Dedicated to exposing the real story in Edgewater

PARKING SPACES ELIMINATED ON KENMORE/WINTHROP AT BRYN MAWR

In the past two weeks, a ton of metered parking spaces off of Bryn Mawr (at Winthrop and Kenmore) have been lost to a sidewalk expansion. While the intent of the sidewalk expansion was to make the area more pedestrian-friendly and walkable, the consequence is that local businesses - which range from a mom and pop framing company to Francesca's and Starbucks -, are likely to see sales affected. This was clearly not done with business owners in mind, and they are rightfully pissed off. Interestingly, the idea never made it before the block club, either and appears to have been the brainchild of one of the self proclaimed gate keepers of Bryn Mawr's "business district". At a minimum, the much ballyhooed community process was not observed (or perhaps it was, if you're a cynic). Editors note: At least 5 spaces were eliminated on Kenmore and 5 on Winthrop. This "enhancement" makes no sense.

CORRECTION: AT LEAST 17 SPACES REMOVED.......AND COUNTING!

From: Robert Sheridan
E-mail: bobbytuba@yahoo.com
Message:
Editors note: At least 5 spaces were eliminated on Kenmore and 5 on Winthrop. This "enhancement" makes no sense.

You don't count too well, do you? Or do you just not go out in the hood? As of yesterday 17 -- seventeen-- metered spaces have been removed and there is still equipment out there. Who knows what Ald. Mary Ann Smith is up to? Or the Edgewater Development Corporation.

Editors Note: Thanks for the update, and keep us posted. After all, given the low number of cars in the neighborhood, why would there be a need for parking spaces? Or maybe the EDC has come up with a new study that says parking spaces are bad for business. After all, EDC, ECC, the "Chamber" and of course the Bryn Mawr Task Force are all knowing. How dare their motivations and rationale be questioned!

BLOCK CLUBS, ORGANIZATIONS = INCESTUOUS RELATIONSHIP

I lived in Edgewater from 2003 until 2008 on Thorndale near Clark. I still own my condo and currently rent it out. I am a fan of the neighborhood, but was always frustrated by the incestuous relationships between all the organizations, block clubs, democratic commitees and the alderman, MAS. Since I wasn't part of the "club" they didn't care about my voice or I got the answer you have noted on the website - complain to your block club. With 64,000 citizens, we don't need 19 block clubs and 5 other miscellanous organizations. Too many voices and not enough leaders with a solid vision and long term strategy. And I am sorry, no national chains and no new liquor licenses is not a vision and strategy. So to my point - I would love to see a little paragraph or so on each block club and what the Edgewater Intelligencer things they do good or bad. Same with the Edgwater "organizations". And I would love to see, though this is much more ambitious, the connections between the block club leaders, the organizations and MAS or Moores offices. Keep up the good work.

ANOTHER COMMENT ABOUT THE EDGEWATER HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND THE ELITIST ACTIVISTS WHO ARE GETTING SUED

From: Henry Fruehauf
E-mail: hfruehauf@msn.com
Message:
I'm a long-time Edgewater resident and only recently learned about your site right after the Brigitta Riedel/Kraemer articles and newscasts appeared in the major media in late August, 2009. I don't like the fact that you all crave anonymity, but I understand it. I found your articles on her situation, throughout Edgewater and its miserable aldermen and organizers to be great and very thought-provoking. Do keep up the good work but, please, have someone proof-read the submissions of some of your more childish spellers and grammarians as they do and will take away from the impression of your work.

Oh, one or two other things which I forgot in writing to you previously. The very old, antiquated firehouse which became the "Edgewater Historial Society's" museum was far too old and small for a current firehouse and a super-sized, new one was built nearby, but that's another story. The "museum" created out of the old one looks nice, but who cares? No one, as long as the "Historical Society" got its wishes and its member, Thom Greene, to make some money in designing it? The huge number of city neighborhoods in Chicago do not need their own museums, this one has never been visited by me or any locals I know and outside tourists would be insane to waste a half or full day while in Chicago to visit such a surplus and silly, little place.

But do go further and tell us, please, what the City got from the "Society" to sell it. Tell us also whether and in what magnitude developer(s) had proposed to pay us taxpayers cold cash for the place and what they'd planned to build on it, all fully taxed, cutting our tax burdens and putting multiple owners and eyes on the street to watch for crime. Tell us, finally, what the museum has been paying in taxes since the acquisition and how much of "free-riding" that is costing local tax coffers since and for the life of a "museum to nothing". That would help make your job complete. Editors Note: Thank you for your incisive comments. We are researching the questions you have asked. Hopefully we will get some answers. In the meantime, please look at the latest IRS document filed by the Edgewater Historical Society. http://www.guidestar.org/FinDocuments/2005/363/635/2005-363635420-02b6f14c-9.pdf Look at their assets: virtually 100% in the value of the building they are in. If the elitist zealots go broke from defending themselves against the lawsuit, it stands to reason that the only asset available to them will be the building the society resides in. That will likely be sold to satisfy the legal bills of the zealots. Or Brigitta Riedel could be conveyed the building in lieu of payment. Either way, the historical society will be down the tubes, thanks to the zealots. And by the way, look at the list of directors of the society. You will see that the 4 getting sued are all directors. A big round of "thank you's" should go to them for seriously jeopardizing the society. I'm sure those that donated to it are absolutely thrilled that these 4 have so misappropriated it.

THE SORRY STATE OF THE GRANVILLE / BROADWAY BUSINESS STRIP August 11, 2009

This window at the cleaners on Granville has been busted out for at least one week! Shards of glass make it dangerous for kids, animals or adults who get near it. And what is more astounding is that the business is OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Where are you Mr. Cratty, President of the block club? Where are you Edgewater Chamber of Commerce? Too busy on more important issues? Editors Note: The window was finally replaced on September 2. Mr. Crattty, I'm sure you were the mover and the shaker behind it.

This is so typical of the uninformed cheerleaders for mediocrity and insider politics that is a stain, a plague on this community. Jessica, what precisely don't you like about the verbiage on this website? Is the neighborhood business strip populated by interesting businesses? Are the buildings and the empty storefronts in the strip classy, or decrepit? Do you think the block groups and self interest community groups do a good job? Do you think it is acceptable to take your money and other taxpayers money to finance restaurant and building redevelopment (but only those connected to the insiders)? And if so, please provide some examples. Do you think its ok for insiders to tell people how and to whom they should sell their property? But you Jessica can't explain it, justify it or rationalize it. And, so, you resort to name calling and calling people haters. No, Jessica, it is you who are a hater. Where is your well reasoned diaglogue?  Unfortunately Jessica, it is people like you who serve to perpetuate the state of this community. Shame on you. You should be outraged at what is going on here, but apparently you are not. Shame on you.

INSIGHT AND ANALYSIS FROM A CONCERNED LOCAL CITIZEN

Thanks Mike for your intelligent comment. Very substantive. And we really loved your articulate refutation of what we are saying. I wonder: why is it that people who can't intelligently form a rebuttal to a point of view always, and I do mean always, resort to this kind of response? It shows we are right on the money.  

COMPLIMENTS FROM THE AUTHOR OF A GREAT BLOG

Thank you for this great website. You and Lorraine Swanson publish the stories I wish I had unearthed. Keep digging and writing!

Laura Louzader

http://www.thenorthcoast.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for your nice words. We always appreciate someone who understands what we are trying to do. And now, read further to see what they have to say on the other side of the spectrum.

ANOTHER  COMMENT FROM A ZEALOUS DEFENDER OF THE STATUS QUO....brother

From: Jessica BFD
E-mail: jessica2010@yahoo.com
Message:
I didn't realize that ECC has more power than the Alderman's office. Problems with street pot holes, boy I would never call 311, Alderman Smith or Streets and San, no I would bitch about it on this web site by two guys who hide behind a computer and blame some organization in Edgewater. If you had such truths why don't you put your names behind your statements, cowards.

 

 Jessica, I note that you didn't have enough guts to include your full name, unless its BFD. How come? Instead of complaining about the absolute incompetence of the ECC, you say nothing. But you complain about the messenger who writes about a pothole on Sheridan Road that is causing major traffic backups, significant environmental pollution, needless increased travel times and fuel consumption for cars, for the past month. And apparently that pothole doesn't bother you at all....even though its been there for a month.  And you call us cowards? Come on lady. You say the ECC is blameless. Lets be honest: this operation trumpets environmental awareness, conservation and more every day, including its recently released Environmental Comprehensive Plan. Don't you think they should take the lead in getting an environmentally damaging pothole fixed? What the hell do these people do, other than trying to tell other people whats good for them? Yes, they should call the Alderman. Yes they should concentrate on failing infrastructure. Yes, they should be vigilant in insuring that the basics of this community are maintained. BUT THEY DON'T. Instead they worry about wind turbines on the lake. They worry about growing herbs on a rooftop. They worry about everything that may benefit them, period. BFD says it all. Aptly name

 

PRAISE FOR THE INTELLIGENCER: Dear Contributor, You Couln't be More Accurate!

 Thanks for your series of articles on the activities of the Edgewater Community Council. I am appalled at the role that the ECC is playing in promoting the outer drive extension and landfill, and in destroying small businesses whose owners aren't members of this private club. It looks like we have here in this city a largish "shadow" government, a government the citizens did not elect and that doesn't represent them but which they are forced to support, comprised of Chambers of Commerce, Community Councils, and Community Development Corporations. Between Rogers Park and Edgewater, I count 6 such organizations, including the newly formed Rogers Park Chamber of Commerce, which barely exists at this point and has perhaps a half dozen members.

These shadow bodies are funded by local taxes and are instrumental in steering development, and deciding what business shall live or die within their respective areas. I am curious to know just how many businesses in the areas served by ECC, Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, Edgewater Development Corp, Rogers Park Community Council, and DevCorp of Rogers Park have derived any benefits from any of these organizations, and if these entities do anything other than collect tax money, harass,obstruct, or deliberately destroy businesses whose owners aren't members of their club, and lobby for things the bulk of the citizenry is opposed to.

Do these organizations help a business succeed that otherwise would not? It seems to me that a business lives by the talent, effort, and capital input of its ownership, and no CC or Chamber can help you if you lack these things. All they can do is harass, obstruct, and destroy.

XXX RATED COMMENTS FROM A READER-----CAUTION, VERY GROSS AND IGNORANT, BUT VERY PREDICTABLE! when you have nothing else to say, here's what you do.

From: Suck Mahdick
E-mail: gofukurself@biteme.com
Message:
You people are idiots.