Posted on 06/01/2012 2:28:46 PM PDT by Olog-hai
An influential alderman warned Metra’s executive director on Thursday that “people are going to get hurt” if the commuter rail agency fails to bolster minority participation on a $133-million South Side railroad bridge known as the “Englewood Flyover.”
Ald. Anthony Beale (9th), chairman of the City Council’s Transportation Committee, did not explain who he believed would “get hurt” or who the perpetrators might be. But, he was clearly referring to civil disobedience or maybe even violence at the construction site.
“I’m trying to help you help yourself. When I say that, problems could arise. When you look at a community like Englewood [that] is challenged and you have over $1 billion of work coming through and there’s no people of color working on that project, I’m afraid people are going to get hurt,” Beale told Clifford during Thursday’s committee hearing.
“When you look at the make-up of the community—when you look at the unemployment rate … in that particular community, it’s probably 35, almost 40 percent. … To have a contract come like this in the African-American community with less than one percent minority participation is an insult.”
Clifford said he “respects and appreciates” Beale’s point. But, he also stood his ground, arguing that Metra has “not done anything wrong” and “followed federal statutes to the letter.”
As required by federal law, Metra established a 25 percent benchmark for “disadvantaged business enterprises,” a category that includes any business with an annual net worth that does not exceed $1.32 million, Clifford said. That means small businesses as well as those owned by minorities and women. …
(Excerpt) Read more at suntimes.com ...
You should drive through his Precinct sometime. I have. All those shootings you hear about in Chicago on those lovely summer weekends? 70% of them happen there.
You’re safer in Khandahar on a Saturday night than you are in Englewood.
Sounds like Beale really cares deeply about his constituents, right?
They don't care that the things aren't needed. They want those union dues and campaign contributions.
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