregious harm to the city and its people?

I'm truly shocked by some on this board. 

Plus, do we know for sure that the expansion os bike lanes is going to be in *either* candidate's budget, what with the fiscal crisis? Can you hold RE to anything he promised when he ran (less violence, better schools, and cleaned up finances)? I think he gets an fail on all three, and Moody's and CPS and statistics agree.

Priorities.  

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Permalink Reply by David Altenburg on March 24, 2015 at 3:57pm

Sarah, 

I'm sure I'm not alone in appreciating your considered and thoughtful words. Here's my attempt at writing an equally thoughtful response:

While pedestrian and bicycle safety is one of many issues, I do not consider it just a small one. For most of us, the majority of the time we spend in public spaces is on the streets and sidewalks. I'm a father of a healthy young child, and I'm aware (too aware, perhaps) that automobile traffic is the greatest threat to her life. Further, I believe (with the support of a lot of people with actual planning cred) that getting people into the street on foot and bike can have a positive impact on a number of the other issues facing our city, including crime, public health, education, and the city's finances.

Now, when one is interested in and knowledgeable about a topic, it's easy to elevate the importance of that topic. I don't want to fall into that trap. I'm not so naive as to believe that biking and walking is the cure for all that ails our cities - just that it can help, and that it can do so in a way that doesn't create winners and losers to the same extent as other actions Chicago's mayor will need to take to address crime, education, etc.

As others have pointed out, it's not fair to expect Chuy to have detailed plans for how he will tackle education, the budget, etc., and Mayor Emanuel's does not have detailed answers, either. Without knowing what the IL legislature will do over the next few years, it's impossible to have concrete plans. I get that.

However, one thing that Chuy has been very specific on is his promise to eliminate red light cameras on day one of his administration. How he will do it without incurring fines for breach of contract is anyone's guess, but he's been clear that he is promising to do that. He refuses to put anything specific out there about how he will protect the most vulnerable users of the streets, but he's made his pandering to lawbreaking drivers a central part of his platform. 

Perhaps when he's in office, Chuy will demonstrate the courage it takes to make our streets safe for everyone, not just those who can and choose to afford driving. I'd certainly like to think so. And perhaps his lack of courage in standing up to reckless drivers now isn't indicative of whether he'll be able to stand up to all the entrenched powers he'll need to as mayor. I'd love to see a reason to think so, but it'll have to be something beyond "he's not Rahm".

 

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 24, 2015 at 5:25pm

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/video/11272342-lawsuit-accuses-city-of-...

David, the red light camera system in Chicago is unfair. Chicago's red light system has to be eliminated or REDONE to ensure that it is implemented in a fair and even-handed manner.

From CBS ch 2 story 3/23/15 click on link above.
"Now citizens are filling a lawsuit accusing the city of ignoring its own rules regarding red light enforcement.

The city is ignoring rules when issuing red light tickets. A second notice is never issued. Then the final notice is sent early. 21 days instead of 25 days. Then the make and model of the car is never given to check if it corresponds to the offending license plates as is required.

What the city is doing itself is violating the law to enforce the law. The city should end this policy and find other ways to raise revenue and not do it on the backs of the poor."

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on March 25, 2015 at 2:32am

David Altenburg wrote:

"How he will do it without incurring fines for breach of contract is anyone's guess"

If the state Supreme Court says the state is allowed to break its contract with employee unions, why can't the city break its contract with red light and parking meter companies?

Permalink Reply by Sarah D. on March 23, 2015 at 9:47am

Biking friends, I am glad to participate in a discussion about Gabe Klein's greatness or other mayoral race single-issue stuff - it needs to be discussed!, but I put this post in "non-bike-related" and addressed it specifically to Chainlinkers for Chuy who may have time to volunteer on a fantastic multiethnic and multigenerational concert event this weekend.

I am happy to discuss why I believe Chuy is the best for Chicago (not just for Chicago's mostly northside and downtown bicyclists on this forum), but I'd prefer to do that over a cider in real life or in an designated post on the forum. 

No one is saying Gabe Klein wasn't a great commissioner nor that both Dalemanuel administrations didn't help bikes. A lot. We just have some frightening crime and violence, the highest African American unemployment in the nation, unchecked privatization of public resources, police abuses, finance shell games, pension debt, a falling Moody's rating, and a school system to clean up as well. Lots for any mayoral candidate.

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Permalink Reply by Yasmeen on March 23, 2015 at 10:09am

Thanks Sarah, well said. 

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 23, 2015 at 2:37pm

Jason, much of what you say is true. In politics, once you get on a path which you think of is the comfortable, safe and easy way to go you become complacent. You start to believe there's no chance for things to improve and get better so why rock the boat ?

That is why there is great difficulty implementing change in our current political system. People become disenchanted and detached from even making an informed decision and give in to the powers that be. They become discouraged and resigned and don't even bother to vote come election time. Just look at the current voter stats.

People are giving up their voice and freedom because they don't vote and they don't bother to inform themselves of what the important issues are. They become brainwashed by the million dollar negative ads and let their informed choice and freedom slip away. If that's what you you want, that's your choice.

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Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 25, 2015 at 4:13am

Politicians can help to bring businesses that create local jobs. Ideally they'd be actual living wage jobs, not minimum wage. That can make a difference in the big picture of unemployment and violence.

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 25, 2015 at 5:06am

It's time for a candidate who focuses on rebuilding the 'neighborhoods', not just downtown, to run the city. We don't need a mayor who is 'out of touch' when it comes to the needs of the neighborhood people.

The mayor likes to say that crime is down statistically. But which Chicago is he living in? Hundreds of jobs created; they are mostly all downtown. Which Chicago is he talking about that he says is great?
Is the Chicago you are living in the one you like?

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Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 25, 2015 at 8:11am

Yes, our new mayor will always be busy working to improve our great city of 'neighborhoods', not just downtown.

Once again, to clear things up on candidate Garcia's stance on red light cameras, he will review and make an assessment of the system and decide which, if any, cameras can be managed fairly and even-handed, and decide which will effectively increase safety.

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Permalink Reply by Rich S on March 25, 2015 at 8:31am

That was his stance back in December. It's since been adjusted to “The contract will be ended,” he said. “We have a responsibility to ensure the welfare and safety of Chicagoans. Ending the red light camera program is one of those ways that we will further that cause.”

Either that or he's changed his position enough times to obfuscate his true position. 

I'm still undecided as to how I'll vote. Both candidates are saying and doing things that make me not want to vote for either. 

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