Jason Wilfong of Portage Park wrote to "Going Public" with an open letter "to Mayor Daley, the CTA, and the Olympic Committee":
"I have lived in Chicago for a little over two years, and I have debated over whether having the Olympics come here was a good idea or not, and the last few days have convinced me that getting the Olympics here is a TERRIBLE idea.
First, I went the Cubs game on Friday, and then had to run some errands later that evening. I waited for 35 minutes at Belmont for a Red Line train to go downtown. Thirty-five minutes on a Red Line train on a Friday night? Are you serious?
Second, on my morning commute into work yesterday the Brown Line had electrical problems, and my normal 50-minute commute turned into a 90-minute one.
How are problems like these going to be addressed if the Olympics comes here with this kind of unreliable service already?
Third, Mayor Daley assures us that the city will be able to pay for the Olympics, but yet he just forced a shut down of the city for one of his furlough days. If he can't keep the lights on now, how is he going to be able to do it on a global stage?"
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8 Comments
Joe001 said:
Jason, you have to remember one very important fact about Chicago's Olympic bid. If we do get the games, it won't be just Chicago hosting the Olympics, but also the United States of America. We'll have six years to prepare for it and there will likely be both federal funds and private money pouring in for improvements in security, transportation and other needed work--money that would not exist otherwise. Daley has argued often that hosting the Olympics would be a huge economic engine for Chicago and that this is why he is seeking it. Odds are you would see some major improvements in public transit if we win the bid. No city that hosts the games is ready at the time it applies; that's why the event is awarded so far in advance.
Jason Wilfong said:
No, I am very aware of the fact that we will receive federal dollars to help fund this, but I also know the federal government is not going to fund 100% of the bill, so it WILL fall on us, and frankly we can't afford it.
Look at the Redeye today (8/21), there are two articles in the paper today about the CTA delaying new Hybrid Buses and Mayor Daley is asking for more Stimulus money for the city. The city has already received a lot of money, now he has to go back for seconds? Sounds pretty wasteful to me.
CGT said:
The idea of the olympics coming to Chicago makes me sick. If you don't think about the day to day price you pay, it would be great, I'd love to show of our city to the world, and maybe it's selfish, but I just don't want to deal with the actual mega mess, our already messed up city will become.
Makes me wish the committee had come to evaluate us during the taste of Chicago, or seen what a mess the northside became as a result of the air and water show.
Joe001 said:
What is wasteful about it, Jason? The federal government is offering stimulus money and the city wants as much of it as possible. The fact that Chicago has gone back for more is not evidence that the original money was wasted; the news coverage on how it is being spent in fact makes it sound like it is being used for worthwhile projects. And none of this has anything to do with any Olympic money that might be forthcoming if Chicago wins the bid or how those funds might be used to make the transportation improvements you indicated are needed.
Joe001 said:
What is wasteful about it, Jason? The federal government is offering stimulus money and the city wants as much of it as possible. The fact that Chicago has gone back for more is not evidence that the original money was wasted; the news coverage on how it is being spent in fact makes it sound like it is being used for worthwhile projects. And none of this has anything to do with any Olympic money that might be forthcoming if Chicago wins the bid or how those funds might be used to make the transportation improvements you indicated are needed.
BerkeleyGirl said:
Here's an idea of the waste: http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-true-tif-tally/Content?oid=999808
TIFs are already robbing the coffers of Chicago's schools, parks, libraries, police/fire departments, you name it. Huberman just proposed raising property taxes to fund the CPS. Crazy as those same taxes are already being funneled into the pockets of developers.
As for the Feds, the government isn't exactly awash in $$$ these days. I'd like to think that there are more important things - i.e., health care, education - that need my tax dollars over Daley's Olympic dream.
As for transportation funding, Daley included no plans for such in the bid. He claims that the RTA (CTA/Metra/Pace) are fine as is. His only plans are for shuttles at transit stations to transport people to Olympic venues. Also, there will street/expressway lane closures to transport athletes/officials to venues in a timely manner.
Joe001 said:
BerkeleyGirl, you're raising other issues about the Olympics than the one under discussion: will Chicago have adequate mass transit if it gets the Olympics. TIFs are a whole other controversy. But on your list of more important federal priorities, I'd put "job creation" just as high and Daley believes getting the Olympics would create thousands of jobs for the six years of preparations. There are many thousands of Chicagoans who are desperate for jobs in this poor economy and are struggling to put food on the table and keep roofs over their heads. An influx of private and federal money to prepare for the Olympics might just be the economic boost Daley believes it will be. And this money simply won't exist for us if Chicago loses its bid.
Jason Wilfong said:
No, she is not, I am concerned about the overall effect that Mayor Daley's plan to bring the Olympics is going to have on the city. The trend for host cities is to LOSE money on the venture, not to make money. The city and if we are REALLY honest about it the entire state is on the verge of being bankrupt.
Hosting the Olympics anywhere is a bad idea, but having Chicago host now is an ESPECIALLY bad idea particularly in this economy.
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