Friday, October 2, 2009
Politics / Clout City / News Meanwhile, there's a city to run
Posted by Mick Dumke on Fri, Oct 2, 2009 at 2:17 PM
Congressman Mike Quigley has never been a Daley yes man, and even the carefully worded statement he issued after the Olympics defeat sounded to me like a challenge to the mayor:
“Chicago was a world-class city before today’s decision, and Chicago will be a world-class city tomorrow. Although disappointment hangs in the air, this is not the time for regret, but rather to see opportunity in the incredible work that was done across Chicago over the past months.
"We now have the chance to move forward, free of the demands of the IOC, but equipped with plans that can address the real problems Chicagoans face on a daily basis. Chicago is now armed with an organizing capability never seen before, and an opportunity to continue the momentum and create better schools, more efficient transportation, and safer streets."
Here's my translation:
"Mr. Mayor, it's too bad Chicago didn't win the games, but if you can twist enough arms to get everybody in town with money or power to go along with your Olympics dream, it's reasonable to think you can start working on our broken school system, which loses half its kids before they graduate, our public transit system, which is in desperate need of investment, and our staggering rate of violence, which leaves youth afraid to walk to class and even adults thinking of leaving for the suburbs."
If that's what you meant, congressman, thanks. Because it needs to be said.
Depending on who you ask, Mayor Daley is the guy who keeps Chicago from turning into Detroit, the guy who's made "Chicago politics" a smear around the world, the green mayor, the greenwashing mayor, a political mastermind, or the "petty tyrant" I recently heard an alderman call him.
Of course, that alderman supported all of the mayor's Olympics plans. Of course, all of the aldermen supported all of the mayor's Olympics plans.
Which is the point here: whatever anybody thinks of Richard M. Daley, he is the one person capable of getting damn near everyone in Chicago on board with an issue. It doesn't make for a healthy democratic process, but it's what we're stuck with for now. So it's time to let the mayor know that if he wants a capstone for his career, he could ensure it by declaring next week that he's keeping the Chicago 2016 committee together and that its mission will be to find ways in the next seven years to create jobs, invest in infrastructure, and build a legacy of public safety.
That possibility isn't the only good thing to come out of the Olympic bid process. By spurning Chicago, the International Olympic Committee has issued a reminder to everyone here that even Mayor Daley can be told no. If he doesn't wield his clout to address some of Chicago's grave problems by the time he's up for re-election in February 2011, I hope voters here will tell him again.
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im so sad chicago dont get to host olympics....i wish one day chicagoreader got to cover the games at their home ... sobs sobs
It is so strange to see him fail. Always, it's a done deal well before it can be examined and criticism such an exercise in futility. It took the better part of the day to realize this feeling I have, it's satisfaction. Don't think I've ever felt that relative to city policy before.
Funny that for two weeks before the announcement there were no new stories on this blog. now, like jackals and vultures here comes little mick and one trick tiff Ben blathering ad nauseum.
what petty little men to pile on at this time. says a lot about why they are writing for free.
I see Orion (Classless) is back with his incessant whining and pointless ad hominem attacks. Classless is apropos for you, good buddy.
Classless, you're calling us late to the party? Gimme a break. http://tinyurl.com/y9cty93
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