Chicago needs smaller, not expanded, RTA
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR September 10, 2013 3:42PM
Updated: September 11, 2013 2:23AM
We disagree with the suggestions of RTA Chairman John Gates, supported by this page (“Transit task force is opportunity to make important changes,” Aug. 19). The concept of expanding the RTA has not been discussed with the RTA board, nor do we believe it reflects the will of the entire board. At a time when a healthy public-policy debate on transit is under way, the last thing we need to do is reward failed oversight with more power, at more cost to taxpayers and riders.
The Sun-Times writes, “The RTA is the third-largest public transportation system in North America.” In reality, the RTA does not operate a single train or bus. It is a bureaucracy only and has grown well beyond its original mission of financial oversight. In fact, the RTA’s budget is nearly twice what state law allows. As board members, we will not support any future growth of the agency’s role that leads to an increase in the agency’s budget.
Every dollar spent internally by the RTA is a dollar that would otherwise go to the service boards for actual transit operations. The RTA diverts a minimum of $33 million annually from the operating budgets of CTA, Metra and Pace, with little evidence of positive impact. In fact, each current RTA function — other than the annual approval of the budgets of transit boards — is already handled by another agency. Both the Federal Transit Administration and outside firms audit the transit agencies. The Illinois Department of Transportation and the FTA both regulate construction and maintenance. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is designated by the federal government to oversee transit planning. The state inspector general has investigative powers.
Instead of expanding the RTA, we should fundamentally reconsider its role. Instead of adding to an expensive bureaucracy that doesn’t deliver a single rider to their destination, we should embrace the current momentum for real change. Anything less would be a disservice to transit riders and taxpayers.
Anthony K. Anderson, James Buchanan, Phil Fuentes, Christopher C. Melvin and Sarah Pang, RTA board members
Cheering on Chicago River bank overhaul
I am a 47th Ward resident and a member of the Horner Park Advisory Council. I support the Army Corps of Engineers’ plan [to renovate the Chicago River bank]. I like the recent non-native species elimination and riverbank landscaping changes that were put into place a few years ago at Ronan Park. I think the changes for Horner will be more drastic, but will end up being nicer and more important for the environment, the park, and the health of the Chicago River in the medium and long term.
It is unfortunate to hear loaded words being tossed around like “clear cut” — which incorrectly leaves people with visions of mountains naked but for the stumps of thousands of trees, “tree holocaust” — a particularly awful and unfortunate choice that clearly brings up images of Nazi death camps and complete, soulless devastation with nothing in its wake, and “dragging the river for toddlers” — which ignores the miles and miles of Chicago River access in parks all throughout the city where, to my knowledge, toddler dredging is thankfully an exceedingly rare activity. These scare terms are purposefully used to appeal only to base human emotion while disengaging the brain for rational discourse.
Some hysterical people are acting like trees will leave and a field of stumps, a parking lot, or a Wal-Mart will go in, as if the project will halt after the first step. I understand that there will be some discomfort, inconvenience, and adjustment, but this is a positive plan for the environment as a whole, and for our beloved Horner Park more specifically.
I hope that delays do not cause us to lose the $6.5 million in funding that has suddenly become available, and I fear a stalling tactics by scared reactionaries will result in just that. I understand concerns about light pollution. If the lighting at the park is a problem, there is much that can be done to use directional lighting in the park that would make it less light polluting for all.
As an amateur astronomer who offers free public viewing in Horner Park and other parks, I would support any measures to reduce light leakage and pollution in all of our parks, and at Horner specifically. I also hope that this project can be a small stepping stone toward cleaning up the Chicago River, which I know is a goal that we all share.
Patrick Monaghan, Ravenswood
Miley’s vapid act
Miley Cyrus is a healthy, active American girl with a cute figure. The complaint wasn’t with what she was wearing but with her banal, vapid act. Instead of something of substance, it was substance abuse.
Kathie Newhouse, Hyde Park
Rock on Beethoven
Thank you for your review of the 2013 Beethoven Festival going on at the Merit School this week through Saturday. I attended the opening performance of St. John’s Passion by Bach at the Methodist Temple downtown and saw performances late into the evening Sunday. Both days were fantastic experiences! The amalgamation of new and traditional musical pieces, fashion, and visual arts is different, daring and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. The informal atmosphere and sense of community at the Merit School performances is wonderful. It’s great to have access to these internationally known artists, who are glad to engage with the audiences in the hallways and reception areas after each show.
Chicago is a great arts town, and the Beethoven Festival is the best example I’ve seen this year of the kind of cutting-edge music festivals this city is known for. Thanks for recognizing that!
Karl Maurer, New Lenox
Enforce existing gun laws
I am a firm believer of gun laws — if they are enforced.
Owning a gun should not make you a criminal, using that gun illegally should. Gun laws should not hinder honest people who happen to own guns.
How many times do we see a shooter (i.e., a criminal) be plea-bargained down to one count of breaking a law (e.g. robbery, assault, murder) when he broke five or six existing gun laws in addition, such as minors having handguns, felons having handguns, concealed carrying of a gun, transporting a loaded gun in passenger compartment of a car, discharging a gun in city limits, and possession of a stolen gun. Why have these laws when no one ever enforces them? Lock ’em up for the original crime, then tack on the gun charges. No plea bargains of any kind on any gun charges, and then talk to me about more gun laws.
Mike Smith Oak Lawn
