Comments ( 10 )

• Without addressing the culpability of my neighbors (something I have no clue about, but wouldn’t be surprised), I will say that two separate sets of friends who moved into Bridgeport Village had their moves delayed by over a year because of developer/builder problems. One couple experienced 18 month delays–so much that they actually rented a house on Parnell so that their kids could start going to the same school they’d be at after the Bridgeport Village construction was finished.

  Also, as an aside, I have to confess that I’m clueless as to the general attraction of Bridgeport Village. You can get new construction SFHs in “nicer” parts of Bridgeport (read: east of Halsted and south of 31st) for just as cheap, and these have the added benefit of (1) being in the middle of a real neighborhood and (2) being within walking distance of restaurants, markets, public transportation and the baseball stadium. The only reason that I can think that someone would live in Bridgeport Village is that they wanted a nice, all-new development feel–but if that’s the case, there are plenty of places in the burbs where you can pay less and get more.

• Why doesn’t Snitzer just come out and say he’s got sour grapes? He does. He hopped into bed with these people and when things didn’t go the way he liked, he cried foul. To the Feds. I would bet the only poor behavior here – aside from Snitzer himself – is the “consultant” he agreed to pay a couple hundo to.

  I mean, really, do you actually think that people in the 11th Ward are going to shake somebody down, particularly with all the scrutiny by the Feds, Kass and the Sun-Times? Do you really think that John Daley and Tom Degnan need money? Do you really think that anyone in the Daley clan would allow the Alderman – James Balcer – to use his influence to get something for close to nothing, especially after former 11th Ward Alderman Pat Huels was disgraced 10 years ago this coming November? (And the Feds are still trying to reel him in, even after the statute of limitations has long since expired).

  Really, do you think think that they would try and shake someone down for favors or cash on something as transparent as a real estate deal? Think about it. And think about the fact that REYES PAID FULL PRICE. Think about the fact that the explanation of the alleged hierarchy was a one-sided allegation in an email between Sour Grapes Snitzer and his own cohorts. I can pretty much guarantee that he went out and threw offers their way without being shaken down.

  I really wish outsiders like him would stay North when they build. And speaking of outsiders, if the 11th Ward was shaking people down, wouldn’t people like Ranquist or Dubin be coming forward with allegations? Think about it.

  Sour Grapes Snitzer is the kind of guy who goes to Mexico, drinks the water, then complains when his stomach hurts.

• WC,

  first, the allegations here happened before the latest round of federal scrutiny……..or “scrootend” like da mare might say.

  Second, yes I believe some folks in the 11th Ward would shake down someone. Even stupidly in a transparent real estate deal. Look at Guitterez’s townhome purchase from Rezko.

  Third, Snitzer did bring on some of his problems by not pulling the correct permits for changes. That doesn’t mean there is not at least some truth to his other allegations.

  As for Degnan and John Daley needing money. If you noticed in one of the more recent rounds of federal indictments involving the State and hospitals almost all those indicted were filthy rich. Being rich doesn’t stop people from wanting more. That doesn’t mean Degnan and Daley are guilty of anything involving this… “being rich” is not a defense.

  As for Reyes paying full price that is great. Did he get any extras at no charge. Built out basement? Better cabinets etc.

  If you want to read a great perspective of a certain type of person read this.

  http://www.19thwardagenda.com/2006/12/01/bridgeport-and-the-ethos-of-corruption/

• Reyes is a greedy pig.

  John Daley and Tim Degnan–there is never enough.

  Snitzer probably just got mad, but he did accurately describe how the 11th ward works.
  The problem is that it doesn’t work well.

• IP,

  I stand by my word. Degnan/Daley do not shake people down, nor do they need to. That is not what they do. Do they play favorites? In the past, they have. But these days, they can’t. But they did not steal. Is it corruption? Of course. But there are a lot worse things I can think of happening to this city. One need only remember how bad things were after Daley I passed until probably the second term that this Dick Daley was in power.

  The Hired Truck thing is something entirely different. They’re a different class of guy. They are the nuts and bolts guys of the government, the people on the front lines. These are the people most prone to taking bribes for whatever. These are the guys described in the article on http://www.19thwardagenda.com. These are also the guys who muscle their way into things and put things like horse torsos in beds (which I’m surprised Snitzer didn’t allege).

  Snitzer and Sean Lowry are similar people (Lowery claims he doesn’t have any political ambitions). They were players in the game. When they lost the game, they cried foul. I’m not condoning the game. But if you play it, you need to take an earnest look at yourself in the mirror too.

  Now, let us ask how Snitzer got the deal in the first place? If things were so corrupt and cups of coffee in Bridgeport cost 10K, didn’t he have to make a few phone calls/grease a few wheels just to get to the table? I’m just asking.

• Also, Luis Guiterrez isn’t worth a sneeze. Aside from Hot Rod, he’s the smarmiest, opportunistic slimeball government. I’d rather go to a Whitey Bulger Lobster bake than stand within a four miles of that guy.

• The Hired Truck business did benefit Daley’s political operation through donations and jobs.

  As you said it can be corrupt without being illegal. I guess if you give someone ten thousand in cash it is corrupt. If you buy ten thousand dollars in tickets to a fundraiser it is legal………same thing ultimately.

  As for Snitzer he brought some of his woes on himself. I was at Bridgeport Village and the quality of the initial construction was appalling. I was told it got better.

  Do I find it beyond belief that certain “high level” Bridgeport types would seek “favors” for their friends……NOPE!

  Although I do agree with your contention that the “nuts and bolts” guys are more prone to taking bribes. The “high level” guys will just handle it differently with contracts or campaign contributions.

  My brother is a lower level manager in a public agency……..job he received because of da CLOUT. They had a guy hired from Bridgeport as a tradesman. FIRST, day on the job the new guy asked my brother how much he had to pay him not to come to work.

  My brother explained he didn’t play that game because he wasn’t going to risk his own job. The new hire lasted about a year before he managed to get a job in another agency…..presumably where he could pay someone not to work.

  It is amusing to hear my brother tell the story because the guy was of Irish descent, but tried to imitate a “New Yawk” Italian gangster.

  I do agree with you on Guiterrez. I still like the image John Kass paints of him with his little fists balled up in anger after the Rezko story broke.

• From everything I know, the integrity of everyone in the 11th Ward is beyond question.

• tj,

  Our spam filter doesn’t much like your screen name.

  It’s OK by us, but it may result in some of your comments being delayed or lost.

• Woodchuck,

  Sean Lowrey is a beaut. Never seen such spleen from a grown man. He’s doing just a bang-up job of alienating people from Somerville’s campaign that Ginger only needs to sit back and count the votes and worry about Tim Sheehan ( good guy!).