We know DevCorp North follows the site. We know they keep track of what's going on? Heck, once and a while they even join in on softball issues. Some problems have been solved. The Broken Heart of Rogers Park and the neighbors are very grateful.
This issue how-ever hasn't been solved yet.
It was called "Questions for my new neighor"?
This story was posted on December 5th, 2004. Yes, 2004. If this story was about bread, it would be moldy by now? But this story is about the new janitors office on Morse Avenue.
With over 2 dozens questions in the story.... Maybe Ms. Bares got totally confused? I can accept that.
I will narrow it down to less than 10 questions this blog.
Here is a little background on the story. Cobblers Mall at 1328 W. Morse Avenue, a property owner that was listed as one of *seven "oral testifiers" for the Special Service Area tax #24 at the downtown public hearing September 26th, 2003.
Recently the owner/SSA commissioner, we will call her Mary sold the property and made a nice chuck of money. But before Mary sold the property, this Special Service Area commissioner named Mary got a little extra/extra.
Extra Special Snow Shoveling
Extra Special Sidewalk Cleaning
Extra Special Window Cleaning
The other poor property owners along the SSA route just didn't get this type of extra Special taxpayer funded Service.
So now, let's move ahead. Ms. Bares rams this SSA tax increase though with Alderman Moore's blessing. But Ms. Bares has a slight problem now.
Ms. Bares most likely gets tired of the new janitors she has hired. Paying the workers in food stamps doesn't bother her, but the cat-calling she gets from these workers is driving her raving mad... and had to stop.
Kim wants them out of her sight, sending them to Morse Avenue Hell Hole.
But there are by-laws and rules to do anything with SSA money. Were they followed to the letter of the law?
These questions today deal with securing the janitors office itself on short notice. See someone makes money on rent.
Did all nine SSA #24 commissioners vote on this location?
Did the one who had a vested interest excuse herself from the vote?
Why was this location chosen?
How much did this office space cost in total rent for the 10 months it was open? And 10 months is a stretch because it was closed most of the time.
Where did the funding coming from?
Who made the money?
It's not on the Special Service Area #24 budget line item for 2005.
* Footnote.
Twenty-seven total people, some not even with in it's boundaries were able to pass this extra special tax. Despite the fact 51% by law was needed to get this tax approved. That would mean DevCorp North would have needed to secure 100 property owners and 300 renters to pass this Special Service Area tax. When Kimberly Bares sent out the 200 or so notices, she said they only got " 3 back ". She orally testified. There are over 200 property owners in the SSA #24 area and she received three back. Three out of 200. Was notices sent to any of the 600 renters Ms. Bares?
Well, Ms. Bares, got the answers this time around?
30 comments:
anyone know what the plans are for the Cobblers Mall?
Sure, but I was asked to keep it on the down-low for a bit.
I can say the idea sounds like an excellent deal for the neighborhood if the plan goes into effect. Living directly behind this property, I am going to follow the entire process closely.
Craig - I think you mean the "low-down" not the "down-low"!
(Edit of my previous comment)
Oh my.. Craig keeping something on the "down-low"?
{satire} He must be one of the silent investors in the new proposed mixed use residential/commercial development propsed for the site. That at some point prior to construction will be converted into an all residential midrise with a starting price of $375K with a total of 8 parking spots. In return for his investment in the project, Craig will be receiving one of the units and two of the parking spots. {/satire}
And as far as notifying renters... we all know the law requires notification of property owners, not residents. So please Craig ({satire} unless your new development intends to follow your notification ideal {/satire}), quit pretending otherwise.
Attorney Westgard proclaims.....>"No one in their right mind would respond to Craig, when the questions are asked this way - as he well knows".
Craig cross-examines....> If there is nothing to hide, the questions should be answered with-out any problems. If DevCorp North is hiding something, then I would expect them not to answer in fear of incriminating themselves.
Craig posts, "If there is nothing to hide, the questions should be answered with-out any problems. If DevCorp North is hiding something, then I would expect them not to answer in fear of incriminating themselves."
Of course, they could provide a response but do you really think they would bother considering the forum? Those who post reasonable explanations here in rebuttal to accusations are usually met with skepticism at best and often simply insulted and called liars.
Thomas, Craig posted about the SSA and Cobbler's Mall and you replied with a comment about Craig. Your comment had no news or content or opinion regarding the SSA. Sure you're not trying to change to subject? Craig might be a good topic for your own blog.
Hugh said, "Your comment had no news or content or opinion regarding the SSA."
And your's did?
;)
krystal said "This is about the second or third time that you've invited Michael K to post on his own blog rather than this one. "
Second or third? It seems like Hugh's favorite thing to do is to post comments on Craig's blog about how everybody else needs to get their own blog.
10 questions asked, 14 replies, 0 answers ...
Were these or any other questions submitted in a respectful manner to Miss Bares or any other DevCorp administrator? Are they expected to read Craig's blog during the workday (I can see the scandal posting now) and answer all the questions or perhaps read the blog on their free time and dedicate personal time to answering the questions?
Good point about the Hellhole flyers...you guys taped your flyers OVER the Ward flyers for the Morse street scape meeting. Did not appreciate that at all.
However, the strategy worked, since one of my neighbors pried them apart and posted both on our building bulletin board...I still think it's a cheesy move though.
DevCorp is not going to answer these kinds of questions whether they are respectfully asked or not. Why should they?
If this community wants to get to the bottom of DevCorp here is my suggestion - hire a lawyer expert in 501c3 law and a tax accountant specialized in non-profits and let them look into it. As far as I can tell from this site, no one who posts here has these qualifications and no one has been hired to do this work.
Then, if there seems to be a case that can be substantiated, call the DA or AG's office and try to get a meeting.
If there is something I want to know about it, but if there is nothing, I want to stop talking about it.
Anyone up for this plan?
Thanks for that, just the facts. Very enlightening.
Nico's Mom,
You know I am. Unfortunatley, I am not wealthy and cannot pay people to investigate. Also, I am not so well connected that I can call in favors to investigate. However, their are public agencies like the IRS who are responisible for these things and if they didn't find anything fishy why should we believe people without these qualifications making assumtions about them?
I'd also like to point out the title of this posting, " * Special Service Area # 24 Scandal". Why would anyone answer questions when the outcome is obviously predetermined?
> ... the burden is on the opponents to vote AGAINST it:
> ... A signed petition by 51% of electors and 51% of property owners
you're cool with that? seem reasonable to you?
> ... what apparently happened is that there was no opposition against it.
Did you every try to get 51% of the registered voters in a given area to sign a petition?
Did you every try to FIND 51% of the property owners in a given area?
Thanks for your contribution, refering us to a web page written by a professinal SSA consultant, posted on a web site of a SSA recipient, for our facts on SSAs.
Gina Caruso who currently works for the City running around setting up new property tax increases
Nico's mom said....> "I want to stop talking about it."
So does Alderman Moore and his political friend Ms. Bares.
But here in the hell hole, until Ms. Bares comes clean, we will continue to talk about it.
If Ms. Bares can't answer, Ms. Bares needs to step-down?
Craig, that is pretty silly attack...so I'm buddy, buddy with these guys simply because I want to see if there is any substance under the smoke? I doubt even your fevered imagination could really believe that I was trying to say we should stop talking if there is indeed something worth talking about...
Michael K., I doubt any of us are wealthy enough to fund such a project, but there might be other ways - barter, pro buono...as for favors, let's see what emerges.
As for the IRS, I think it is unlikely that they would mount a case from the ground up simply based on neighborhood speculation - they don't have the resources (unless the non-profit is taking some kind of active stand against Bush Administration policy; in that case they often come out guns a-blazing...) That is why I suggested it would be good to do all the ground work possible.
>If Ms. Bares can't answer, Ms. Bares needs to step-down
Craig,
You don't answer the questions of anyone who questions you. Why should anyone answer your questions?
Hugh said, "Thanks for your contribution, refering us to a web page written by a professinal SSA consultant, posted on a web site of a SSA recipient, for our facts on SSAs."
Homer said, "In case you couldn't tell, I was being sarcastic."
If you really want truly unbiased, objective facts about SSAs, read the fine print at http://tinyurl.com/d7wx5
> ... the burden is on the opponents to vote AGAINST it:
> ... A signed petition by 51% of electors and 51% of property owners
this is the democracy we're exporting at gun-point?
> ... the burden is on the opponents to vote AGAINST it:
> ... A signed petition by 51% of electors and 51% of property owners
Gathering signatures on a petition is not voting. I thought you had to master some basic civics before you can graduate high school in this country.
Hugh,
I'll agree that this is not the best way to make decisions. All people in the area SHOULD have had a vote in this. The reality is that it is not currently required. Why is that? Who lobbied for the current language on the books?
Some people seem to think SSAs are a good idea and in some cases they seem to work. As with many projects that folks have tried so far, I think this was a project that the hood just wasn't ready for yet. Too many dirtbags are still out there busting things up and vandalizing every nice thing people try and put in.
> ... the burden is on the opponents to vote AGAINST it:
> ... A signed petition by 51% of electors AND 51% of property owners
No one has ever done this. No one ever will. It is impossible. This process is unprecedented in Illinois law. The only reason this clause is in the law is so that business interests and the elected officials they sponsor can claim, "See? There's a process" as they raise property taxes. No one with their head out of their ass could claim it is a democratic process.
Post a Comment