Complaining about Trib Endorsements could take up all of my time, but this one in particular seems bizarre and disconnected from reality. Admittedly, it’s a weird field and picking is tough, but they didn’t pick anyone in the Dem primary so why here?
Let’s remember that a big portion of Gidwitz’s role in public life is as part owner of the Evergreen Terrace development in Joliet as well as primary partner in the management company that oversees it.
Let’s remember what Peter Fitzgerald said about the development
Recounting an Oct. 9 tour, Fitzgerald argued in a letter sent to Martinez late Tuesday that the city of Joliet should be allowed to redevelop the property and place residents in better and safer living arrangements.
“In my opinion, the living conditions at Evergreen Terrace are inhumane,” the Illinois Republican said.
Fitzgerald said was overpowered by the smell of urine, saw exposed wiring and broken elevators, mail boxes and door locks, and heard from residents about problems ranging from rodents to rampant crime and drug traffic.
Evergreen Terrace is publicly subsidized and this has been going on for years. Making one’s position on Bob Kjellander more important than being a publicliy funded slumlord has to make one wonder what the hell the Trib’s editorial board is thinking.
Perhaps more frightening is that I’m agreeing with Joe Birkett who takes the issue on strongly during the Lite Guv debate on At Issue (see 3-5 broadcast). Rauschenberger attempts to argue that it is all under investigation and then invokes Peter Fitzgerald as his role model. Funny, but Peter Fitzgerald stood up for the people of Evergreen Terrace.