I'm not blaming the victims here. All I I said is that the intersection works for pedestrians: you have traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. It would be ideal if Evanston used smarter traffic lights and buttons for pedestrians to request a signal, but I doubt that will happen with the city finances in shambles.
Anyhow, perhaps you have different bus accidents in mind -- in the one I recall was a *pedestrian* (there was no bike in sight): http://evanstonnow.com/story/news/bill-smith/2009-09-17/bus-accident-snarls-traffic
At any rate, my point remains the same: the intersection is adequate for pedestrians, not so much for cyclists on the bike lane. Even in a perfect intersection, you cannot prevent "user error": intoxicated drivers/pedestrians, drivers/pedestrians not paying attention, senile drivers, etc. Some possible problems can be mitigated, e.g., not allowing cell phone talking while driving.
As someone who has managed trade shows and attended many trade conferences, it is reassuring and a pleasure to hear comments such as Mr. Coonen's.
Instead of "towers" and more residential development in a "thriving" market, how about a push for more business and commercial? During the summer, NU must have unused capacity, how about cooperation among the City, NU and hotels for small to medium conferences? The proximity to Chicago airports would be an asset.
I was standing right there. She came in, didn't ask where you had to register (which was upstairs) and went right into the area where they were taking blood. The Blood Source coordinater had to ask her to get out of the BIOHAZARD area. Mind you she was lobbying while the family of the officer were in the chairs giving blood. I was disgusted. Bill, is wasnt the 110 pounds that she was lacking, is was taste.
You can do it,make it a bowl win on 1-1-10.When they win we will be lining the streets to welcome Fitz and the kids back after a 60 year wait.Get the Fire trucks and officers cars cleaned and ready.
Hi, I'm John Coonen, Co-Host of CMS Expo, and Director of the CMS Association, which hosts the annual CMS Expo Learning & Business Conference.
Our job is to support and foster the growth of Content Management Systems (CMS) software and creative communities, such as for Drupal, Joomla!, WordPress, Plone, Alfresco and others. The CMS Expo is a live annual conference which brings together web design and development professionals from around the world to learn what's new, and make quality business connections.
The Chamber of Commerce, City, CVB, Hotel Orrington, the EDC, along with a local firm (Arc Technology Group) have all been extremely supportive of our efforts to find a home for CMS Expo. We held past conferences in Denver and Rosemont, but decided on Evanston, due in large part to their very warm welcome and active support.
Why did DrupalCamp come to Evanston? Well, we can only take partial and indirect credit for DrupalCamp coming to Evanston, which brought over 350 attendees from around the country last weekend. Many of the organizers and speakers of DrupalCamp (a 2-day learning conference centered on Drupal Content Management System), were integrally involved with CMS Expo this year (as speakers and sponsors).
Naturally, they got great exposure to how a tech conference could run at the Hotel Orrington's beautiful new conference center. They were impressed with the event and the great service at the Hotel Orrington. It didn't hurt that two of DrupalCamp's organizers (Tiffany Farriss and George DeMet, who own downtown Chicago-based web development firm, Palantir.net - one of CMS Expo's sponsors from 2009) reside in Evanston!
Call it kismet, but it worked out nicely for Evanston.
Evanston is an ideal place to hold tech conferences. Great location, great conference center, great restaurants and shopping, great people, safe streets, welcoming and supportive business community; Evanston's got something great going. It's encouraging to see a coordinated effort from Evanston's leadership to make sure those assets are well-promoted, to attract quality events to the city.
That helps us all succeed.
John Coonen
Co-Host, CMS Expo Learning & Business Conference
May 3, 4, 5, 2010
http://cmsx.us
I can tell you first-hand that the PEDESTRIAN hit by the CAR was crossing Ridge westbound IN the pedestrian crosswalk WITH the light. The driver of the car, turning south onto Ridge, drove straight through the pedestrian signal and hit the pedestrian, afterwards admitting she hadn't seen the pedestrian. It was 4 in the afternoon on a mild fall day, and the pedestrian was wearing light-colored clothing. Witnesses said the driver was looking down as she turned into the crosswalk.
As for the BUS accident, the victim was on a BICYCLE. Unlikely she was trying to beat the bus to the stop with plans to catch it.
I would love to read some historical information as to how, when and who negotiated these union contracts. What is the background and the reasoning of such negotiations.
What are other cities doing about the unsustainable pensions? It seems only a few years back state legislators FINALLY did something about the abuse in the system where government union employees would get promoted just before retirement so they could collect a larger pension paycheck.
I'd like to know more details of these pension plans - what is the average annual pension pay of retired city union employees and when do they get to retire, etc.
I bet the results would shock Evanstonians.
Reply:
In the case of the public safety pensions, our state legislators set the rules. The local taxpayers have to pick up the tab.
Learn more in the city's pension task force report from last year.
-- Bill
Not at all, Bill. It was inappropriate of her to show up at a blood drive and discuss her candidacy and disseminate information. She admitted to knowing that there would be a large group of Evanstonians...she took advantage. It was in bad taste.
One or more Comments have said savings from closing the branch libraries would not help much. In fact every little bit does help. As a Senator said "...a million here, a million there and soon you are talking real money."
Do environmentalists tell people changing to an energy saving bulb won't help since it is such a small contribution ? No.
We must look for every bit of waste in the budget or at some point big items will have to go, e.g. Main library, bankruptcy for the city so union contracts and pensions can be broken and new more reasonable ones established.
As Al Gore says about the environment, do we want to wait until the city faces a disaster before we act ?
Reply:
The quote is more commonly rendered: "A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it adds up to real money." And it's commonly attributed to the late U.S. Senator from Illinois, Everett McKinley Dirksen. But the Dirksen Center says he may never have actually said it.
-- Bill
I lived in the corner of Ridge and Davis for nearly 9 years. The setup for cyclists crossing Ridge on the Davis intersection is treacherous, because the bike line veers to left, away from a lane for car to take a right turn -- there is a point in which cars and bikes are forced to cross paths. Plus, it is surprisingly frequent in the Chicago area to see erratic drivers, who decide to take a right or left turn from the wrong side of the street. It is also very frequent in Evanston for cars to use the bike lanes to stop.
The setup for pedestrians seems adequate. There was a never a further report of the pedestrian hit by the bus. Was she trying to beat the bus to the bus stop?
As for the last incident, there is no design that can prevent someone intoxicated from running a red light: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/news/1934100,evanston-crash-drugs-121109-s1.article
I don't see how the size restriction will alleviate the situation. I experienced the problem first hand a few weeks ago. I guess the largest resale store is that of Salvation Army. If I'm not mistaken, it is also the one most people know about, so I wonder whether the issue with people dropping stuff off hours in those stores is more a function of awareness that the those stores exist, instead of their size [was all that discussion about square footage informed by some well designed research about the causes?].
A few weeks ago I wanted to donate two TVs. On an early Saturday afternoon, I discovered that Salvation Army on Chicago Ave is open only from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. In other words, donation would require taking hours off a regular work schedule. Loading TVs on a car is not easy. I walked around the Salvation Army building (and saw the donations stacked on the ground) and was fortunate enough to find some people loading a Salvation Army truck. They were kind enough to take my two TVs.
So, here's a radical suggestion: have places where people can drop off donations off regular work hours (say business days from 6PM to 9PM, and weekends), perhaps require the largest resale shops to receive items after 5PM on weekdays and one weekends. Require cross posting of drop off locations and their hours in each store: if the location is closed, where can you take your stuff to donate? Have the city's web site dedicate a page to listing all locations. Some random police enforcement, to fine people who dump their stuff in front of a resale shop would be good, too. There must be some ordinance the prohibits littering --- it is, after all, a littering problem, and not a closed shop storing items outdoors.
Collecting donations only within business hours borders silliness, in my opinion. And this is something the city does, too (see, for example: http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/publicworks/streets/medmercury.shtml).
I ride Metra to work. I have children to support and a big real estate bill in Evanston to pay so it's off to work I go.
I see many older riders dressed in much nicer clothes than me, carrying Coach leather bags and talking on their latest-edition cell phones. Sometimes, they speak loudly enough for others to hear -- talking about their latest vacation to an expensive location or their latest money-making moves for their fat retirement accounts (yes, they discuss dollar amounts) or their real estate investments. Good for them -- they have done well financially and are enjoying their lives.
Then they pull out their free passes, given to them solely because they are 65 years old or older.
Why do these riders need or deserve a free ride? They are not in danger of missing doctor appointments or skipping shopping for essentials because they can't afford the train or bus.
The Pander-Gov shoved this program down the legislators' throats, hoping that seniors would flock to his side in support and keep him in office. And we're stuck with the needless expense.
It's time to get rid of this farce -- help those who financially need the help but not give a handout to those who don't. If Eamon Kelly is willing to deliver this news to someone who may not like it, he's on the right track to get my vote.
Free rides for seniors sounds great in principle, but it is just not practical in the economic climate today. It's a program that is costing the State millions in lost revenue that the we desperately needs to get into better financial health.
Kelly seems like he's not afraid to cut down on this 'pork' even if it does annoy some groups...that's the kind of representative we need in Springfield.
I wonder if the health care professionals who endorse Ms. Gabel know that she wormed her way into the blood drive at the Evanston Fire Department today and disseminated her literature? This blood drive was organized in support of a police officer who is currently fighting for his life. Rather than donate blood, Ms. Gabel dropped off a few baked goods and quickly began working the room. Those present in that room were appalled. Shame on Robyn Gabel.
Reply:
Blood drive rules say you have to weigh over 110 pounds to donate blood. Robyn is a rather petite person. Wouldn't surprise me if she weighed less than 110 pounds. If she does, would that cast a different light on her actions for you?
-- Bill
I don't see how the Sierra Club, supposedly an environmental organization, can support a candidate who opposed the Tower and opposes increased population density in Evanston.
There are only two ways that one can be opposed to density: either you favor sprawl (more roads, cars, pollution, big houses) or you just are opposed to economic or population growth entirely.
I don't see how a group can claim to support public transportation, yet oppose the population density necessary to make public transportation viable.
" Kelly expressed to me that senior should not ride public transportation free.
I'm not sure who I will vote for. I don't want to vote for Jeff Smith, but I wouldn't mind seeing him sent to Springfield (so he wouldn't have as much time to ruin things in Evanston).
But if Kelly is willing to tell a senior citizen that senior citizens do not deserve free transit passes, then he sounds like a good guy. Remember, this 'free transit' baloney was Blago's idea. I have no problem with lower-income seniors getting discounts or even free rides, but I can't see subsidizing wealthier people taking the Metra to work.
The problem is that we have too many pandering politicians like Blago who tell people what they want to hear.
Do branch libraries generate revenue or incur cost for the city?
I would think they generate cost for the city only.
We have an extraordinary facility in downtown Evanston that is literally 1-4 miles from each of the branch locations.
Closing branches may not impact the shortfall by a lot, but then again, every little bit counts. If we used that ideology for everything, we will get nowhere.
From his appearance at my door, I am not impress with Mr. Kelly and the fact that he is another lawyer looking for a job. Kelly expressed to me that senior should not ride public transportation free. Can you image he had the nerve to say this to a senior. I am not impress with any of the individual candidates on the Democratic Ticket for State Offices nor for Obama's seat in the Senate. I am taking a hard look at the Republican candidates.
This is terrific news! It would be great it you could report on who's responsible for bringing this to Evanston. Was it our politicians? A particular business in Evanston? A group of businesses in Evanston? The University? The Chamber? All of them working together? I continue to believe that economic development in this city pretty much happens haphazardly with little planning and coordination between the City and the business community. This is either an indication of such coordination happening or, I'm afraid, just another one off event that occurred because of one person, one company, or one organization's vision. Tell us the back story.
Reply:
Don't think I know the whole story.
But a few folks who work for local web development firms seem to have been instrumental in getting the first CMS Expo session here. Local government officials were pretty welcoming.
CMS Expo attendees and organizers apparently had a good experience. That led to the decision to reprise CMS Expo here next year, and, probably given the overlap in attendees, to this weekend's event being held here as well.
"Closing the library branches will not come close to solving the $8 million budget gap. Laying off enough current city employees would."
Anonymous Al -- I am not certain of your point in raising it like that. You want to have each City department lay off 10% of their staff. You also seem to be indicating that closing the library branches will not aid in closing the budget gap. Don't those employeess get counted as "current city employees" to be considered for being included in the cuts, as well?
I think that the branch library staff have always been very helpful and courteous when I have used those sites. And I have found them to be a real convenience to be able to use either of them. But if they were not there I would use the Main Branch, as I already do when I am downtown. It seems like there is a bonus in closing the branches because the cost saved in reducing those staff is compounded by reducing the branches' operating costs, as well.
If we are going to have to make cuts in services that are provided to all of us, I think we should start by making cuts in services that are being provided to only some of us.
Let's start with a 10 percent layoff in EACH city department. That means some city employees will lose their jobs and those that still have a job will have to take on more responsibilities.
Anyone who is employed in the private sector - MOST EVANSTONIANS ARE - know how that works. Laying off city employees should not be a question of less services but a question of more efficiency - do more for less.
Is there any concern that NOT ONE UNION CITY EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN LAID OFF SINCE THE RECESSION BEGAN!!!! Is anyone outraged that union employees keep getting annual cost of living wage increases during a severe Recession, which we are still in?
Meanwhile, over the same amount of time, our property tax rates have increased as our property values have declined, and our budget deficit has ballooned to $8 million.
Closing the library branches will not come close to solving the $8 million budget gap. Laying off enough current city employees would.
But again, every single alderperson, the mayor and probably everyone on the budget advisory committee are registered Democrats. As we know, the unions, including the one our city employees are a member of, wholly support the Democrats.
That's why we have the union president of OUR CITY EMPLOYEES on the budget advisory committee.
And that's why I predict few if any union city employees will be laid off, and that city officials will raise taxes again and pass off the remaining budget problems to be solved at a future date.
If you're an Evanston property owner, and you don't like the continued increase in property tax rates as your property values decline, and you earn and sweat out your living in the private sector, you have only our city and school officials, and the Democratic party to blame.
In my opinion, those hard-working taxpayers can quietly sit back and take it or they can do something about it - write, email or call your elected officials, join the Republican party, or run for office in the next term. As long as Democrats rule this city, the unions will have their way with lush contracts, pensions and guaranteed jobs and raises.
The only growth industry in this Recession is government. That is a sad and alarming fact.
Small potatoes or not, you seem to be in favor of generic cuts which somehow don't affect the level of services provided by the city. Guess what, you can't have it both ways.
Union bashing aside, what services are you willing to do without? Or should the city continue trying to be all things to all people with no budget restraint?
I'm not blaming the victims here. All I I said is that the intersection works for pedestrians: you have traffic signals and pedestrian crossings. It would be ideal if Evanston used smarter traffic lights and buttons for pedestrians to request a signal, but I doubt that will happen with the city finances in shambles.
Anyhow, perhaps you have different bus accidents in mind -- in the one I recall was a *pedestrian* (there was no bike in sight): http://evanstonnow.com/story/news/bill-smith/2009-09-17/bus-accident-snarls-traffic
At any rate, my point remains the same: the intersection is adequate for pedestrians, not so much for cyclists on the bike lane. Even in a perfect intersection, you cannot prevent "user error": intoxicated drivers/pedestrians, drivers/pedestrians not paying attention, senile drivers, etc. Some possible problems can be mitigated, e.g., not allowing cell phone talking while driving.
As someone who has managed trade shows and attended many trade conferences, it is reassuring and a pleasure to hear comments such as Mr. Coonen's.
Instead of "towers" and more residential development in a "thriving" market, how about a push for more business and commercial? During the summer, NU must have unused capacity, how about cooperation among the City, NU and hotels for small to medium conferences? The proximity to Chicago airports would be an asset.
What we have tried is not working.
I was standing right there. She came in, didn't ask where you had to register (which was upstairs) and went right into the area where they were taking blood. The Blood Source coordinater had to ask her to get out of the BIOHAZARD area. Mind you she was lobbying while the family of the officer were in the chairs giving blood. I was disgusted. Bill, is wasnt the 110 pounds that she was lacking, is was taste.
You can do it,make it a bowl win on 1-1-10.When they win we will be lining the streets to welcome Fitz and the kids back after a 60 year wait.Get the Fire trucks and officers cars cleaned and ready.
Hi, I'm John Coonen, Co-Host of CMS Expo, and Director of the CMS Association, which hosts the annual CMS Expo Learning & Business Conference.
Our job is to support and foster the growth of Content Management Systems (CMS) software and creative communities, such as for Drupal, Joomla!, WordPress, Plone, Alfresco and others. The CMS Expo is a live annual conference which brings together web design and development professionals from around the world to learn what's new, and make quality business connections.
The Chamber of Commerce, City, CVB, Hotel Orrington, the EDC, along with a local firm (Arc Technology Group) have all been extremely supportive of our efforts to find a home for CMS Expo. We held past conferences in Denver and Rosemont, but decided on Evanston, due in large part to their very warm welcome and active support.
Why did DrupalCamp come to Evanston? Well, we can only take partial and indirect credit for DrupalCamp coming to Evanston, which brought over 350 attendees from around the country last weekend. Many of the organizers and speakers of DrupalCamp (a 2-day learning conference centered on Drupal Content Management System), were integrally involved with CMS Expo this year (as speakers and sponsors).
Naturally, they got great exposure to how a tech conference could run at the Hotel Orrington's beautiful new conference center. They were impressed with the event and the great service at the Hotel Orrington. It didn't hurt that two of DrupalCamp's organizers (Tiffany Farriss and George DeMet, who own downtown Chicago-based web development firm, Palantir.net - one of CMS Expo's sponsors from 2009) reside in Evanston!
Call it kismet, but it worked out nicely for Evanston.
Evanston is an ideal place to hold tech conferences. Great location, great conference center, great restaurants and shopping, great people, safe streets, welcoming and supportive business community; Evanston's got something great going. It's encouraging to see a coordinated effort from Evanston's leadership to make sure those assets are well-promoted, to attract quality events to the city.
That helps us all succeed.
John Coonen
Co-Host, CMS Expo Learning & Business Conference
May 3, 4, 5, 2010
http://cmsx.us
I can tell you first-hand that the PEDESTRIAN hit by the CAR was crossing Ridge westbound IN the pedestrian crosswalk WITH the light. The driver of the car, turning south onto Ridge, drove straight through the pedestrian signal and hit the pedestrian, afterwards admitting she hadn't seen the pedestrian. It was 4 in the afternoon on a mild fall day, and the pedestrian was wearing light-colored clothing. Witnesses said the driver was looking down as she turned into the crosswalk.
As for the BUS accident, the victim was on a BICYCLE. Unlikely she was trying to beat the bus to the stop with plans to catch it.
I would love to read some historical information as to how, when and who negotiated these union contracts. What is the background and the reasoning of such negotiations.
What are other cities doing about the unsustainable pensions? It seems only a few years back state legislators FINALLY did something about the abuse in the system where government union employees would get promoted just before retirement so they could collect a larger pension paycheck.
I'd like to know more details of these pension plans - what is the average annual pension pay of retired city union employees and when do they get to retire, etc.
I bet the results would shock Evanstonians.
Reply:
In the case of the public safety pensions, our state legislators set the rules. The local taxpayers have to pick up the tab.
Learn more in the city's pension task force report from last year.
-- Bill
Way to go Mayor Tisdahl!
While few here approve of gambling... Many would certainly support a wager of this nature.
Dictionary.com says: "a pledge of a forfeit risked on some uncertain outcome; wager: Where do we place our bets?"
Go Wildcats and stay purple City Council!
=;D Brian Becharas
Not at all, Bill. It was inappropriate of her to show up at a blood drive and discuss her candidacy and disseminate information. She admitted to knowing that there would be a large group of Evanstonians...she took advantage. It was in bad taste.
Our firm is the lead sponsor of CMS Expo (www.cmsx.us) and pushed to have the event in Evanston.
It will be held in Evanston again in spring 2010!
Now . . . how can we get the Evanston business community on the bandwagon to gain maximum advantage from these events?
Please contact me at joe.scarry at arctg.com to get involved!
THANKS!
One or more Comments have said savings from closing the branch libraries would not help much. In fact every little bit does help. As a Senator said "...a million here, a million there and soon you are talking real money."
Do environmentalists tell people changing to an energy saving bulb won't help since it is such a small contribution ? No.
We must look for every bit of waste in the budget or at some point big items will have to go, e.g. Main library, bankruptcy for the city so union contracts and pensions can be broken and new more reasonable ones established.
As Al Gore says about the environment, do we want to wait until the city faces a disaster before we act ?
Reply:
The quote is more commonly rendered: "A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon it adds up to real money." And it's commonly attributed to the late U.S. Senator from Illinois, Everett McKinley Dirksen. But the Dirksen Center says he may never have actually said it.
-- Bill
I lived in the corner of Ridge and Davis for nearly 9 years. The setup for cyclists crossing Ridge on the Davis intersection is treacherous, because the bike line veers to left, away from a lane for car to take a right turn -- there is a point in which cars and bikes are forced to cross paths. Plus, it is surprisingly frequent in the Chicago area to see erratic drivers, who decide to take a right or left turn from the wrong side of the street. It is also very frequent in Evanston for cars to use the bike lanes to stop.
The setup for pedestrians seems adequate. There was a never a further report of the pedestrian hit by the bus. Was she trying to beat the bus to the bus stop?
As for the last incident, there is no design that can prevent someone intoxicated from running a red light: http://www.pioneerlocal.com/evanston/news/1934100,evanston-crash-drugs-121109-s1.article
I don't see how the size restriction will alleviate the situation. I experienced the problem first hand a few weeks ago. I guess the largest resale store is that of Salvation Army. If I'm not mistaken, it is also the one most people know about, so I wonder whether the issue with people dropping stuff off hours in those stores is more a function of awareness that the those stores exist, instead of their size [was all that discussion about square footage informed by some well designed research about the causes?].
A few weeks ago I wanted to donate two TVs. On an early Saturday afternoon, I discovered that Salvation Army on Chicago Ave is open only from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. In other words, donation would require taking hours off a regular work schedule. Loading TVs on a car is not easy. I walked around the Salvation Army building (and saw the donations stacked on the ground) and was fortunate enough to find some people loading a Salvation Army truck. They were kind enough to take my two TVs.
So, here's a radical suggestion: have places where people can drop off donations off regular work hours (say business days from 6PM to 9PM, and weekends), perhaps require the largest resale shops to receive items after 5PM on weekdays and one weekends. Require cross posting of drop off locations and their hours in each store: if the location is closed, where can you take your stuff to donate? Have the city's web site dedicate a page to listing all locations. Some random police enforcement, to fine people who dump their stuff in front of a resale shop would be good, too. There must be some ordinance the prohibits littering --- it is, after all, a littering problem, and not a closed shop storing items outdoors.
Collecting donations only within business hours borders silliness, in my opinion. And this is something the city does, too (see, for example: http://www.cityofevanston.org/departments/publicworks/streets/medmercury.shtml).
I ride Metra to work. I have children to support and a big real estate bill in Evanston to pay so it's off to work I go.
I see many older riders dressed in much nicer clothes than me, carrying Coach leather bags and talking on their latest-edition cell phones. Sometimes, they speak loudly enough for others to hear -- talking about their latest vacation to an expensive location or their latest money-making moves for their fat retirement accounts (yes, they discuss dollar amounts) or their real estate investments. Good for them -- they have done well financially and are enjoying their lives.
Then they pull out their free passes, given to them solely because they are 65 years old or older.
Why do these riders need or deserve a free ride? They are not in danger of missing doctor appointments or skipping shopping for essentials because they can't afford the train or bus.
The Pander-Gov shoved this program down the legislators' throats, hoping that seniors would flock to his side in support and keep him in office. And we're stuck with the needless expense.
It's time to get rid of this farce -- help those who financially need the help but not give a handout to those who don't. If Eamon Kelly is willing to deliver this news to someone who may not like it, he's on the right track to get my vote.
Free rides for seniors sounds great in principle, but it is just not practical in the economic climate today. It's a program that is costing the State millions in lost revenue that the we desperately needs to get into better financial health.
Kelly seems like he's not afraid to cut down on this 'pork' even if it does annoy some groups...that's the kind of representative we need in Springfield.
I wonder if the health care professionals who endorse Ms. Gabel know that she wormed her way into the blood drive at the Evanston Fire Department today and disseminated her literature? This blood drive was organized in support of a police officer who is currently fighting for his life. Rather than donate blood, Ms. Gabel dropped off a few baked goods and quickly began working the room. Those present in that room were appalled. Shame on Robyn Gabel.
Reply:
Blood drive rules say you have to weigh over 110 pounds to donate blood. Robyn is a rather petite person. Wouldn't surprise me if she weighed less than 110 pounds. If she does, would that cast a different light on her actions for you?
-- Bill
I don't see how the Sierra Club, supposedly an environmental organization, can support a candidate who opposed the Tower and opposes increased population density in Evanston.
There are only two ways that one can be opposed to density: either you favor sprawl (more roads, cars, pollution, big houses) or you just are opposed to economic or population growth entirely.
I don't see how a group can claim to support public transportation, yet oppose the population density necessary to make public transportation viable.
As others have pointed out, you cannot be both a NIMBY and an environmentalist.
My concern is that pay by volume will cause a rash of fly-dumping into other people's trash containers.
" Kelly expressed to me that senior should not ride public transportation free.
I'm not sure who I will vote for. I don't want to vote for Jeff Smith, but I wouldn't mind seeing him sent to Springfield (so he wouldn't have as much time to ruin things in Evanston).
But if Kelly is willing to tell a senior citizen that senior citizens do not deserve free transit passes, then he sounds like a good guy. Remember, this 'free transit' baloney was Blago's idea. I have no problem with lower-income seniors getting discounts or even free rides, but I can't see subsidizing wealthier people taking the Metra to work.
The problem is that we have too many pandering politicians like Blago who tell people what they want to hear.
Do branch libraries generate revenue or incur cost for the city?
I would think they generate cost for the city only.
We have an extraordinary facility in downtown Evanston that is literally 1-4 miles from each of the branch locations.
Closing branches may not impact the shortfall by a lot, but then again, every little bit counts. If we used that ideology for everything, we will get nowhere.
From his appearance at my door, I am not impress with Mr. Kelly and the fact that he is another lawyer looking for a job. Kelly expressed to me that senior should not ride public transportation free. Can you image he had the nerve to say this to a senior. I am not impress with any of the individual candidates on the Democratic Ticket for State Offices nor for Obama's seat in the Senate. I am taking a hard look at the Republican candidates.
This is terrific news! It would be great it you could report on who's responsible for bringing this to Evanston. Was it our politicians? A particular business in Evanston? A group of businesses in Evanston? The University? The Chamber? All of them working together? I continue to believe that economic development in this city pretty much happens haphazardly with little planning and coordination between the City and the business community. This is either an indication of such coordination happening or, I'm afraid, just another one off event that occurred because of one person, one company, or one organization's vision. Tell us the back story.
Reply:
Don't think I know the whole story.
But a few folks who work for local web development firms seem to have been instrumental in getting the first CMS Expo session here. Local government officials were pretty welcoming.
CMS Expo attendees and organizers apparently had a good experience. That led to the decision to reprise CMS Expo here next year, and, probably given the overlap in attendees, to this weekend's event being held here as well.
--Bill
"Closing the library branches will not come close to solving the $8 million budget gap. Laying off enough current city employees would."
Anonymous Al -- I am not certain of your point in raising it like that. You want to have each City department lay off 10% of their staff. You also seem to be indicating that closing the library branches will not aid in closing the budget gap. Don't those employeess get counted as "current city employees" to be considered for being included in the cuts, as well?
I think that the branch library staff have always been very helpful and courteous when I have used those sites. And I have found them to be a real convenience to be able to use either of them. But if they were not there I would use the Main Branch, as I already do when I am downtown. It seems like there is a bonus in closing the branches because the cost saved in reducing those staff is compounded by reducing the branches' operating costs, as well.
If we are going to have to make cuts in services that are provided to all of us, I think we should start by making cuts in services that are being provided to only some of us.
Biblio Phil
Jason Hays,
Let's start with a 10 percent layoff in EACH city department. That means some city employees will lose their jobs and those that still have a job will have to take on more responsibilities.
Anyone who is employed in the private sector - MOST EVANSTONIANS ARE - know how that works. Laying off city employees should not be a question of less services but a question of more efficiency - do more for less.
Is there any concern that NOT ONE UNION CITY EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN LAID OFF SINCE THE RECESSION BEGAN!!!! Is anyone outraged that union employees keep getting annual cost of living wage increases during a severe Recession, which we are still in?
Meanwhile, over the same amount of time, our property tax rates have increased as our property values have declined, and our budget deficit has ballooned to $8 million.
Closing the library branches will not come close to solving the $8 million budget gap. Laying off enough current city employees would.
But again, every single alderperson, the mayor and probably everyone on the budget advisory committee are registered Democrats. As we know, the unions, including the one our city employees are a member of, wholly support the Democrats.
That's why we have the union president of OUR CITY EMPLOYEES on the budget advisory committee.
And that's why I predict few if any union city employees will be laid off, and that city officials will raise taxes again and pass off the remaining budget problems to be solved at a future date.
If you're an Evanston property owner, and you don't like the continued increase in property tax rates as your property values decline, and you earn and sweat out your living in the private sector, you have only our city and school officials, and the Democratic party to blame.
In my opinion, those hard-working taxpayers can quietly sit back and take it or they can do something about it - write, email or call your elected officials, join the Republican party, or run for office in the next term. As long as Democrats rule this city, the unions will have their way with lush contracts, pensions and guaranteed jobs and raises.
The only growth industry in this Recession is government. That is a sad and alarming fact.
Small potatoes or not, you seem to be in favor of generic cuts which somehow don't affect the level of services provided by the city. Guess what, you can't have it both ways.
Union bashing aside, what services are you willing to do without? Or should the city continue trying to be all things to all people with no budget restraint?