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This is a check signed by Mayor Daley for $20,000.00 to a person that had their Shakman rights violated. Make sure you have yours by now. Lots of my friends took what the City offered, I think they deserved much more. Thank you for signing the check Mayor Daley! It should have come out of your own personal pocket. In Chicago, we pay for the Mayor's sins. Patrick McDonough.
Protesters lined up outside Ryan Field to protest Mayor Daley at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Patrick Ryan has made millions of Chicago Taxpayers money with his insurance company. Billions of dollars flow from Chicago taxpayers to Mayor Daley's friends and cronies. This is money that should fuel the Chicago economy on the west and south side of Chicago. Mayor Daley was not welcomed in Evanston at all. The crowd was very chilly to this braggadocios Mayor. Daley told everyone what a big deal he is, making sure the kids knew he is the CEO of Chicago. Daley's speech was gibberish at best and was a sales event for the Chicago Olympics in 2016. Ryan and the Daley family will feast like pigs if that Olympic money maker ever hits Chicago. I hope the public knows Ryan has mighty power at Northwestern and the school's cash king paid Daley back with a commencement speech and lots of free vacations. Did you know Mayor Daley used taxpayer's money to send bomb sniffing dogs to scout out the Ryan Field? As I told you before, the fire at Mayor Daley's summerhouse was a hoax, and the powder sent to the Aldermen was also a hoax. The Chicago press never reported Chicago City Workers protesting outside the event, but the Evanston Police laughed mighty heartily. The two "Mayor Daley" midgets got lots of laughs at Daley's expense. Photo by Patrick McDonough.
chicagotribune.com
Daley finds NU graduates a tough crowd
After complaining about the selection of speaker, some consider his talk 'generic,' one he would give 'anywhere, anytime'
By Dan Mihalopoulos
Tribune reporter
10:47 PM CDT, June 20, 2008
Appearing unfazed by the campus controversy over his selection as commencement speaker, Mayor Richard Daley told Northwestern University graduates Friday evening that he would try "to impart some of what I've learned in pursuing a life's passion of public service."
Some students had complained that Daley's selection as speaker was a letdown after the university's president promised that an "extremely well-known person" would be coming to Evanston to address the Class of 2008.
Hewing closely to a prepared text, Daley made only faint reference to the tempest shortly after stepping up to the podium for his 15-minute speech.
"For those of you who still don't know me very well, I've been for the last 19 years the CEO of the city of Chicago, one of the most culturally rich, economically diverse, globally recognized cities on Earth," said the mayor, who was awarded an honorary doctorate in law. "With that as the foundation, I will do my best."
Graduates gave the mayor's talk mixed reviews.
"It was the most generic speech anybody could come up with," said Laila Chen, a political science graduate who grew up near the mayor's Bridgeport neighborhood. "None of it was directed to us. It was just about him selling himself, the city, the Olympics. He could have given that speech to anyone, anywhere, anytime--and he probably has."
Tyler Brandt, a computing graduate from Berkeley, Calif., said, "He spent a lot of time talking about what he had done and all the things that made him great and not so much time talking to us."
Indeed, it was the kind of talk he often gives to out-of-town visitors or on trips abroad. Daley highlighted his takeover of Chicago's public schools and his efforts to make Chicago "the most environmentally friendly city in the nation." He also spoke of the city's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Daley urged students to volunteer for the Olympic effort and look for other ways to serve the public.
Chelsea Lambert, a mathematics and English literature major from Vero Beach, Fla., may take him at his word. She said she is encouraged to volunteer, perhaps helping "underprivileged adults."
And Saad Qazi, a Chicagoan who received a master's in information systems, said he was happy to hear about the city's Olympic push. "I like Mayor Daley," he said. . "Actually, I came to this ceremony because he was here."
Daley closed by telling the students they can change the world, despite the gloomy outlook of society: "Don't let the cynics and skeptics discourage you. You can make a difference. In fact, we're counting on you."
I fixed up this photo to make it better. I got rid of the mole and fixed the ears. Good luck America. Enjoy this sexy photo of Chicago's Barack Obama. Patrick McDonough.
Make sure you join us at Northwestern University tomorrow to give Mayor Daley a reminder not everyone loves Mr. Potato Head. We are going to protest several of Mr. Daley's policies that makes all his family very wealthy. We are going to remind Mr. Richard Daley there are many poor in the west and south side of Chicago. Want to join us? We hope several people join us for the fun. I hope someone tells the Mayor of Chicago four more Shakman lawsuits will be presented to the Chicago Inspector General and the Law Department tomorrow. Nothing changes in Chicago but higher taxes. Photo improved by Patrick McDonough.
Ann Sather's is an excellent restaurant. I enjoy the eggs Benedict best. Do you know the Chicago Alderman that owns this eatery? Do you know the Alderman that he replaced? Clout is a funny thing in Chicago, just try and keep it if you can! Photo of Patrick and David McDonough. I would say the 2008 "Midsommarfest" was fun and I had a good time. Andersonville is a great town in and of itself. It was a great way to spend my Father's Day. I hope you spent yours with your family and not gambling at the boat! Patrick McDonough.
I enjoy any store that sells monkeys. Brass monkeys, cloth monkeys, painted monkeys. Every kind of monkey is for sale except a real monkey. This store is located in Andersonville, in Chicago's 48th Ward. Pictured with my children is Bernie Superfine, the owner, Head Monkey, and Janitor. The Monkey Galley is located at 5238 North Clark Chicago, Illinois 60640. Phone number is 773-738-2248. You can e-mail Bernie at: nerd5050@aol.com He also makes custom made jewelry. Photo by Patrick McDonough
My Children enjoyed the Chicago Andersonville Fest called "Midsommarfest". Yes it is spelled that way. One of the highlights was the lessons learned on bike safety. The two ambassadors from Mayor Daley's Safety in Motion were very professional and courteous. They took the time to teach my kids bike safety. I suggest you take their advice and get helmets for your kids. They suggested Working Bikes on Western Avenue in Chicago. They said the prices are reasonable. My problem with this program is the shameless use of taxpayer's money to promote Mayor Daley. That goon has a big ego for a little guy! Bike safe Chicago! Photo by Patrick McDonough
June 14, 2008. The Chain O' Lakes in Lake County is an absolute mess. I took my kids to an area that is a launch site off Route 12. The gas pumps are almost under and many people do not have access to their boats. My sons are happy we boat in Wisconsin. The Politics are a disaster in Illinois, and the boating is not much better. We looked to help people sandbagging, but could not find anyone. This is a disaster. Pictured are Patrick, Davis, and Michael McDonough. Photo by Patrick McDonough.
Patrick D. McDonough has entered his first professional photo contest. I brought my best pictures. I won best in landscape and best overall. I won over some of the best photographers in Midwest. This was shot with my Nikon professional series equipment. It will be published in a journal soon. Not bad for my first professional contest! Photo by Patrick McDonough.
Michael McGann is a favorite at Chicago Clout. The Chicago Clout website has attempted to help as many municipal workers as possible. Today was a very long day for Michael McGann and his group of supporters. The North side of Chicago and the South side stepped to the plate for Chicago's most famous plumbing inspector. Kids demand clean water in Chicago. Chicago should not punish city workers that want to make sure the drinking water in the less affluent sections of Chicago get the same clean water as those yuppies downtown. If Chicago is to remain a "Green City", than the water should not have e-coli or fecal matter in our children's drinking supply. I am proud of these young kids that drink Chicago water fighting for what is right. These are the McGann and McDonough children. We would also like to thank the Smith, Martinez, and Bernstein kids for supporting Inspector McGann. Michael McGann blew the whistle on bad water and plumbing at the Jose De Diego School in Chicago, now his bosses are mad. Frank Avila Jr. is McGann's attorney at this hearing. I am glad the Chicago kids want clean water. Also at the hearing was Charles Walker, a former Inspector that should get his job back soon. Read an article by Fran Spielman, see below. Photo by Patrick McDonough
November 30, 2007
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter fspielman@suntimes.com
An $85,068-a-year city plumbing inspector who uncovered "two pages worth" of building code violations that left 1,100 children at Jose de Diego Community Academy without water for weeks is facing disciplinary acton for faxing a copy of his inspection report to the school's principal.
Michael McGann, a 14-year inspector assigned to the city's Department of Buildings, said he gave the Oct. 24 report to de Diego principal Alice Vera so she could use the information to try to expedite repairs that had languished for weeks, endangering students at the 116-year-old school at 1313 N. Claremont.
He can't believe he's being punished for it, simply because the embarrassing story of his bosses' bureaucratic bungling -- that prompted the school's 14 water fountains to be taped shut for weeks -- ended up in the Nov. 23 Sun-Times, with a copy of the inspection report posted on the newspaper's Web site.
The report contained two pages of code violations with "dead-ends everywhere ... uncirculated distribution lines that connected to and endangered" the integrity of the drinking water system, McGann said. It was faxed to Vera earlier this month.
"It's a disgrace. They're being exposed for not doing their job and, because I'm the one who made the inspection, they're trying to make me the fall guy, the scapegoat," said McGann, 52. "They should have processed the violation notice immediately . . . . Instead, they sat on it and did nothing."
Water reportedly back on
He added, "The principal was frustrated. . . . Nothing was happening. . . . She called me and we kept in communication. . . . It had gone weeks without any word from any of my superiors about getting the water back on in the building so the water was safe for the children. So, I sent her my report so she would know the severity of the violations and how they were to be resolved. . . . My motive was to protect the health and safety of the children of the school."
Buildings Department spokesman Bill McCaffrey said McGann faces disciplinary action -- to be determined after hearings that got under way Thursday -- for violating internal rules that prohibit preliminary inspection reports from being shared with outsiders until approved by higher-ups. "Inspection reports are subject to review by immediate supervisors and chiefs. Until the report is approved, it is still a draft document. Once it's finalized, it can be distributed outside the department," he said.
Vera could not be reached for comment.
Last week, de Diego officials told the Sun-Times they had been instructed to ration water since Sept. 14, when a water main broke outside the school in the Humboldt Park/Wicker Park area. That meant giving students as little as a half a glass of water a day for eleven weeks straight.
According to McCaffrey, the water was turned back on at de Diego on Monday after new "check valves that prevent water from flowing backwards through the system" were installed to remedy concerns about "dead-end piping."
The school is also planning to take other steps to "remove some of the pipes that just end," he said.
Sounds like whistleblower retaliation, and I know whistleblower retaliation.
But remember, dead ends must be removed, check valves do not correct dead ends, Patrick McDonough.
Photo by Jean Lachat, Patrick McDonough
I hope when you pay your tax bill my fellow Chicagoans, you make sure to thank Mayor Daley and all the Chicago Politicians for providing City Workers to fill space at the Olympic rally. Mayor Daley wants the Olympics so bad he is willing to provide city workers so he can look like he is a big player. Of course many of the City Workers know Mayor Daley is breaking the rules that forbid politics on city time. I think the bosses that asked their underlings to participate in the Obama-Mayor Daley victory dance should be fired. The Inspector General was notified before as union workers were ordered to attend rallies with Rod Blagojevich and Mayor Daley. Many people were also not aware the courthouse at the rally encouraged many trials to shut down early because of safety concerns with Barack Obama. Daley does have power and clout, but asking trials in progress to shut down early? Please read Mark Browns take on the rally. Mayor Daley is very short, how tall is he? Obama is at least a foot taller that Daley, right? (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast) . Patrick McDonough
Olympic fervor: From Beijing to Daley Plaza
Chicago and China might not be as far apart as we think
June 8, 2008Recommend (3)
BY MARK BROWN Sun-Times Columnist
A local radio station was carrying a network news story Friday morning about organizers for the Beijing Olympics trying to instruct the Chinese people on how to cheer properly during the upcoming Summer Games, including what to chant and how to clap.
The story was told from a predictable, but understandable, point of view along the lines of: Look at what those crazy, authoritarian commies are up to now; they even dictate how to show enthusiasm.
» Click to enlarge image Sun-Times columnist Mark Brown
Then, the station switched to its local news report, during which it later happened to mention Mayor Daley was back from Athens and would be attending a big pep rally at Daley Plaza to celebrate Chicago making the cut to remain in competition to host the 2016 Olympic Games.
And I thought, hmmm. Let's go see.
Does a city-orchestrated "pep rally" in the middle of the government office complex during the lunch hour have anything in common with the outpouring of support for, say, the Bulls in Grant Park after those championship runs of the Michael Jordan era, or is it more akin to what you'll see in Beijing this summer?
I suppose the question gives away my presupposed notion of the answer.
Obama packs them in
While I don't doubt that a majority of Chicagoans (me included) want to see the Olympics come here, as long as it doesn't cost them more in taxes, it's not as if they can hardly contain their excitement over making the list of four finalists.
I was already on my way out the door when an editor told me there was talk Barack Obama might be there, too. Now, that IS a way to fill a city block with people in a hurry.
Sure enough, half those who came to Daley Plaza were there to see Obama, which I deduce from the fact that half left as soon as he finished talking.
There's no way of quantifying how many of the rest were like the woman from the city's Department of Aging who told Sun-Times reporter Andrew Herrmann that workers in her office had been "invited" to attend by supervisors who "wanted a good crowd" there in support of the Olympics.
But it was apparent City Hall had stacked the deck as much as possible, even before enlisting Obama's star power.
Obama allowed as to how his own attendance was all very last-minute after he was "invited," too, his apparent willingness to jump at the mayor's request, benign as it was, doing little to dissuade those who argue the presidential hopeful is a Daley creation.
When Obama later helped unveil the new city Olympic logo, which replaced the words "Applicant City" with "Candidate City" in keeping with the anal-retentive International Olympic Committee rules, there was no indication anybody in charge saw the irony in this new designation for the hometown of the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Subtle message to IOC
Certainly, it can't hurt Chicago's Olympic bid to convey the perception that this candidate for president is eager to help the mayor's effort in any way he can, part of our fully-integrated city.
When I say fully integrated, though, I don't mean that in a racial context -- which I leave to your own powers of observation -- but in terms of management control. International Olympic officials can have full confidence that this city's mayor has complete and total power to get the job done. Everything is wired.
This was demonstrated in a subtle, yet instructive way, by one of the main speakers for the event, Smita Shah, who chairs the city's Delhi Sister Cities Committee. The Sister Cities group was already celebrating its annual festival in Daley Plaza, which made it a perfect backdrop for the "impromptu" Olympics chest-thumping.
Dressed in traditional Indian garb, Shah could have easily been mistaken as just part of the local color demonstrating the city's diversity.
But she also happens to be the founder of an engineering firm that does loads of city business and contributes heavily to Democratic political candidates. Her father, Niranjan Shah, is an even bigger donor through his engineering company.
No. 1 in political game
Smita Shah is a supporter of Obama and was named to the Platform Committee for this year's Democratic National Convention. She also was a big donor to Gov. Blagojevich, who put her on the Illinois Arts Council.
The mayor put her on the city's Plan Commission, where last month she delivered one of the votes to allow the Children's Museum to make its controversial move to Grant Park -- as Daley wishes.
I don't know about those other Olympic contenders, but in this city we've got all our bases covered.
Oh, I forgot to mention that when Obama was introduced, the folks in Daley Plaza started a cheer:
"Yes, we can. Yes, we can."
Unlike those Chinese control freaks, I'm sure it was totally spontaneous.
Obama shows up for 2016 games rally
(http://www.southtownstar.com/news/993081,060708oly.article)
June 7, 2008
By Andrew Herrmann, Sun-Times News Group
He called his book "The Audacity of Hope."
On Friday, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama was just audacious, telling a Loop rally that he was looking forward to ''wrapping up my second term as president'' by opening the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Chicago.
At a Daley Center Plaza event to mark the city's being named a finalist to host the games, Obama noted that his home is only a few blocks from the site of the proposed Olympic Stadium in Washington Park.
"In the interest of full disclosure, I have to let you know that in 2016, I'll be wrapping up my second term as president. So I can't think of a better way than to be marching into Washington Park alongside Mayor Daley ... as president of the United States and announcing to the world, 'Let the games begin,' '' Obama said.
On a day that a CNN poll showed Obama leading the Republican presidential candidate, U.S. Sen. John McCain, 47 percent to 43 percent, he also compared himself to the first place White Sox and Cubs.
"Your senator, he's winning, too," Obama said, sparking wild cheers from a crowd that filled much of the plaza.
Obama said his stop at the rally was a last-minute decision. Back home to rest after a tough fight to win the Democratic nomination, he has no public appearances on his schedule this weekend.
Joining Daley and other dignitaries, including Olympic gold medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Obama said an Olympics here would be "a capstone of the success we've had during the past couple of decades in transforming Chicago into not just becoming a great American city but a great world city.''
Daley called the other 2016 finalists, Tokyo; Madrid, Spain and Rio de Janeiro "tough competition,'' but said, "what we have here is a spirit.''
The crowd included many city and county workers. One city employee said her department was "invited" to the rally by supervisors who "wanted a good crowd.''
Dianne McCollough, a lawyer with the Cook County state's attorney's office, said she came on her own. An Olympics here would "show the world something positive about Chicago,'' she said.
"So much (news coverage is of) violence and CTA trains derailing,'' McCollough said, adding that an Olympics "shows people at their best.''
In Athens on Friday, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said heads of state will be allowed to help candidate cities make their final pitch.
Obama filmed a greeting for Chicago's Olympic team in the early stages of the bid but called on President Bush to consider boycotting the opening ceremonies in Beijing in protest about Tibet.