Joe "Stumpy" Moore's City Council Report

More bullshit from 49th Ward Alderman Joe "Stumpy" Moore. In spite of the fact that Moore's office removed me from their email list, a number of people always forward theirs to me. Here's the latest load of crap. From: "ward49@cityofchicago.org" To: The Bench Subject: Alderman Moore's City Council Report Date: Tue, 6 Nov 2007 ALDERMAN MOORE'S CITY COUNCIL REPORT Dear Neighbor, For most of October, my legislative life has revolved around the Mayor's proposed City Budget for 2008. I've spent countless hours reviewing multiple books issued by the Mayor's Budget Office, attending budget briefings and hearings (held all day, every day, from October 15th to October 22nd), and listening to the comments and suggestions that so many 49th Ward residents have shared by e-mail and phone. THE BENCH COMMENT: Moore wrote, "For most of October, my legislative life has..." Huh? Shouldn't he have left out the word "has" in that sentence? The report was emailed out on Tuesday, November 6. So either Moore is still high on the pain killers from his recent backyard defingering or he has a very poor command of the English language. Or, maybe, he wrote this about a week ago and just got around to sending it yesterday? But the actual budget vote is still at least one week away-- tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, November 13th. In the meantime, a more routine City Council meeting was held on Wednesday, October 31st, where the main business was the approval of resolutions and commendations, as well as new appointments. As is sometimes the case, the pre-and post-meeting activities were of greater substance. Before the meeting, SEIU Local 880 held a press conference along with Aldermen Ed Smith (28th), Denise Dixon (24th), and myself, to call on the City's Purchasing Department to deny future funding to a large for-profit home care agency, Family Home Service, which has a history of poor senior care and bad labor practices. Needless to say, when the well- being of seniors and workers are both endangered by a single cause, it is time to take action and challenge the source of the problem. THE BENCH COMMENT: The SEIU had dozens of outsiders in the 49th Ward campaigning for Moore in the last election cycle. The Bench has photos of several of them violating polling place rules. Moore is deeply indebted to the SEIU and this probably influenced his reaction to this situation. At the conclusion of its meeting, the City Council held a public hearing, in which members of the public were invited to offer their opinions about the proposed budget. This is the only time of year when the public is invited to testify before the full Council committee meetings. Approximately 35 speakers signed up to testify, with some also answering multiple questions from aldermen. Among those speaking were the president of the Civic Federation (against any new taxes, for more privatization), a Wrigleyville bar owner (explaining how increasing the liquor tax could hurt small businesses like hers), and many speakers on behalf of the Chicago Public Library (fearing that library funding would be imperiled if the property tax is not increased). THE BENCH COMMENT: Will Mr. Moore ask Harold Washington Public Library to stay open past 5:00 p.m. on weekdays so that working stiffs might be able to use it? The issues of taxes vs. services, waste vs. efficiency, and out- sourcing vs. city jobs are complex and not well-served by simplified blog-like arguments. I voiced three concerns at the public hearing: 1. I find it unfair that the libraries are being singled out in the tax debate. Ten years ago, the libraries were successful in obtaining a dedicated source of funding through the property tax, which has helped them tremendously to expand (including the construction of our own Rogers Park branch). It is simply wrong to put them on the front lines of the current fight, and I would propose that if the property tax proposal is scaled back, the burden should not fall on the libraries. 2. Privatization is not a panacea for budget woes. We have all seen with such City scandals like "Hired Truck," where private companies, especially when they are politically connected and poorly supervised, are far more costly to taxpayers than operations staffed by City workers. THE BENCH COMMENT: Privatization is not a panacea when it is supervised by corrupt public officials. The "Hired Truck" scandals stem from government officials, elected and otherwise, allowing and encouraging the corruption. 3. I've said it before, but it bears repeating: It is imperative that the Inspector General receive adequate funding and staff to carry out his mandate, not only to address corruption, but to address waste and inefficiencies in the departments. THE BENCH COMMENT: Joe Moore, like most of his colleagues on the Council, is full of crap. If he really meant this, he would call for the City Council to overturn its rule that prohibits the Chicago's Inspector General from investigating Aldermen. Pretty hypocritical, huh? Already, the hearings, the discussions, and the input from city residents are remolding the final budget. Just yesterday, Mayor Daley and his City Council allies introduced revised tax and budget proposals (reducing most of the initial proposed tax increases, including the property tax), as well as restricting new hiring, adding unpaid furlough days for City workers, and eliminating vacancies. Unfortunately, the City is also proposing delaying much needed new services, such as a six-month wait before the blue-cart recycling program is allowed to expand to additional wards, including the 49th Ward. THE BENCH COMMENT: "Much needed?" The blue-cart recycling program, which is a big cluster boondoggle, is "much needed?" Is Joe Moore kidding? Or is he correct to assume that you're really that stupid? Again, the issues are not simple and the answers not easy. I promise to keep you informed as the budget process continues. The next City Council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, November 7th, at 10 a.m. THE BENCH COMMENT: Hey, Mister Moore, why not propose that the meetings be at 7:00 p.m., so we working stiffs can attend? Many cities do that. Why not Chicago? Sincerely, Joe Moore