Tuesday, June 20, 2006

* Special Service Area Scandal


Whenever I see this manager guy cleaning the sidewalk on North Broadway, I view this as a vote of no confidence for ALL the Special Service Area taxes in general. Here is a Special Service Area tax #19 and #24 maintenance manager. He's cleaning another special service area like a janitor.

When Mark Semon works in the boundaries of Special Service Area tax #8, Mr. Semon is one hard working sweeper. But then why not, it's morning and he's being paid privately. Maybe even under the table?

Notice he doesn't have to wear a silly chamber of commerce vest with the SSA number on it.

Isn't this like saying the janitors who work for food stamps don't really do a good job and the managers have to clean up after them in another district? Confused? It gets worse. Mr. Semon earns $20,000 dollars for each tax number 19 and 24. That's $40,000 dollars. As a second tier SSA manager. He has two managers above him. Still he double dips. Gina Carruso called this "bad" when she presented the Special Service Area tax #24 to the community in March and April of 2003 as a consultant with Carruso Consulting.

Now as our city's Special Service Area tax-main director, she turns her back on this activity and allows it to happen.

Look at this guy in the photograph, it's worse than double dipping. He's privately cleaning a portion of a sidewalk in another special service area. He never works this hard when he's working for Special Service Area tax #19 or #24. Just ask the neighbors.

2 comments:

Hugh said...

This is very odd.

Hugh said...

Just can't stop sweeping, I guess! When you're as dedicated as Semon, it's hard to turn it off. No chip bag is safe with this guy around.

I'd like to get back to better understanding what the heck a salaried employee of two of our SSAs is doing pushing broom in yet a 3rd SSA, but I thought I would post some notes I had on the permanent hole in the ground at Broadway and Granville.

Here's a link to an article from Inside:

Gateway to Loyola

Here's contact information for the developer:

William Platt, President and principal
ACCESS REALTY GROUP
3738 N. Southport
Chicago, IL 60613
email: billchicoi@aol.com
Contact Bill Platt
773-929-7320 for information

Other Platt companies:

PLATT CONSTRUCTION GROUP, INC.
BROADVILLE, LLC
BROADVILLE CONDOMINIUMS, LLC
BROADVILLE RETAIL, LLC

Whatever the big hold-up is, it's not a zoning change. Zoning was pushed through in January, 2004, two and a half years ago.

Somebody could do us all a favor and call Platt and ask whaddup and post back.

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