Comments on: Latin School Land Grab http://glpdfa.wordpress.com Grassroots democracy for the greater Lincoln Park community Wed, 08 Oct 2008 02:38:02 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Barbuna http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-20 Barbuna Fri, 14 Dec 2007 04:25:23 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-20 It would be nice if my own children could represent the US in soccer, but ... oh, yeah. I forgot. My children are going to a PUBLIC school nearby with no soccer field. Oh. And, quite a few people of color (including my own), Mr. Burzynski, will also attend that school. I dare say more than attend Latin. Honestly, how is it possible to call racism when we're taking about OPENING up public land for people of ALL color, rather than closing it to anyone but the wealthy. So, please, find another argument at the very least. By the way, there are a great many of us who do equate turning green parklands into plastic synthetic turf fields with paving it over. I'm sure most people reading this blog would see the similarities. But, in the end, it is exactly this OPEN discussion that we are asking for. If it is "just a soccer field," how is it that so many have strong opinions about it. Shouldn't everyone be heard before a deal is struck affecting so many? Just a thought. It would be nice if my own children could represent the US in soccer, but … oh, yeah. I forgot. My children are going to a PUBLIC school nearby with no soccer field. Oh. And, quite a few people of color (including my own), Mr. Burzynski, will also attend that school. I dare say more than attend Latin.

Honestly, how is it possible to call racism when we’re taking about OPENING up public land for people of ALL color, rather than closing it to anyone but the wealthy. So, please, find another argument at the very least.

By the way, there are a great many of us who do equate turning green parklands into plastic synthetic turf fields with paving it over. I’m sure most people reading this blog would see the similarities.

But, in the end, it is exactly this OPEN discussion that we are asking for. If it is “just a soccer field,” how is it that so many have strong opinions about it. Shouldn’t everyone be heard before a deal is struck affecting so many?

Just a thought.

]]> By: ahmad burzynski http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-19 ahmad burzynski Thu, 13 Dec 2007 23:37:32 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-19 Maybe Ms. Kass can hurl feces at that other elite institute of higher learning that occupies public parkland---the Art Institute. Oh, I forgot, her fellow gadfly Tom Tresser teaches there so she apparently discriminates in her poop-throwing as well. Maybe Ms. Kass can represent the US in the 2016 games in the Dung-toss???? Nice legacy that you are leaving. Maybe Ms. Kass can hurl feces at that other elite institute of higher learning that occupies public parkland—the Art Institute. Oh, I forgot, her fellow gadfly Tom Tresser teaches there so she apparently discriminates in her poop-throwing as well. Maybe Ms. Kass can represent the US in the 2016 games in the Dung-toss???? Nice legacy that you are leaving.

]]> By: elaine steinberg http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-17 elaine steinberg Thu, 13 Dec 2007 15:11:20 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-17 How embarrasing it must be for a self-righteous group of do-gooding peackniks to have an elederly grandmother so obsessed with this issue that she threw feces at Latin School as a member of its group. Just goes to show you that you people have alternative motives. Do you really expect us tho think that Karen Kass was so moved by the "public/private" debate that she decided that throwing feces at a place were children are educated was her only communicative outlet??? Really folks. We are talking about a soccer field here--not paving Lincoln Park for a parking lot or strip mall. Do we really need to hurl feces at an institution of learning? Ms. Kass should be ashamed of herself, further proving that there are deeper feelings here that people are admitting. Racism maybe, as Ahmad has suggested???? You are all a bunch of hacks. How embarrasing it must be for a self-righteous group of do-gooding peackniks to have an elederly grandmother so obsessed with this issue that she threw feces at Latin School as a member of its group. Just goes to show you that you people have alternative motives. Do you really expect us tho think that Karen Kass was so moved by the “public/private” debate that she decided that throwing feces at a place were children are educated was her only communicative outlet??? Really folks. We are talking about a soccer field here–not paving Lincoln Park for a parking lot or strip mall. Do we really need to hurl feces at an institution of learning? Ms. Kass should be ashamed of herself, further proving that there are deeper feelings here that people are admitting. Racism maybe, as Ahmad has suggested???? You are all a bunch of hacks.

]]> By: elaine steinberg http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-16 elaine steinberg Thu, 13 Dec 2007 13:06:10 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-16 How embarrasing it must be for a self-righteous group of do-gooding peackniks to have an elederly grandmother so obsessed with this issue that she threw feces at Latin School as a member of its group. Just goes to show you that you people have alternative motives. Do you really expect us tho think that Karen Kass was so moved by the "public/private" debate that she decided that throwing feces at a place were children are educated was her only communicative outlet??? you are all sick and using this for you own interests as ive suggested all along> Ahmad is right--you are racists!!!! How embarrasing it must be for a self-righteous group of do-gooding peackniks to have an elederly grandmother so obsessed with this issue that she threw feces at Latin School as a member of its group. Just goes to show you that you people have alternative motives. Do you really expect us tho think that Karen Kass was so moved by the “public/private” debate that she decided that throwing feces at a place were children are educated was her only communicative outlet??? you are all sick and using this for you own interests as ive suggested all along> Ahmad is right–you are racists!!!!

]]> By: elaine steinberg http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-14 elaine steinberg Sun, 09 Dec 2007 20:25:05 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-14 well, in the spirit of democracy--you do print dissenting comments and that i respect. However, three more points and i will go back to anonymity. 1. If you people were really concerned about the general public using the field, you would appreciate the fact that, as park officials have stated, because Latin is subsidizing the field here, two more can be built elsewhere next year. So clearly the public is benefitting. 2. If you look at the Park District budget on-line, not only does the Art Institute--which you are affiliated with--occupy Grant Park, they get a $3M annually subsidy from the taxpayers. 3. Finally, Felicia Dechter is the epitomy of "lazy journalism." It does not escape me that she has been is the chain of e-mails from the beginning and her Dec. 7 story in the Skyline was taken directly from this web-site and those e-mails, without any counterpoint whatsoever. As a small business owner that advertises in the Skyline, i am appalled and will be pulling my business on Monday. Good Day and Happy Holidays!!!!! well, in the spirit of democracy–you do print dissenting comments and that i respect. However, three more points and i will go back to anonymity.
1. If you people were really concerned about the general public using the field, you would appreciate the fact that, as park officials have stated, because Latin is subsidizing the field here, two more can be built elsewhere next year. So clearly the public is benefitting.
2. If you look at the Park District budget on-line, not only does the Art Institute–which you are affiliated with–occupy Grant Park, they get a $3M annually subsidy from the taxpayers.
3. Finally, Felicia Dechter is the epitomy of “lazy journalism.” It does not escape me that she has been is the chain of e-mails from the beginning and her Dec. 7 story in the Skyline was taken directly from this web-site and those e-mails, without any counterpoint whatsoever. As a small business owner that advertises in the Skyline, i am appalled and will be pulling my business on Monday.

Good Day and Happy Holidays!!!!!

]]> By: glpdfa http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-13 glpdfa Sun, 09 Dec 2007 19:39:27 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-13 Wow - this is getting personal. What has my teaching work to do with the bad public policy issues raised by the private and secret deal done between the Latin School and the Chicago Park District? The Art Institute is indeed a private institution that was grandfathered into the lake front protection ordinance and remains the only structure on the in the park east side of Michigan Avenue along the downtown area. The controversy surrounding the proposed siting of the Children's Museum raised the same policy issues. I also teach at Loyola and DePaul. None of those institutions are perfect and should they enter into bad agreements along the lines of what has happened in Lincoln Park, I'll be there front and center pointing them out. By the way, I've been fighting for open government, citizen involvement in local government and more public access to arts and cultural resources for my entire career in Chicago (came here in 1980). Now, if you feel Irma is making too much money, that's entirely your affair and has nothing to do with me or this controversy. I should point out, though, that if we want capable and experienced people running our nonprofits we should pay them well. Wow – this is getting personal. What has my teaching work to do with the bad public policy issues raised by the private and secret deal done between the Latin School and the Chicago Park District? The Art Institute is indeed a private institution that was grandfathered into the lake front protection ordinance and remains the only structure on the in the park east side of Michigan Avenue along the downtown area. The controversy surrounding the proposed siting of the Children’s Museum raised the same policy issues. I also teach at Loyola and DePaul. None of those institutions are perfect and should they enter into bad agreements along the lines of what has happened in Lincoln Park, I’ll be there front and center pointing them out. By the way, I’ve been fighting for open government, citizen involvement in local government and more public access to arts and cultural resources for my entire career in Chicago (came here in 1980). Now, if you feel Irma is making too much money, that’s entirely your affair and has nothing to do with me or this controversy. I should point out, though, that if we want capable and experienced people running our nonprofits we should pay them well.

]]> By: elaine steinberg http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-12 elaine steinberg Sat, 08 Dec 2007 23:14:37 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-12 What concerns me most about all of this nonsense is that everyone involved is using a soccer field to promote thier own personal agendas. The hypocracy is unbelievable. For example, I know you Tom Tresser. Ive met you at both the school of the Art Institute and at the Art Institute campus in grant park. and, isnt the Art Institue, where you are a teacher, "an elite private institution" that occupies prime public space in Grant Park???? And I am shocked at how much money Friends of the Park is paying Irma Tranter. If i had known she was making $120,000.00 per year, i would have kept all of my donations. What concerns me most about all of this nonsense is that everyone involved is using a soccer field to promote thier own personal agendas. The hypocracy is unbelievable. For example, I know you Tom Tresser. Ive met you at both the school of the Art Institute and at the Art Institute campus in grant park. and, isnt the Art Institue, where you are a teacher, “an elite private institution” that occupies prime public space in Grant Park???? And I am shocked at how much money Friends of the Park is paying Irma Tranter. If i had known she was making $120,000.00 per year, i would have kept all of my donations.

]]> By: Tom Tresser http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-11 Tom Tresser Sat, 08 Dec 2007 20:53:10 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-11 Ahmad - You are obviously upset - but upset about the wrong thing and at the wrong people. Your perception is incorrect. I am "old and white and upper crust" and couldn't care less who uses the park - as long as it is open and available to everyone. You totally fail to see our objection is based on the fact that Latin School did a secret deal with the Park District to build a facility that THEY will have almost exclusive use of in terms of when kids would want to use it. Under this deal there will be very little or no opportunity for kids from public schools - where we have our greatest diversity - to play. And this is for 10 years. You want to level charges of priveledge, exclusion and bad motives - please level them at the managers of the Park District and the Latin School who did this deal away from the public. Tom Ahmad -

You are obviously upset – but upset about the wrong thing and at the wrong people. Your perception is incorrect. I am “old and white and upper crust” and couldn’t care less who uses the park – as long as it is open and available to everyone. You totally fail to see our objection is based on the fact that Latin School did a secret deal with the Park District to build a facility that THEY will have almost exclusive use of in terms of when kids would want to use it. Under this deal there will be very little or no opportunity for kids from public schools – where we have our greatest diversity – to play. And this is for 10 years. You want to level charges of priveledge, exclusion and bad motives – please level them at the managers of the Park District and the Latin School who did this deal away from the public.

Tom

]]> By: ahmad burzynski http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-10 ahmad burzynski Sat, 08 Dec 2007 15:14:24 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-10 Why would Friends of the Park not want a soccer field in Lincoln Park? I know why--its because some FOTP donors like the [word deleted] Ms. Monahan and her group of out of touch harpies complained about "more traffic" being brought to Lincoln Park and more "undesireables" using the area after dark, under the lights to play soccer like at Montrose. And, i was going to join friends of the parks until i found out that the President of Friends makes $120,000.00 per year. That can buy a lot of trees. Check it out! you people are all fools that are being played. Why would Friends of the Park not want a soccer field in Lincoln Park? I know why–its because some FOTP donors like the [word deleted] Ms. Monahan and her group of out of touch harpies complained about “more traffic” being brought to Lincoln Park and more “undesireables” using the area after dark, under the lights to play soccer like at Montrose. And, i was going to join friends of the parks until i found out that the President of Friends makes $120,000.00 per year. That can buy a lot of trees. Check it out! you people are all fools that are being played.

]]> By: ahmad burzynski http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-9 ahmad burzynski Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:59:36 +0000 http://glpdfa.wordpress.com/latin-school-land-grab/#comment-9 Im sure you hypocrties wont post this: The bottom line is that all of you are racists; you dont want people of color in your "front yard" playing soccer. Look at the faces of the people that use the Montrose Field. We are African (from Sudan and Ethiopia), Mexico and South America and Eastern Europe. Ive been to some of the public hearings on this matter. You are all lilly white (except for that fool John-Paul), mostly old and "upper-crust." People like that hunchback woman that is obsessed with this issue dont want people like me and my friends playing in--what they consider thier park--after school hours and into the evening. You haters are making this about private/public and open space, but this is about one thing--Race!!!! Im sure you hypocrties wont post this:

The bottom line is that all of you are racists; you dont want people of color in your “front yard” playing soccer. Look at the faces of the people that use the Montrose Field. We are African (from Sudan and Ethiopia), Mexico and South America and Eastern Europe. Ive been to some of the public hearings on this matter. You are all lilly white (except for that fool John-Paul), mostly old and “upper-crust.” People like that hunchback woman that is obsessed with this issue dont want people like me and my friends playing in–what they consider thier park–after school hours and into the evening. You haters are making this about private/public and open space, but this is about one thing–Race!!!!

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