Thursday, December 18, 2008
News / Clout City Alderman Ed "Polonius" Burke
Posted by Ben Joravsky on 12.18.08 at 12:31 PM
Fourteenth Ward alderman Ed Burke was in fine form at Wednesday's City Council meeting.
Always known for quoting the greats in his council orations, he went on a binge to rival John Bartlett, quoting, though not always accurately, William Shakespeare (twice), Ralph Waldo Emerson (twice), Tom Brokaw, Studs Terkel, and Martin Luther King Jr.
The line from Terkel--"Take it easy, but take it"--came just before the the council passed a resolution, sponsored by 48th Ward alderman Mary Ann Smith, honoring the late great writer, activist, and historian.
A few minutes later, Burke quoted King: "The time is always right to do what is right." (By the way, I'm not sure where or when King said this, but countless bloggers credit him with saying it.)
Soon after the council voted 47-0 to spend millions of dollars that our schools and parks desperately need to subsidize what is essentially real estate speculation on the near south side.
I think Shakespeare said it best: "O shame! Where is thy blush?"
Comments (14)
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Burke tries to impress people with his $2 quotes. He is still a trailer park knuckle-dragger, only with a $1,000 suit on.
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Okay, so, let's get this straight: 1. 'The city', aka the taxpayers, are borrowing approximately $85 million, with $65 million going directly into the hands of the sellers and remaining there, and $20 million passing through the hands of the sellers and returning, via this 'charitable donation', to the hands of the buyers. 2. Said buyers, aka 'the city', aka 'the taxpayers', will then, supposedly, use this $20 million to cover 'up to' 5 years worth of interest payments on the $85 million loan amount. 3. All costs incurred to demolish and clear the land purchased will be initially paid out of the taxpayers pockets, with the expectation of the future selling price of said land being sufficient to both pay off the original $85 million loan and recoup said demolition costs. 4. So, if all goes according to 'the plan', the original seller will have gained $65 million, the lender, via the borrowed $20 million, will have effectively had the 5 years of interest paid for by the very monies loaned from said lender, the 'expected' future buyer of this property will pay a price sufficient to both repay the $65 million that the original seller received, and the $20 million still owed by the 'city', and the amount expended to cover the costs of demolition. 5. It seems like a lot depends upon that 'future buyer'. An awful lot.
DeLeo and envelopes. 1+1=2 I am not sure about Burke. I am sure about Deleo and envelopes. Positive.
Let me surmise if I have the basic information. First you have the City that keeps complaining about overtime and wants City workers to take furlough days. You have workers who were making a few dollars extra on the weekend at no cost to the City. The City then fires these workers. Now the City is forced to rehire the workers, pay back wages and pay them overtime on the weekends. Sure this makes perfect sense...NOT! Just more of the myrmidons following orders of the megalomaniac. I LOVE YOU MAYOR DALEY!
Wasn't there an opposition to the Reese property acquisition? Is 47-0 the new the definition of an opposition in Chicago?
Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not express'd in fancy; rich, not gaudy, For the apparel oft proclaims the man
City Worker+ caught violating City laws+separates from wife ,by design+federal lawsuit= FRAUD Guess Who?
Murray Humphries, Ask Dennis Gannon+Jerry Morrison+Tom Balanoff, Remember the sweeping changes they bragged about last aldermadic election? All those PRO Union Alderman! Fioretti is concerned more with his hair color . Sandi Jackson is concerned with her make up artist. The rest are always hiding under there desk when Ding Dong Daley walks into the City Council. THE ONLY ONE STANDING UP IS Alderman SCOTT WAGUESPACK !
works in the burbs, pays city taxes, loses house in foreclosure, lost all court cases, blows off coclanes at family funeral=Coconate.
O shame! Where is thy blush?" I told you as soon as the Budget passed and he screwed the Union City Workers, he wouls stary to spend again. Look at the $40 million dollar bridge he wants to build at millinium Park. People can't afford medical and food and these mother fuckers keep spending! I guess Skinney Sheehan needs some extra money for his new girlfriend.
He's just like Blago..got bad hair too....let his wife collect checks from every agency and court appointed cash cow till she took her black robe from somebody who deserved it. What a creep
