Below is a couple of paragraphs in the Chicago Tribune editorial page today. Our Alderman isn't being straight with his people. Neither is the Chicago Park District. I bold highlighted some "key words to watch for".... This is the voice of the people? This is how we are treated? Our words and deeds mean nothing? This isn't the whole editorial, go out and buy the tribune and read for yourself the whole text. You decide who's making the community paranoid with words?
Growing demand in city's harbor system
Rob Rejman, Director, Lakefront Construction
Chicago Park District
Published November 4, 2005
The article "Harbor bid scuttled as residents protest; Chicago Park District decides mid-meeting on Rogers Park issue" (Metro, Oct. 21) is misleading to Chicago Tribune readers.
The article leads by saying that Chicago Park District officials in a community meeting at Loyola Park on Oct. 20 dropped "proposals for a harbor in Rogers Park," when, in fact, all ideas presented were diagrammatic, and proposals have not been made.
At this stage several locations have been examined and brought forward for community discussion, but none has been proposed--or, conversely, excluded--by the Chicago Park District.....
...... The Park District and many citywide civic organizations agree, however, that North Side marina opportunities may exist, in concert with other park improvements, and are worthy of future consideration.
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Letter to the editor
Growing demand in city's harbor system
Rob Rejman, Director, Lakefront Construction
Chicago Park District
Published November 4, 2005
The article "Harbor bid scuttled as residents protest; Chicago Park District decides mid-meeting on Rogers Park issue" (Metro, Oct. 21) is misleading to Chicago Tribune readers.
The article leads by saying that Chicago Park District officials in a community meeting at Loyola Park on Oct. 20 dropped "proposals for a harbor in Rogers Park," when, in fact, all ideas presented were diagrammatic, and proposals have not been made.
The Chicago Park District shared preliminary findings of a District Wide Harbor Study conducted by JJR LLC., with community residents in a series of meetings, including the meeting held in the Rogers Park neighborhood.
The JJR study has begun to examine ways to meet increasing demand in the harbor system, recognizing the vital role that harbors play for the health of the parks and the city at large.
At this stage several locations have been examined and brought forward for community discussion, but none has been proposed--or, conversely, excluded--by the Chicago Park District.
As indicated at that meeting, it is clear that any North Side harbor proposal would need to be developed in consultation with neighborhood, civic and environmental organizations, and within the context of a comprehensive north lakefront plan, addressing such issues as open space, ecology, access, beaches, trails and other recreational opportunities.
A comprehensive plan for the north lakefront is not within the scope of the current District Wide Harbor Study, and concept development for a North Side harbor has not been done at this time.
The Park District and many citywide civic organizations agree, however, that North Side marina opportunities may exist, in concert with other park improvements, and are worthy of future consideration.
Silly paranoid neighbors, they're not proposals, they're diagrams!
And no matter what you THINK you heard said, and repeated, no harbor site is off the table.
Rob Rejman was the master of ceremonies at the recent neighborhood meeting at the Loyola Park field house regarding harbor expansion. I hesitate to describe him as the "main speaker" since he hired a consultant to speak for him and the only thing he himself said was "not my department' over and over in response to residents comments on the Park system.
Mr. Rejman writes to correct misconceptions that might have arisen from reading the Tribune's coverage of the meeting, which reported that:
"Chicago Park District officials said Thursday they were dropping proposals for a harbor in Rogers Park." ("Harbor bid scuttled as residents protest," 11/21/05)
Mr. Rejman expresses concern that Tribune readers may have been misled, but where is his concern for the attendees at his meeting?
My philologically-bent neighbors will no doubt enjoy Mr. Rejman's deft finessing of the distinction between a "proposal" and a "diagram." (Repeat after me: THERE IS NO PROPOSAL.)
What a weasel.
That editorial makes this statement made by our Alderman after the meeting all the more interesting:
"Dear 49th Ward Neighbor:
I am pleased to report that the Chicago Park District has decided to permanently shelve a proposal to construct a marina on Rogers Park and Edgewater's lakefront. The decision came Thursday night at a packed community meeting at the Loyola Park Field House."
Anyone have this in written/letter form?
Good point Dan. Sounds a little too definite doesn't it?
As for the proposal vs. diagram thing, well yes, I guess the Offical Project Guide to Proposals does make a distinction between pre-proposal planning and an actual proposal, but he must know full well that the general public make no such distinction.
oh, the art of slippery language. actually, i'm impressed. so many men, being purposefully misleading, and not one of them has used the same phrase twice.rejman only confirmed what most of us knew that night at Loyola. we are going to be dealing with this issue for quite a while. don't let it ruin your weekend.
how truly irritating! and you know pissing off the community is a really good strategy-right.
> ...this statement made by our Alderman ...
> "I am pleased to report that the Chicago Park District has decided to permanently shelve a proposal to construct a marina on Rogers Park and Edgewater's lakefront."
>Anyone have this in written/letter form?
It's still on the splash page of his web site:
http://www.ward49.com/
Make a copy quick before it goes away.
Hey Rob,
The Loyola Pheonix got it wrong, too!
Don't forget to write to them.
People might be misled.
Rogers Park sinks marina proposal
By Emily Lange, Published: Wednesday, October 26, 2005
" ... the Chicago Park District planning team took the microphone and announced it was pulling the Edgewater location as one of the possible sites ... "
That damned press! Always misleading people.
Hey Rob,
Don't forget to write to the Chicago Reader.
They got it wrong, TOO!
What is with the press in this town? I tell ya, it's a conspiracy!
The Works, By Ben Joravsky, OCTOBER 28, 2005
...Rejman took the microphone and announced that the Park District was killing the marina “We cannot build all of theseharbors,” he told the audience. “We proposed more options than we needed on purpose. This particular proposal as part of the planning process is off.”
That caught people off guard. “Say that again,” someone called out.
He repeated his statement, adding that the Park District had scheduled the public hearings to see which sites people thought were best. And since there was so much opposition to the one at Devon, it was dead.
hey people- i need some help- does anyone remember what moore said when he grabbed the mike? i remember "this harbor proposal is off the table" i'm writing a piece, is that accurate?
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