I purchased my city sticker this past weekend. Because my plates expire in November, I got to buy an 11-month sticker. Wasn’t that so clever of the city clerk to change the date the city sticker expires? Now every six months, either the state or the city will have their hands in my pockets for a very expensive and worthless piece of paper.
I still advocate that the city sticker should “glow in the dark” and Chicago should implement a “no parking from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m.” law without one. In a city that is constantly coming up with ways to gouge its citizens, those who aren’t residents who love to park in the city should pay for the privilege.
One good rule the city did implement is that trucks cannot be parked on the city streets without a permit from the alderman. Not only do they need a permit, the alderman’s office needs to see the truck. One group of people who will be affected directly by the new rule are all those junk trucks — especially the folks who don’t buy city stickers and maintain a permanent “temporary” license plate.
A lot of folks may giggle at the mention of “glow in the dark” versions of the sticker. But lots of people live in the city and register their cars in the suburbs. They are proud of what they “ain’t gonna do,” and the city should reward them with an inability to keep those cars on the street overnight.
Next it is time for the city to invest in animal control officers. I see more pitbulls and other large and dangerous dogs being walked without tags. Those dangerous animals are a bigger danger to the safety of this city’s citizens than so-called speeding cars.
It’s also time to crack down on unlicensed food carts. The city put food trucks through the wringer in order for them to operate but turned a blind eye to the proliferation of carts lining the city’s sidewalks and parks. Besides the licensing fees, the city and state as well as the federal government are being shortchanged on taxes.
The ability of this city to pick and choose which laws it enforces sends the wrong messages. Where are all the city food inspectors? To people who buy off carts that sit on street corners with mayonnaise exposed to bugs, germs and the most unsanitary of conditions, my question is: Where do those folks go to the bathroom and how do they wash their hands?
One of the reasons the Chicago Police Department ignores those carts is that arresting the vendors means taking the carts in as well. It’s time to implement a procedure to begin impounding those carts. It’s no coincidence that those vendors don’t take those carts into the downtown area while residential neighborhoods are bombarded with the honk-honk noise of irritating, hand-held horns as they ply their trade.
No one’s property value increases because the neighborhood has unlicensed food carts on the corners. Truthfully, the more upscale the neighborhood, the less likely those carts will be in the area. The flip side is that the appearance of those carts is a sign of deterioration. In this litigious society, the first time someone does fall ill, the city’s deep pockets will be in the sights of a creative lawyer’s lawsuit.
A government of the people, by the people and for the people can only apply when those we elect to office obey the laws instead of ignoring them. Voting for the right candidate is the only way to assure that your voice is heard. Come November, vote your interests. Better to replace those who are working against you instead of letting them remain in office to finish the task.
CONTACT: westside2day@yahoo.com
WEBSITE: www.arlenejones.blogspot.com
