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| Matt O'Shea |
That brings me to the question of why shouldn't we continue with Matt O'Shea. I think we should. He is good for the neighborhood and every resident benefits from his leadership.
When he took over four years ago he was handed a bowl of fish heads and told to make soup.
- 95th Street, a problem made worse by shortsighted planning.
- Western Avenue, an old and tired commercial strip that needed some positive energy.
- School overcrowding.
- A worsening crime problem.
His response has been spectacular and has resulted in
- Horse Thief Hollow
- Barraco's
- The restaurant project on the east side of 106th and Western.
- The sports complex at 115th and Western.
- The South Side Irish Parade.
- Mt. Greenwood School addition.
- Maximization of the use of all other CPS facilities.
- A "hands on" approach with the CPD resulting in greatly reduced crime.
- A refinancing of the Beverly Arts Center, based on reality.
Alderman O'Shea gives new meaning to the term "Public Service". Additionally, he finds the time to be a good family man.
Matt O'Shea is the real deal. He walks the talk and not only shows up, but does most of the heavy lifting.
ReplyDeleteMatt.what yo going to do about the Good Will store going into the old Borders?
ReplyDeleteThere is a Goodwill store in Willowbrook. No problems…………..ever.
DeleteWillowbrook is not the South Side of Chicago.
DeleteWent to Mt. Greenwood Park on Monday, lots of Schaible signs out front, no matter, voting for Matt was a no brainer.
ReplyDeleteWhile I personally think that the time - and the need - for Dr. Anne Schaible to run for Alderman has come and gone, I don't know that because she has not responded to your blog should really matter. I love your blog and think you are doing a tremendous service to the area to allow an uncensored - and anonymous - opportunity for people to comment and even complain about things they may not be happy about. I am sure the powers that be in the 19th Ward do not approve and wish your blog would just go away. I know Matt as a casual acquaintance, and always found him to be a down to earth guy, with no pretentions. And that was before I knew he was politically connected and before he became Alderman. I will vote for Matt and not have to hold my nose...like I have done for some of our "locals" in the past. But to others who are or will be running for office or reelection who live here - you no longer get a pass from me just because you live here.
ReplyDeleteLet's remember that O'Shea was against the parade during his first campaign. Also, when rumors of a possible parade return began to surface, O'Shea was again against it. Credit for a successful and peaceful SSI parade should be given to the parade committee and their hard work.!
ReplyDeleteand don't forget the tireless energies of Skinny Sheahan. He was the guy that brought it back.
DeleteWhy exactly did we lose the parade in the first place? Rowdy crowds? Or was it that Daley called someone in and complained that he was spending too much money? In an attempt to kiss his arse, that someone came up with the excuse that the crowds were too rowdy and the parade had to go. For some strange reason, a reason that someone should explore, the parade committee rolled over as if they were at the end of their rope. I think the committee's decision was at best an over-reaction fueled by political intimidation and perhaps, a few political favors too.
DeleteTrue, the crowds were a bit rowdy, but that went to the manner in which the parade was being managed. The parade committee could have moved to stop all the bus trips from the north side, non-local parade marchers and they could have moved to stop the public drinking. Instead they choose to cave in.
I'm glad the parade is back and am happy with the way this committee is managing it. I only hope that they can appreciate the value of the parade to our neighborhood in terms of cultural awareness and cohesiveness.
I think at the time that Matt O'Shea was making the right call regarding the parade. At the time, it had become a neighborhood embarrassment. I think you are totally understating the level of mayhem that this parade brought to our proud neighborhood. There are tons of stories of bad behavior among those in attendance, not to mention the universal under age drinking and debauchery. I for one was proud when we said - no more! The new Parade may lack the numbers of the earlier days, but I do not pine for the days when people were urinating, copulating, drug taking, in our alleys, streets, and parks.
DeleteFor Your Safety
DeleteSpeed ticket cameras keep ticketing teacher's car. http://www.dnainfo.com/chicago/20150212/humboldt-park/speed-camera-already-cited-for-erroneous-tickets-strikes-parked-cars-again
The last year the parade ran before it was suspended, the police blotter in the Beverly Review featured a complaint investigated regarding a couple engaged in an act of sexual intercourse in a yard around 106th and Oakley...plus the numerous public urinators and the swarm of underage college kids arriving on the Metra with cases of beer in tow. And given the vast spread of these nuisance complaints, how would you act to prohibit, within feasible costs, the number of lawbreakers coming to the parade, northside, westside, south suburban and those merry makers who already live here? The zero tolerance thing is working now, but the whole parade and the mile run that precedes the parade are over within 2 hours.
Deletethose incidents would be considered very mild for the gay pride and the bud bililken parade which the city picks up the entire tab for
DeleteIt doesn't matter what goes on at other parades. Many people in this community wanted something better that reflects the values of this neighborhood and the original spirit of our parade. They got their wish after a two-year break from the parade, and because of the two-year break. The incidents here weren't mild, and if people who attend other parades think those incidents are mild then that says something about them.
DeleteJust got some campaign literature in the mail.
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder why Beat 2221 is the size of a green stamp, and Beat 2211 stretches from 99th and Western to Marist High School.