Obama's $100,000 Garden Grant Wasted

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | July 11, 2008 | Chris Fusco and Dave McKinney

[Free ThinkerNY]

He vowed to 'work tirelessly' to build an oasis for Englewood. It never happened.

As a state senator, Barack Obama gave $100,000 in state money to a campaign volunteer who failed to deliver on a plan to create a botanic garden in one of Chicago's most blighted neighborhoods.

Obama -- who was running for Congress when he announced the project in 2000 -- said the green space in Englewood would build ''a sense of neighborhood pride."

Instead, what was supposed to be a six-block stretch of trees and paths is now a field of unfulfilled dreams, strewn with weeds, garbage and broken pavement.

[Free ThinkerNY]

[Liberty 275]

Who needs a garden when you can afford cocaine?

[norwaypinesavage]

This is a clear example of a bad decision by someone with no executive experience.

[The Worthless Miracle]

I’m that park in the ghetto would have been real nice to visit...

[Ratblaster]

Obama is an expert on gardens, after all, a convicted felon owns his garden.

[purpleraine]

Another great use of taxpayer money.

Is there anyone with an IQ of 90 or above who doesn't know that if the "neighborhood" wants a community garden, they'll get it done through seed and labor donations. We have one of these thriving near us. City land was going unused. No public funds. City can reclaim or use the land differently at any time. Better yet, get a private party.

OB just got caught sloughing money to a flack who snorted it all up.

[monkeycard]

...Obama gave $100,000 in state money to a campaign volunteer who failed to deliver...

That's a lot of money going to one person. Sounds to me like Kenny B. Smith [aka a "campaign volunteer"] is working a little scam here.

[TornadoAlley3]

http://www.borderfirereport.net/carolyn-hileman/it-will-be-our-turn-to-turn-the-screws.html

[A message]

Obama -- who was running for Congress when he announced the project in 2000 -- said the green space in Englewood would build ''a sense of neighborhood pride."

Instead, what was supposed to be a six-block stretch of trees and paths is now a field of unfulfilled dreams, strewn with weeds, garbage and broken pavement.

Ah, another great Obama accomplishment.

[freespirited]

Instead, what was supposed to be a six-block stretch of trees and paths is now a field of unfulfilled dreams, strewn with weeds, garbage and broken pavement. Kenny B. Smith, whose nonprofit group got the money, said it was spent legitimately, mostly on underground site preparation. But he admitted Thursday that the garden is a lost cause because other government money never came through.

"We were underfunded."

Seems to me I have heard that excuse before.

[kittymyrib]

This would make a good campaign ad...his glowing promise of an “oasis” in the slum that his good friend Tony Rezco was collecting money from, and the junky place it still is after the $100,000 grant was fraudulently taken.
Is this what all of Obama’s promises are like?

[SeVeReD]

All he’s ever promised is hope and change, and this is a perfect example of how he can’t accomplish either.

[SC Swamp Fox]

..spent....mostly on underground site preparation.

What in the hell is that?

[DAVEY CROCKETT]

ping

[IM2MAD]

Wait til you see some of the afordable housing his slum landlord friends were and are responsible for at Grove Parc. (”parc” is not a typo). Here’s a link for a pigeon-eye view.

http://directorblue.blogspot.com/2008/07/photo-gallery-results-of-obamas.html

[IM2MAD]

afordable = affordable

[nw_arizona_granny]

Bump.