City in Crisis - Printable Version +- Waukegan Talk (http://wauktalk.com/forum) +-- Forum: Waukegan Talk (http://wauktalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=30) +--- Forum: Breaking News (http://wauktalk.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?fid=8) +--- Thread: City in Crisis (/showthread.php?tid=976)

City in Crisis - gmg77 - 05-21-2010 Anybody attend this? Any highlights the news Sun left out? Looks like things are only going to get worst. <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/news/2299550,5_1_WA21_WAUKEGAN_S1-100521.article">http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/news ... 21.article</a><!-- m --> State of Waukegan 'Reckless, unprofessional' path to crisis Mayor says he may invite federal investigation May 21, 2010 By DAN MORAN <!-- e --><a href="mailto:dmoran@stmedianetwork.com">dmoran@stmedianetwork.com</a><!-- e --> Reporting that "the state of the city is critical," Mayor Robert Sabonjian said Thursday that a mix of factors have contributed to Waukegan's economic crisis -- including individuals with financial oversight who "may have violated state and local laws." "Because of past practices and lack of effective legislative and management oversight, we are now struggling with the greatest financial crisis the city of Waukegan has ever faced," Sabonjian told a gathering of around 300 people at the Genesee Theatre for his first State of the City address. Adding that the city's expenses have outpaced revenues since 2003, Sabonjian said "reckless and unprofessional" methods led to larger deficits, and should be investigated. Sabonjian said either an internal investigation will be launched when funds become available, or federal authorities will be asked to determine "whether or not our dollars were handled in a legal fashion over the last 10 years." While not making specific accusations against anyone, Sabonjian did say that previous elected officials and financial staff members "should have been aware or sought out the knowledge" about such things as three years of municipal audits being up to 42 months late. Sabonjian did accuse past mayoral adminstrations and councils of allowing the city's tax levy to go down from 1999 to 2008 while expenses increased. "This was one of the areas where politics reared its ugly head," Sabonjian said, adding that this year's levy increase will likely be repeated over a three-year period because deficits have "forced us to play catch-up." At other points during a wide-ranging, 50-minute address, Sabonjian said alternative energy and green-technology initiatives will be sought as part of lakefront redevelopment; demolition is continuing at the vacant Outboard Marine Corp. site; city-owned land at Fountain Square of Waukegan will either be sold in one parcel or in pieces that could include space for another "large-scale retailer" and that "a major restaurant chain" is exploring an outlet downtown. On the entertainment front, Sabonjian said that funds toward a fesibility study for a Grand Prix-style race were among the budget cuts. "So as of now, that effort is effectively dead." He also confirmed that an informal "Scoop Unplugged" version of Scoop the Loop will take place on July 10. But the primary focus was on a financial crisis that has forced layoffs, longer shifts and unpaid days off for employees, and cuts in services. "I admit that the report I give you tonight is not filled with optimism, (but) while we may be down, we are not out," he said, calling on city employees and citizens to "share in the sacrifices it will take to ensure the survival of the great city of Waukegan." During a question-and-answer session following his speech, Sabonjian admitted to feeling frustration. "A lot of people have asked me, if I knew what I know now, would I have run for mayor? And I have to say, I probably wouldn't have," he said. "But we're in it, and we're in it together, and we'll get through it together." Re: City in Crisis - Danno - 05-21-2010 Bob's speech was masterful. Not one word was wasted... every word counted... no fluff. It's about time someone in an authority position had the balls to say what he said. Alderman Konkan sat motionless, no applause at the conclusion of the speech. He evidently did not like Sabonjian's honesty and criticism of all the corruption, dishonesty, cronyism and unprofessional crap that has been holding Waukegan down for years. A lot of developers didn't appreciate having to deal with that garbage, I know because I have heard them say so. I for one certainly hope the mayor follows through with a forensic audit. That would set our city more permanently on the right track. I think half of the audience was in shock at first. They were probably expecting a Mayor Hyde - Durkinista type speech... dripping with praise for all the "dedicated hard working staff".... "accentuate the positive" everything is rosy... it's a 30 year plan bullcrap filled, smiley face on a donkeys ass approach. Re: City in Crisis - ClassicalLib17 - 05-21-2010 Well said, Danno. Like you, I have long felt that we have been administered by incompetents and crooks. That list includes a former, long serving mayor. Re: City in Crisis - Scooby - 05-21-2010 DANNO YOU ARE THE MAN. YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH. i WILL KEEP THIS SHORT BECAUSE YOU SAID IT ALL. MAYOR BOB MY HATS OFF TO YOU, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK, YOU DON'T NEED TO SUGAR COAT ANYTHING. IT IS WHAT IT IS AND YOU TOOK THE FIRST STEP TO GETTING THINGS BACK ON TRACK. FOLLOW THROUGH WHAT YOU SAID, THOUGH IT'S A TOUGH ROAD AHEAD HOWEVER I TRUELY ADMIRE YOUR HONESTY AND CALLING OUT THE PREVIOUS ELECTED OFFICIALS. YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO MENTION THEIR NAMES. WE ALL KNOW WHO THEY ARE! Re: City in Crisis - believeinwaukegan - 05-22-2010 What I have found most revealing about the "State of Waukegan" are the post-speech reactions of a good number of our residents. The mayor lays out in the starkest, clearest terms that the city is teetering on the edge of financial catastrophe and points to conduct of prior administrations that he deems reckless, if not criminal. Yet for some, it's like the speech was never made. The minute the mayor stops talking, these people are once again all worked up about a comparatively small issue like whether liquor should be sold in gas station minimarts. This shortsightedness, this unwillingness to care about or inability to understand the big picture, is to me even more frightening than the financial numbers. Re: City in Crisis - ClassicalLib17 - 05-22-2010 Hey, they all work so-o-o well together on the important issues. If you are serious about cleaning house, hire me as an employment and efficiency consultant, give me the company checkbook, and I can guarantee I will turn some heads. You people seem to be afraid of firing familiar names. City government has been bloated with unqualified people, and after spending years at their positions, still don't get it; that's arrogance. Yes, it may appear I hunger for a pound of flabby, complacent city flesh, but I assure you, I will give them all the respect they deserve. Think about it; send me a pm Re: City in Crisis - gmg77 - 05-24-2010 Better late than never. But it's not going to be easy to get rid of corruption. Power seems to corrupt event those with the best intentions. Re: City in Crisis - gmg77 - 07-15-2010 <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oqJ6vRRl-0">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oqJ6vRRl-0</a><!-- m -->