Posted on 09/10/2009 12:41:14 AM PDT by STARWISE
Giving themselves a standing ovation, aldermen eagerly jumped onto Mayor Richard Daley's Olympics bandwagon today, unanimously approving a measure that
*** places the responsibility for cost overruns on taxpayers if Chicago hosts the 2016 Summer Games.***
The endorsement allows Daley to go to Copenhagen in three weeks and tell the International Olympic Committee that the council sent "a very strong message" of support for Chicago's bid, despite tepid public support for playing host and strong opposition to providing an unlimited financial guarantee.
The 49-0 vote also put an end to a rare moment of vocal council dissent this summer when Daley promised IOC officials the city would give a blanket backing against any Olympic shortfalls. (Ald. William J.P. Banks would've cast the 50th vote but he recently retired from his 36th Ward post.)
The mayor previously had taken a hard line against agreeing to such a provision, suggesting that the city's liability would be limited to $500 million. But Daley's switch came after Chicago was the only one of the four finalists without a full government guarantee.
The reaction to Daley's about-face led to a slight amount of give at City Hall, with bid officials hurriedly holding public hearings across the city and promising transparency. The new ordinance imposes reporting requirements on the panel that would organize the Games.
On Wednesday, aldermen heaped only praise on Daley and Olympics committee organizers, currying favor with the mayor in the short term but putting themselves out on a political limb should Chicago win the Olympics and see them go bust.
*snip*
Daley added that insurance policies would protect the city from ever being exposed, and he argued that the Olympics would be a great opportunity for Chicago to raise its stature globally, as did previous Olympic cities such as Athens and Barcelona.
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagobreakingnews.com ...
"The reaction to Daley's about-face led to a slight amount of give at City Hall, with bid officials hurriedly holding public hearings across the city and promising transparency. The new ordinance imposes reporting requirements on the panel that would organize the Games."
"Daley added that insurance policies would protect the city from ever being exposed..."
Valerie Jarrett to Copenhagen to bolster Chicago 2016 bid. Will Obama go?
September 8, 2009
White House Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett—who heads the Obama team drive for Chicago’s 2016 Olympic bid—will be going to Copenhagen in October for the city’s final pitch, I’m told.
Chicago’s Olympic champions hopes President Obama decides to also travel to Denmark to seal the deal. The White House as of Tuesday is not ready to say one way or the other. Betting is:
Obama will go if it looks like it is worth his time.
http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/09/valerie_jarrett_to_copenhagen.html
~~~
Of course he’ll go .. it’s the Chicago Way.
These words?: We told you so!
Shrug. Chicago deserves what it votes for. Amazing how democracy works like that.
The corruption will be in the billions if they get the Olympics. The unions are going to be partying like a Caligula orgy.
This could turn out to be a bigger international embarassment than Atlanta in ‘96! Let’s do bigger and better corruption, and really show the world how it’s done.
P.S. Has Montreal finished paying for “76 yet?
a great opportunity for Chicago to raise its stature globally, as did previous Olympic cities such as Athens and Barcelona.
We can certainly see how much good it’s done them....
If it wasn't for the Olympics the world would know nothing of the East German women's (anything) teams.
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