MAYOR DALEY BOWS AT BENTOVILE ALTAR…?
So, Chicago mayor Richard M. Daley’s minions made the pilgrimage to Bentonville, Arkansas to huddle with Walmart functionaries and lay their scheme on how best to break the Chicago-Don’t-Want-No-Wal-Jobs jam. Good luck with that.
From the Chicago Sun-Times:
Sources said two of Mayor Daley’s top political operatives — former chief of staff Lori Healey and former campaign manager Terry Peterson — recently traveled to Wal-Mart’s Bentonville, Ark., headquarters to huddle with company officials about legislative strategy. That might be a sign that Daley is behind the Pullman push.
Two months ago, Finance Committee Chairman Edward M. Burke (14th) tried and failed to tie a stalled Chatham Wal-Mart at 83rd and Stewart to a requirement that retailers with more than 50 employees that benefit “directly or indirectly” from city subsidies pay a “living wage” of at least $11.03-an-hour.
Barring an unforeseen wage deal between Wal-Mart and organized labor, Burke has told colleagues he has no intention of moving the Chatham Wal-Mart. He doesn’t want to risk alienating union support he needs.
Not ironically, Tax Day looks to be the next event.
This is just my opinion but I hope that the people down town are reading and listening!!! I’ve read in the March 26th Sun-Times paper on page 18 that Mayor Daley sent two of his very close soldiers down to Wal-mart headquarters in Ark. to lobby Wal-mart for Anthony Beale’s 9th Ward Mega project between 103rd and 111th along the Bishop Ford, that will cost hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up because of contaminated soil there!!!
I’m not saying that it’s not a good ideal to build out there, but why spend hundreds of millions of dollars on a clean up project, when the city spent hundreds of millions to clean up 83rd and Stewart for the same reason Wal-mart.
Now Wal-mart already committed themselves to Chatham Mall at 83rd and Stewart and have been fighting to build there since Alderman Howard Brookins has became Alderman of the biggest and one of Chicago’s powerful wards, 21st Ward.
I’m a member of Howard Brookins’ Organizations and a member of West Chatham Improvement Association, a block Club President, a Little league Coach, A member of Illinois Black Democrats, (a new organization formed by a few friends and myself), and among other things a Community Activist. I’ve also worked as a Pct. Captain for one of the people that went to Bentonville, Ark. for Mayor Daley, (Terry Peterson).
Here it is a man that represented this same community and know what Wal-mart would bring to a community he once call his home, will go and represent the Mayor and lobby for Anthony Beale’s (9) Ward and forget the people of West Chatham, Gresham, Englewood and other community that would gain from Wal-mart honoring their commitment to come to Stewart first.
I just want to say this to the elected officials that we will remember when it’s time to start knocking on doors, and getting the people to vote the way (WE) want them to vote Mr Mayor!!!!!!! Yes I Support Wal-mart at 83rd Stewart St. at Chatham Mall!!!!!!!!!!
Shalom Alphonse,
First, than you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to share your views. We build our community in the same way you build yours, with our conversations.
Chicago, like most other urban environments suffers from a long list of challenges. I cannot say that Walmart is even a remotely appropriate solution for any of those.
B’shalom,
Jeff
Shalom Alphonse,
First, than you for stopping in, for reading and, most importantly, for taking the time to share your views. We build our community in the same way you build yours, with our conversations.
Chicago, like most other urban environments suffers from a long list of challenges. I cannot say that Walmart is even a remotely appropriate solution for any of those.
B’shalom,
Jeff