*-> Lies and Half-Truths From Kevin Cosgrove

{ Start drum roll please. Note to readers: Use your Monster Truck Commercial Announcer voice }
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls of all ages. You are in for a treat.

Who says no-one reads the Hell Hole? November is the "Broken Heart" of Rogers Park's First Anniversary.
{Cheer's from the crowd as Red, white and blue balloons fall from ceiling}

Don't let the blood pressure rise too high. Sit back and enjoy. We have some raw, nearly un-edited wording (only two words) from the main puppet of them all. Alderman Moore's GO-TO-GUY. The highest paid man on Alderman Moore's staff. In his off time he can be found sitting in the Heartland Cafe as the Legal Notarizer for the 49th Ward Democratic committee, headed by David Fagus.

{ Read slow - then pick up speed at the end for climax effect, still using the monster truck announcer voice. Repeat a couple of times until you get it right }
He's Chief of Staff in the 49th Ward of the City of Chicago - Mr. Kevin Cosgrove!!! {Wild applause}

I tend to avoid this blog site due to the multitude of lies and half-truths I usually find, and the impact that it has on my blood pressure. I fell compelled, however, to respond to the posting by Margo Hackett.

I never issued a blanket statement that "more condos and less rental housing was a good thing."

During the course of a twenty minute conversation in which I mentioned personally being a 16+ year renter in the 49th Ward, and pointed to numerous things the Alderman's Office has done to preserve and improve the rental stock in the community, I said that in some situations condo conversions could be beneficial to portions of the neighborhood. I stand by that statement. We need to view things with a general guiding principal, but be ready to look at proposals/projects on a case-by-case basis.

We did talk about Tax Credits, but the building I referenced was the former Van Dorn Building at the northeast corner of Sheridan and Rogers -- Margot's notes must have gotten jumbled on that one (come to think of it, I don't think she took any?). The Van Dorn suffered from years of little or no maintenance. It also served as a focal point for much of the crime in that area (before some of you get up in arms, there were many good people living there as well). I worked closely with the new owners to secure Class 9 monies to rehab the building in exchange for renting to individuals with below-median incomes. The change at that premises is amazing.

The Northpoint (very plural Margot) buildings were indeed part of our conversation. I mentioned the Alderman and I lobbying banks to invest millions of dollars to rehab and preserve that important rental housing in the 49th Ward. We also worked to make sure management was involved with Community Policing, and that they properly screen tenants.

In all fairness to Margot, I did mention issues with Fran Tobin. Fran and I have had our differences over the years. In all fairness to me, she should have mentioned that I was very complimentary of Fran and RPCAN and the many things they have and continue to accomplish in our community.

This morning (Saturday) I'll be attending the Rogers Park Section 8 Tenant's Council Meeting. I didn't call to find out, but am guessing that Fran will be in attendance -- yet I still plan to attend -- hmmmm.

I told Margot that I thought she and her fellow renters were in good hands with Fran and Mr. Bernstein, and I thought, gave her some good advice about the current situation in her building.

It's ludicrous at best to imply that the Alderman and I are unwilling to "reach out" and work with individual tenants. Those of you who call the Ward Office know that I do return calls and am willing to meet with people, sometimes even without an appointment (as was the case with Margot)!

Unfortunately it's not possible to attend every community meeting. Lots of meetings go with the job -- I'm fine with that (I have three tommorow), but the Alderman and his staff need some time for personal lives. I asked Margot to keep me posted on any new developments and very clearly offered to call the developer to apply pressure if it might prove helpful. I guess I thought that was reaching out?

Margot didn't ask me for "resources from our level to help." She asked for a listing of all Tax Credit, CPAN, LIHTC, etc. housing in the Ward and of everything we've done to preserve rental housing -- affordable and market rate -- in the community. Ubnfortunately I don't have such a list. It's a lot of data, and comes from various sources.

I also read her request as asking for a broad position paper from the Alderman on these topics, and promised to relay her request to him -- which I did. It is important that people understand Aldermanic Offices don't have major control over the vast majority of condominium conversions in the City of Chicago.

Pleae allow me to state very clearly, "the Alderman and I are more than willing to work with tenants on an individual or group basis." I thought that was precisely what I was doing with Ms. Hackett? We keep the office open until 700pm on Wednesdays to allow people time to get back to the neighborhood from work, and the office is open for 45 hours each week. The Alderman and his staff also host and attend many weeknight community meetings that begin after 700pm.

Let me apologize in advance as I'm certain that my rather long posting will generate further postings/attacks, but I don't plan on posting further. I felt Margot's posting deserved follow-up, but really don't like to use this blog as a personal forum -- I feel that doing so lends legitimacy to some of the more outrageous things that are posted.

As always, I can be reached at the Alderman's Office (773/338-5796).

Kevin Cosgrove
49th Ward Chief of Staff

Blogmaster notes. How about that. Kevin Cosgrove made the Hell Hole folks. Good ole Kevin's "goin' be famous", as one of his fellow 49th ward democratic party members said once before.

So, it's the end of this portion of the show. Now the fun part begins with the comments that can be made about the lies and half truths from Kevin Cosgrove. But be warned. For the real over the top... suck up to the Alderman and his staff comments... comments we will no doubt get from the like's of Charlie D. and Michael C. or K. Those comments will be deleted from now on. Save those suck up comments for your own website guys. This is the Hell Hole. Meunderstand on the other hand, you can leave your suck up to the Alderman comments all you want. I will allow it.