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* Most of the attention has been focused on Mayor Daley’s failures during last week’s blizzard. But lots of Chicago aldermen have contested races this month and they’ve been scrambling to soothe constituents’ anger. Ald. Sandi Jackson is up against the daugher of Cook County Commissioner Bill Beavers. The day after the storm, Jackson did a robocall complaining about unfair snow removal priorities by the city. She also called for an inspector general investigation of the distribution of snow plows during the blizzard.
Yesterday, Jackson’s 7th Ward sanitation superintendent was essentially sacked…
Wendell Upton, the city’s 7th Ward sanitation superintendent, has been stripped of his responsibilities and reassigned to administrative duties for allegedly failing to adequately deliver snow removal to residents of the South Side ward.
Streets and Sanitation spokesman Matt Smith refused to specify just how Upton fell down on the job. He would only say that Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Tom Byrne made the decision and that incumbent Ald. Sandi Jackson (7th) concurred.
A temporary replacement for Upton will “continue to address the effects of the blizzard” until a permanent replacement is named, Smith said.
“The 7th Ward superintendent was removed from duty last week based on performance issues. His removal was a joint decision by Commissioner Byrne and Alderman Jackson,” Smith said.
* At least some aldermen were so concerned that they hired private companies to handle snow removal…
Alderman George Cardenas (12th Ward) said he had spent $10,000 from his campaign account to hire private plows and considered it a smarter use of the money than sending political mail or buying doughnuts for volunteers.
“Not cheap, but it was worth it,” said Mr. Cardenas, who has represented the Southwest Side ward since 2003. “I never had to do that. Then again, storms like this don’t come every year.”
Alderman John Rice (36th) estimated that he had spent $4,000 to $5,000 out of his own pocket to employ 10 workers and put fuel in two of his personal trucks that he committed to snow removal. Mr. Rice said he had driven one of the trucks down snow-clogged side streets in his far Northwest Side ward.
And…
For the second evening in a row, a fleet of plows and trucks hit the side streets and alleys of Chicago’s First Ward.
But they aren’t city plows. They were were commissioned by Ald. Joe Moreno, whose consituents complained about impassable roadways.
And…
Chicago’s 1st ward alderman, Proco Joe Morene is digging deep to help clear snow in his neighborhood.
He is just one of the city’s alderman hiring private plows to push away the snow.
And…
Ald. Leslie Hairston, 5th, said her ward has not gotten as many city plows and other pieces of snow removal equipment as she was promised. So, like others, she’s turning to private contractors to clear away alleys.
“We can’t keep waiting for (the city),” Hairston said Saturday.
* Even candidates are getting into the act. From a press release…
During a weekend in which many people were preparing seven-layer bean dip and icing their beers for Super Bowl parties, aldermanic candidate Michael Fitzgerald Ward was busy clearing out snow drifts in 45th Ward alleys that had remained blocked since last week’s historic blizzard.
Ward and his campaign staff spent most of the day on Saturday and Sunday coordinating with more than a dozen hired snow-plow drivers, almost as many bobcat bulldozers, and a team of dump trucks to help “rescue” dozens of 45th Ward residents who had called Ward’s campaign office asking if he could help dig them out from the record snowfall piled on top of their cars and blocking their garages.
“I’ve had to remind people who are calling in that I’m not yet their alderman – I don’t work for the city and I can’t send any city crews to their block,” Ward said. Although not yet an alderman, Ward donated some of his campaign funds along with money from his own pocket to hire a fleet of professional snow-removal contractors to assist the city with its efforts in the 45th Ward.
* Medill Reports called every aldermanic office last Wednesday to see if they’d added special info about the weather emergency. Just a few had…
Everything OK in your area?
* Related…
* The precedent Chicago ignored: Twelve years ago, city workers heaped 65,000 sandbags into piles creating walls to prevent high winds from spilling Lake Michigan onto the Drive. They did this three days before the storm hit. Last week’s blizzard came with even earlier warnings.
* Back story: Ridding an alderman’s alley of snow
* VIDEO: 53rd Ward: Ed vs. The Snow
* 16 inches of snow, 2 inches of sewage
* Blizzard costs area businesses millions
* VIDEO: Man gets snowy revenge on shovel thief
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 4:12 am
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In the 42nd Ward, most streets are clear but Ontario is down a few lanes making travel a challenge.
And hopefully this problem has been solved, but traffic NB on LSD on Saturday south of McCormick Place was bad. Lanes would suddenly be blocked by snow. At one point, two right lanes were blocked and about a block later the left was blocked forcing drivers to radically shift left then back right.
Comment by Jasper Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 5:28 am
“The precedent Chicago ignored: Twelve years ago, city workers heaped 65,000 sandbags into piles creating walls to prevent high winds from spilling Lake Michigan onto the Drive. They did this three days before the storm hit. Last week’s blizzard came with even earlier warnings.”
…Was there money to be able to do that?
12 years ago we weren’t reeling from the conservatives’ recession.
Comment by G. Willickers Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 7:44 am
I am a candidate for 45th Ward alderman.
Instead of ‘buying” votes with snow removal favors my response to requests for help from voters was to connect people. A neighbor of mine, Joe, is out of work. He has a family trying to make ends meet. So I put him in contact with the snow bound individual, Ron. Happy to pay Joe for his labor instead of taking a politically motivated handout, Ron appreciated the fast reply and seeing how his situation could turn into a benefit for a family in need.
That is how we move away from the pay to play politics this city is known for.
What did I get out of this. Ron came in on Saturday and knocked on doors for the campaign.
It is time to work together as neighbors to improve our ward and our city.
Comment by john arena Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 8:11 am
If I was a Chicago alderman I would promise my voters to find every means possible to prevent snow from occurring. I would point out to them that I had already succeeded most of the year and am now focusing on making what works so well in August do the same for us in January.
I would condemn the GOP for preventing needed testing and funding to implement my plans. I would call them anti science and claim that we have no money because of them. I would claim that the GOP ruined our stellar economy.
Surely we can cease snowfall in Chicago if we invested in the right green technologies.
I would hold rallies where I would have midgets holding snow shovels and promise snow removal and eradication of snow for the little people.
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 8:22 am
Hey, Arena. How is your move any less “politically motivated” than the other candidates? Get off your freaking high horse. Would you have done what you did without being a candidate? I doubt it. We don’t need any more sanctimonious candidates like you just like we don’t need any more pay to play politics.
Comment by Betsy Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 8:23 am
I saw the article about the City not sandbagging LSD. I may be wrong, but I think the City has always puts up snow fencing along LSD for the winter. But when I look at the images of the blizzard, I don’t see any this year.
Comment by Objective Dem Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 9:23 am
Really John? Pay to Play.I dont think trying to help people is pay to play. When we plow out one of your supporters parking spots we were joking about having your yard sign in a picture. In the video up top we are clearing the way for a supporter of another candidate as well.You go door to door saying what you are going to do, I went door to door showing them what i do. Actions speak louder than words. I guess you wont send any mailers or more yard signs because that would fit in your definition of pay to play. Shame on you.
Comment by Michael Fitzgerald Ward Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 9:50 am
Betsy,
Yes I would have done what I did. Candidate or not.
For ten yearsI have been a VOLUNTEER community leader on the Portage Park Neighborhood Assoc. board of directors. In that role I connected business owners with resources they needed, residents with services they could not find and helped raise thousands of dollars for underprivileged kids to gain access to experiences they would otherwise go without.
It is not sanctimony. It is how I approach serving my community. It is how I will approach the job of alderman.
Hope this help clear up my motivations.
John
Comment by john arena Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 10:03 am
The aldermen are wise to spend campaign on snow removal. Nobody can take the storm out on Daley, a la Bilandic, this time around.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 11:33 am
This horrible blizzard has given Chicago residents a chance to see just how much effort their alderman puts into helping constituents. My name is David Pavlik and I am running for alderman in the 32nd ward (Roscoe Village/Lincoln Park/Bucktown/Wicker Park/Ukranian Village) against incumbent Scott Waguespack, who has a dismal record when it comes to constituent services. The residents of my ward are already upset that they live in the ward with the 3rd highest rat problem, have streets riddled with pot holes and their alderman won’t return a phone call unless it’s the Tribune calling. But those residents who haven’t been paying attention to local issues got a chance to see during this snowstorm what happens when your alderman cares more about getting his name in the paper than helping residents.
In fact, While some alderman like Moreno, Cardenas and Rice were successfully combating this blizzard with private resources - Scott Waguespack was on the phone with a journalist complaining “They’re [32nd Ward residents] already angry, and I’m not too happy about it either,” said Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd. Regarding the resident’s feelings about the City snow removal strategy.
I’ve made putting the neighborhood first the centerpiece of my campaign. When the news reports of the snowstorm first broke, I assembled my volunteers into snow brigades and prepared for action. We put teams on the streets shoveling out residents, we called through all the seniors to find out who needed help and I rented a truck and put a plow on the front to help plow out the rough spots. You can see pictures of Team Pavlik in action on our facebook page at www.facebook.com/pavlik32
And for anyone who still needs help with this blizzard or in any other way, please reach us at www.davidpavlik.com
While no one knows how this election will play out, I can promise that my commitment is to our neighborhoods and its residents. I do know one thing though, if Scott Waguespack loses it’s going to be because his reformer credentials ring hollow when you look at his questionable ties to shady people like Scott Lee Cohen and because he put zero effort into helping the people of his ward.
Comment by David Pavlik Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 11:40 am
Get IDOT to clear the city streets!!! NO PRIVATE CONTRACTORS!!!!!!!
Comment by Greg Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 11:54 am
Sure you would have, Arena. Gimme a break. Just be honest and admit you have political motivations like anyone running for alderman or any political office.
Comment by Betsy Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 12:04 pm
Periennial 11th ward Aldermanic and Commissioner Candidate Carl Segvich was busy melting snow in the 11th. His hot air was so effective that pumps were called in to assist the overflowing sewers in the ward. Pictures at 11.
Comment by It's Oppenheimer's Fault Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 1:19 pm
yeah, run waguespack out of office and bring in one of Matlak’s boys. Bring things back to the good old days when the only constituent services in the ward is when a developer cuts a check to the alderman and gets a zoning variance approved.
Pay to play, indeed.
Comment by jerry 101 Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 2:36 pm
Michael Ward and John Arena both sound like bozo amateurs who wish they were politicians. Both of you, keep posting here - I am sure most of your “constituents” read Rich Miller’s blog. Idiots…
Comment by Two guys who will NOT be Alderman Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 2:59 pm
Hey, Two guys who will NOT be Alderman.
Don’t discourage these guys till they finish the alleys and maybe get to some back yards.
Comment by Phineas J. Whoopee Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 3:32 pm
I got emails from Dick Mell offering snow removal help and he’s running unopposed.
Comment by Cheryl Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 4:26 pm
Just sayin’… each Alderman makes either $100,000 a year or $110,000 a year. Plus the best health care in the world. And a wonderful pension. And a $75,000 budget for their office. and the ability to hire their children as assistants.
I never want to hear any Alderman complain about spending money out of their own pocket.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 6:42 pm
A Chicago Code Case Study: The 32nd Ward Aldermanic Race, Chicago Democrat Enquirer, Feb. 7, 2011. http://exm.nr/fbMrq7
Joe Lake, Chicago
Comment by Joe Lake Tuesday, Feb 8, 11 @ 9:59 pm
(Corrected Link) A Chicago Code Case Study:… http://exm.nr/fBMrq7
Joe Lake, Chicago
Comment by Joe Lake Wednesday, Feb 9, 11 @ 6:38 am
So let me get this straight, Arena is the intellectual candidate who doesn’t like getting his hands dirty. Rather help find people to do it for him. And Ward is the rich “guy” who solves his problems with money. Man I hope there’s other people running…..
Comment by Tony Whitting Wednesday, Feb 9, 11 @ 8:52 am
Mr. Pavlik is misinformed once again. One month ago he grew up in Ukie Village, 3 weeks ago he grew up in Wicker Park. Now for the first time we find out via last night’s forum that he was born and raised in Bucktown.
And as for his claim that current Alderman Scott Waguespack hasn’t done anything in regards to the blizzard- I offer all readers a few pix a friend of mine took of Scott & crew in action that Wednesday.
http://imgur.com/a/XmzxA#mtUgs
Comment by Todd Farkas Wednesday, Feb 9, 11 @ 9:47 am
@Todd - thanks for posting the pics. However, I see Scott but no crew. Either way, seems besides the point. Everyone can go out and shovel the fire hydrant in front of their building. The bigger issue is that the third highest snow total in Chicago’s history takes a little more creativity and initiative than shoveling a fire hydrant.
As for where Pavlik’s from, I have never heard anything other than his being born and raised in Bucktown/Wicker Park (which makes sense since these neighborhoods not only share a border, but also a Chamber of Commerce, library, etc.). As for Uki Village, being a resident myself, I know firsthand that Pavlik attended St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral. Something of which he is very proud. So, I guess he did grow up there as well, right? There are no inconsistencies in any of this information.
Are any of the other candidates lifelong residents of the 32nd Ward…?
Comment by uvresident Wednesday, Feb 9, 11 @ 11:26 am
32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack Snow Removal Update http://conta.cc/i1xKJO
Joe Lake, Chicago
Comment by Joe Lake Wednesday, Feb 9, 11 @ 1:13 pm
Tribune Endorsements-Contested Races, 32nd-42nd Wards. 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack endorsed, Feb. 9, 2011. http://bit.ly/g3vuRV
Joe Lake, Chicago
Comment by Joe Lake Wednesday, Feb 9, 11 @ 6:04 pm