07-05-2010, 12:58 PM
ClassicalLib17 Wrote:My neighborhood is like a war zone again this year, in spite of the City government's proclamation of zero tolerance. I rode my bike to Sheridan Road and saw one unmarked unit at the corner of Grand and Sheridan, who then took off north on Sheridan. In case anyone is wondering where our police are, I have been informed that there is a grand total of 12 policemen on duty for one of the worst nights of the year. That boils down to 1.22 police per ward. Good going, Mayor Sabonjian and City council; keep up the good work. I hope all you proud Waukeganites invited your family and friends to Waukegan to enjoy our wonderful 4th of July. And just imagine, Alderman Needham thinks we need to think about spending precious taxpayer dollars to move all the railroad tracks down on the lakefront. Excuse me, I think I'm going to throw up now.
I was at a wonderful 4th of July party at Waukegan's Lakefront from 2pm till after midnight. Our group had people from all parts of Lake County and Kenosha and even a guest from The Netherlands. From my perspective it was without a doubt the best place to be in all of Lake County. The area around Siver Park was packed with a very culturally diverse crowd and I saw no trouble.
The rail tracks need to be moved. About 10 years ago Kenosha's mayor, John Antaramian, was a guest at a city council meeting. (I probably have it on video tape somewhere). I asked him if, in light of the departure of industry from the Waukegan lakefront, he thyought a shift to recreational and residential use was a good direction to go. His answer was of course it would be good to shift in that direction but the railyards would constitute a deterrent to developement. Back then NO ONE was talking about residential development at the lakefront. There is no doubt that residential - commercial developers are turned off by the rail yards. Also the rail yards are something that the city is empowered to deal with as opposed to Azko Nobel or National Gypsum which they have little control over. That aside the development of the lakefront is absolutely essential to elevating Waukegan. Why anyone would not see that is the real puzzle.