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Many Chicagoians do not know Chicago provides support for the Chicago Firefighters with the Department of Water Management. The hydrant crew and the Sewer Divisions assisted to get the sewers open and fix the fire hydrants. Read this story by ABC Channel 7 News.
July 13, 2007 – A grandfather who suffered burns to his hands grabbed his grandson and left the building after the child started an extra-alarm fire playing with matches on Friday afternoon on the South Side. The blaze claimed the life of two dogs.
The fire, which broke out about 1 p.m. at 3644 S. Parnell Ave. and spread to 3642 and 3646 S. Parnell Ave., was mostly under control as of 2:25 p.m. after an extra alarm was called “for manpower” about 2 p.m., according to Fire Media Affairs Director Larry Langford.
The grandfather, who suffered burns on his hands when he tried to put out the fire, which started near some furniture, said he didn’t want to be taken to the hospital and crews were treating him on the scene, Langford said. He still may be hospitalized, Langford said.
The man was watching his four- or five-year-old grandson, who was in another room of the 3644 S. Parnell Ave. building, when the fire broke out. The man tried to put the fire out but “it got away from him” and he “did the right thing” when he grabbed the boy and ran out of the building so fire crews could take over, Langford said.
The boy. who was not hurt, later told his grandfather that he had been playing with matches.
Another man was being treated on the scene for smoke inhalation because he went inside one of the buildings to try to rescue three dogs, Langford said. Two dogs died on the scene and one was revived.
The building at 3642 has a grocery store and a deli on the first floor and residences on the second.
Also parents should quit smoking for their kids safety. Photo by Patrick McDonough.

Read these two articles to get a taste of how the Chicago System works. click here http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass11jul11,1,7747208.column?coll=chi-navrailnews-nav and click here: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/chi-kass13jul13,1,664723.column?coll=chi-navrailnews-nav These show if the Chicago Press bring attention to problems, problems are solved. Also, the second article is the way Daley and company treat Chicago City workers with no clout. Patrick McDonough

Read this Article, things stink to high heaven in Daley corrupt and clout infested Building Department.
City puts building fee hike on hold:
July 12, 2007
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter/ fspielman@suntimes.com
Two years ago, the City Council approved new building permit fees — tied to Mayor Daley’s 2006 budget — that were so high that Trump Tower’s tab alone would have jumped from $80,000 to nearly $1 million.
The construction industry raised the roof — so much so that the Jan. 1, 2006, effective date of the increases was pushed back repeatedly.
On Wednesday, the City Council’s Buildings Committee postponed the day of reckoning yet again — this time, until Jan. 1, 2008.
Even more important, aldermen were assured that the proposed increases will never take effect. Newly appointed Buildings Commissioner Richard Rodriguez plans to propose new rates that allow the city to recoup only the cost of processing permits and conducting inspections.
That wasn’t the case with the 2-year-old increases proposed by former Acting Construction and Permits Director Chris Bushell.
According to Buildings Committee Chairman Bernard Stone (50th), Bushell mistakenly copied building permit fees in New York, ignoring the legal limits imposed in Chicago. Now the first deputy in Construction and Permits, Bushell could not be reached for comment.
“We shouldn’t be losing money on handling permits. But, at the same time, we’re not supposed to be making money.”
Rodriguez said, “We’re just trying to make it more transparent. There’s no reason why taxpayers can’t go onto the Web site and calculate their own fees.”
Thanks Fran. Patrick McDonough

I recommend a tour that is actually worth the money. I asked everyone that went on this tour if they got their money’s worth. Every person had a big smile and had a blast. This is a picture of Kellye McGregor the Office Manager of this professional operation. It cost $70.00 for a three hour tour. This is money well spent, the equipment is in excellent condition, and all safety precautions are observed. Call 312-819-0186 or visit the website, click here, http://www.citysegwaytours.com Photo by Patrick McDonough.

I am happy to report the Summer House is now a completed project. In case you have been wondering why I have not been full bore on the Chicago Bad guys, I have been here. I am now ready to get down to business on all the Shakman Violations and we are getting ready to prepare for more shows staring Frank Avila, Jr., an American Hero.
Pictured are my sons. Do you like this house, I am proud of all the work I did to it. Photo by Patrick McDonough.

On July 8, 2007, the Chicago Department of Water Management responded to yet another open fire hydrant. All afternoon, we saw kids playing in the streets, and parents that allowed kids to laying in the curbs, to cool down. We need to remove the tires on the Fire Hydrant A.S.A.P. This is Bosley Park, part of the Chicago Park District. Some kids had opened the Fire Hydrants flooding and damaging the park. Neighbors were following me around with video cameras, and demanding why it took so long to turn the fire hydrant off. Some kids were verbally assaulting my crew, but we said nothing back and completed our tasks. We need to make open hydrants a top priority. Photo by Patrick McDonough.

Chicago Department of Water Management needs to find who is opening our Chicago fire hydrants. I suspect someone has the special hydrant key, opens the hydrant, and after the kids are done playing, the hydrant is left open, flooding the street. Make sure you call 911 if you see someone opening the Hydrants. Take pictures, write down the licence plates. We cannot waste water in this day and age. In one incident, we were verbally assaulted by some residents that said, “All the money has been spent on downtown”. “Where do our kids have to play’, said another man. I did not include the swear words. Three lady police officers came to our rescue. The damage was so bad to the fire hydrant, I could not turn it off. On a personal note, I agree with the anger of the south and west side kids that have no operational, safe park. I suggest all the Black and Hispanic parents, bring your kids to the rich areas of the city with nice parks, like Norwood Park, maybe that will get some attention to the parks in the blighted areas. I feel bad for the parents that feel the only option is to open a hydrant. But remember, the policies are determined at the ballot box, who did you vote for? Photo by Patrick McDonough

On July 8, 2007, some children from Mayor Daley’s 27th and State Projects, opened fire hydrants and splashed water into the cars passing by with open windows, immediately flooding the cars. When attempting to shut down these hydrants, I always attempt to shut down without an incident. This kid pictured, pulled out some “Grills”, put them on his front teeth, and sat on the hydrant. I called for the Chicago Police for back-up and the large crowd dispersed. This Chicago fire hydrant need a “Custodian” safety device to stop millions of gallons of wasted water. Work safe, Chicago Department of Water Management. Photo by Patrick McDonough.

On July 8, 2007, a young four year old was run over by a SUV. Please read this story, click here: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=5461888 Thank you ABC 7 Chicago for this important video. Many Chicago Children have been injured by open fire hydrants and the injuries are not reported because they are engaged in illegal activities. I was not surprised that many of the open fire hydrants did not have the “Custodian” devices that make it more difficult to turn the water on. I was part of the additional three crews added to help shut off the the fire hydrants in the central district alone. The City of Chicago Department of Water Management has downed the North and South District Hydrant Trucks, and in sworn testimony insisted the trucks were not needed. (More on this later) The condition on the fire hydrants in Chicago need to be addressed by a competent person. Photo by Patrick McDonough

Please be careful if you enter Mayor Daley’s Chicago Beaches. You could come down with diseases.
CHICAGO (AP) – Chicago officials lifted their beach closures today, after shutting down five city beaches because of high levels of E. coli bacteria found in the water.
So far this summer, there have been at least 14 closings at Chicago beaches. That’s compared with only three during the same period last year. The number of advisory alerts, which feature a yellow flag to indicate a higher risk of illness while still allowing beaches to stay open, has risen to 41 this year. That’s up from 25 last year.
Two beaches have swimming advisories today.
The four-fold increase this year in Chicago-area Lake Michigan beach closings has city officials and ecological experts puzzled.
A Chicago Park District spokeswoman says high temperatures, a few periods of excessive rain and sea gull waste may have contributed to the problem
Did you ever get the feeling Mayor Daley’s “Green” Eco-friendly policy is nothing but hog wash? Patrick McDonough.