CHA mixed-income building has class clash -- chicagotribune.com: "Low-income apartment dwellers and middle-class condo owners have shared Westhaven Park Tower since the building opened in 2006 -- an innovative setup that the city hoped would unite residents and exemplify Chicago's $1.6 billion overhaul of public housing.
Proximity, however, has not led to harmony.
The most recent skirmish inside the 113-unit midrise on Hermitage Avenue on the West Side concerned building security. Another flare-up centered on the proper use of the lobby: Public housing residents -- who make up a third of the building -- saw it as a place to hang out; condo owners did not.
Kathy Quickery, president of the building's condominium association, put it bluntly in a letter to the CHA last month: 'After living in the building for three years, I consider the project a failure for homeowners.'"
-----------------
This is one of the outcomes of the Clinton Administration's housing policy. These mixed-income developments were the result of the HOPE VI program that replaced public housing projects with places like this. Another part of the Clinton-Cisneros housing policy was expanding home ownership to the poor by forcing banks to lend to them. That worked out just about as well as the mixed-income housing concept.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Sen. Inhofe Calls for Inquiry Into 'Suppressed' Climate Change Report - Political News - FOXNews.com
Sen. Inhofe Calls for Inquiry Into 'Suppressed' Climate Change Report - Political News - FOXNews.com: "The 98-page report, co-authored by EPA analyst Alan Carlin, pushed back on the prospect of regulating gases like carbon dioxide as a way to reduce global warming. Carlin's report argued that the information the EPA was using was out of date, and that even as atmospheric carbon dioxide levels have increased, global temperatures have declined."
-------------------
The Obama Administration can't have that report floating around just as they are getting the cap and trade bill passed.
-------------------
The Obama Administration can't have that report floating around just as they are getting the cap and trade bill passed.
States brace for shutdowns - Los Angeles Times
States brace for shutdowns - Los Angeles Times: "Indiana is one of five states -- along with Arizona, California, Mississippi and Pennsylvania -- bracing for possible shutdowns this week as time runs out for lawmakers to close billion-dollar gaps in their fiscal 2010 budgets.
Of the 46 states whose fiscal year ends today, 32 did not have budgets passed and approved by their governors as of Monday afternoon, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Although the majority of those are expected to pass eleventh-hour budgets, the fiscal futures of a handful remain uncertain, said Todd Haggerty, an NCSL research analyst."
----------
Just heard that the Illinois House has come up with a great solution: borrow $2.3 billion. Way to cut that Gordian Knot, guys.
Of the 46 states whose fiscal year ends today, 32 did not have budgets passed and approved by their governors as of Monday afternoon, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Although the majority of those are expected to pass eleventh-hour budgets, the fiscal futures of a handful remain uncertain, said Todd Haggerty, an NCSL research analyst."
----------
Just heard that the Illinois House has come up with a great solution: borrow $2.3 billion. Way to cut that Gordian Knot, guys.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Indiana Governor Warns Government Shutdown Possible
Indiana Governor Warns Government Shutdown Possible: "Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he was prepared to keep essential services such as public safety running if lawmakers do not pass a budget by midnight June 30, but warned that most of state government would shut down.
Daniels said he would use emergency powers to keep state police and prisons operating, and public assistance - including unemployment insurance - would keep being distributed to those already eligible. The Indiana National Guard, state Department of Homeland Security and health officials would be available on standby.
But he said state parks would not be open and Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches and other state offices would close, as would casinos and the lottery because they are regulated by the state. Most of the state's 30,900 employees would be furloughed."
----------
Thanks to Fred Pilot for this barely pre-apocalyptic announcement.
Daniels said he would use emergency powers to keep state police and prisons operating, and public assistance - including unemployment insurance - would keep being distributed to those already eligible. The Indiana National Guard, state Department of Homeland Security and health officials would be available on standby.
But he said state parks would not be open and Bureau of Motor Vehicle branches and other state offices would close, as would casinos and the lottery because they are regulated by the state. Most of the state's 30,900 employees would be furloughed."
----------
Thanks to Fred Pilot for this barely pre-apocalyptic announcement.
Congressional Budget Office: Debt Tsunami
The Debt Tsunami - washingtonpost.com: "To put it bluntly, the fiscal policy of the United States is unsustainable. Debt is growing faster than gross domestic product. Under the CBO's most realistic scenario, the publicly held debt of the U.S. government will reach 82 percent of GDP by 2019 -- roughly double what it was in 2008. By 2026, spiraling interest payments would push the debt above its all-time peak (set just after World War II) of 113 percent of GDP. It would reach 200 percent of GDP in 2038.
This huge mass of debt, which would stifle economic growth and reduce the American standard of living, can be avoided only through spending cuts, tax increases or some combination of the two. And the longer government waits to get its financial house in order, the more it will cost to do so, the CBO says."
--------------
There is no way the national government will reach those debt levels, which are not only unsustainable but impossible, because at that point nobody will buy our bonds. Long before the federal government hits that level, our creditors--including the Chinese--will have forced the US government into virtual receivership and will be dictating our policies, on pain of no more lending.
And a government that out of control will cripple the economy. If we get this cap and trade policy, along with national health insurance, energy prices and tax rates will go so high that this recession will never end. The state and local governments are raising taxes already, and soon the higher federal taxes will suck up even more private revenues.
This huge mass of debt, which would stifle economic growth and reduce the American standard of living, can be avoided only through spending cuts, tax increases or some combination of the two. And the longer government waits to get its financial house in order, the more it will cost to do so, the CBO says."
--------------
There is no way the national government will reach those debt levels, which are not only unsustainable but impossible, because at that point nobody will buy our bonds. Long before the federal government hits that level, our creditors--including the Chinese--will have forced the US government into virtual receivership and will be dictating our policies, on pain of no more lending.
And a government that out of control will cripple the economy. If we get this cap and trade policy, along with national health insurance, energy prices and tax rates will go so high that this recession will never end. The state and local governments are raising taxes already, and soon the higher federal taxes will suck up even more private revenues.
Condo association president gets 2 years for embezzling $530,000 | prosecutors, kontos, association, laser, condominium - News - OCRegister.com
Condo association president gets 2 years for embezzling $530,000 | prosecutors, kontos, association, laser, condominium - News - OCRegister.com: "SANTA ANA – The former head of a Newport Beach condominium association was sentenced to two years in prison Friday in a case involving embezzling more than $530,000 and shining laser beams into cockpits of police helicopters, county prosecutors said."
---------
Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for this insight into the life of a busy guy.
---------
Thanks to Shu Bartholomew for this insight into the life of a busy guy.
Clotheslines blow through culture again | Richmond Times-Dispatch
Clotheslines blow through culture again | Richmond Times-Dispatch: "Planned communities and condos frequently have covenants that ban or restrict the use of clotheslines. In the Richmond area, restrictions vary -- from all-out prohibition, as in Charles Glen in Henrico County, to restricted use, as in Chesterfield County's venerable Woodlake and Brandermill subdivisions.
'We do allow portable devices [drying racks], just not permanent ones,' said Brian Hoyle, community-standards manager for Woodlake, where racks must be brought inside once the laundry is dry.
With more than 300,000 community associations across the country, promoting clothesline use has been an uphill task for Alexander Lee, founder of the nonprofit Project Laundry List, which he started 11 years ago as a Middlebury College student."
-------------
Using coercion to enforce bonehead stereotypes about what is bad for property values--your HOA in action.
'We do allow portable devices [drying racks], just not permanent ones,' said Brian Hoyle, community-standards manager for Woodlake, where racks must be brought inside once the laundry is dry.
With more than 300,000 community associations across the country, promoting clothesline use has been an uphill task for Alexander Lee, founder of the nonprofit Project Laundry List, which he started 11 years ago as a Middlebury College student."
-------------
Using coercion to enforce bonehead stereotypes about what is bad for property values--your HOA in action.
Friday, June 26, 2009
U. of I. jobs-for-entry scheme -- chicagotribune.com
U. of I. jobs-for-entry scheme -- chicagotribune.com: "What does it cost to get an unqualified student into the University of Illinois law school?
Five jobs for graduating law students, suggest internal e-mails released Thursday.
The documents show for the first time efforts to seek favors -- in this case, jobs -- for admissions, the most troubling evidence yet of how Illinois' entrenched system of patronage crept into the state's most prestigious public university."
--------------
This is just disgraceful.
Five jobs for graduating law students, suggest internal e-mails released Thursday.
The documents show for the first time efforts to seek favors -- in this case, jobs -- for admissions, the most troubling evidence yet of how Illinois' entrenched system of patronage crept into the state's most prestigious public university."
--------------
This is just disgraceful.
Britain’s Secret Underground City
Britain’s Secret Underground City: "Code named Burlington, the immense city was set to be the seat of the emergency Government during the war; should nukes be involved. Created to house the Prime Minister of the time, Harold McMillan, the entire Cabinet Office, civil servants and any support staff, the hidden city could accommodate up to 4,000 personnel, but, unfortunately, not their families."
---------
There is nothing more interesting than planned communities. The things people come up with will just never cease to amaze you.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Unprecedented number of states lack budgets with week left - Jun. 24, 2009
Unprecedented number of states lack budgets with week left - Jun. 24, 2009: "At least 19 states still have to approve their fiscal 2010 budgets before next Tuesday. If they don't, staffers might not be paid and services might shut down."
------------
I see a trailer park in my future.
------------
I see a trailer park in my future.
Welcome to your new condo--complete with shock treatment
The Cemetary of the Danvers Hospital for the Criminally Insane | Atlas Obscura
Danvers State Hospital for the Criminally Insane opened in 1878 to serve some 600 mental patients under its imposing gothic spires. While it was built with a surprisingly caring and modern attitude toward the mentally ill, by the 1930's the site was crowded, falling into disrepair, and was using shock therapies and lobotomies on a regular basis. The addition of criminals, alcoholics, and the mentally retarded to the overcrowded hospital made it very difficult for the hospital to help cure any of its mental patients. The hospital was shut down in 1992.
The building, with its gothic style and series of underground tunnels, inspired H. P. Lovecraft's Arkham Sanitarium, in turn inspiring Batman's Arkham Asylum. Besides the horror of H.P. Lovecraft there is yet another more modern horror story here. As of 2007 the beautiful, if decaying, building was mostly torn down and turned into a bright and shiny condominium. "Avalon Communities" is complete with swimming pool and nary a reference to the sites fascinating past. While, thankfully, some of the facade remains the rest of the beautiful building has been replaced with chinsey condos, elliptical machines and ikea furniture. That would have scared even H.P. Lovecraft. However there is one piece of the former insane asylum that still exists; it's cemetery.
------------------
Reminds me of Poltergeist.
Danvers State Hospital for the Criminally Insane opened in 1878 to serve some 600 mental patients under its imposing gothic spires. While it was built with a surprisingly caring and modern attitude toward the mentally ill, by the 1930's the site was crowded, falling into disrepair, and was using shock therapies and lobotomies on a regular basis. The addition of criminals, alcoholics, and the mentally retarded to the overcrowded hospital made it very difficult for the hospital to help cure any of its mental patients. The hospital was shut down in 1992.
The building, with its gothic style and series of underground tunnels, inspired H. P. Lovecraft's Arkham Sanitarium, in turn inspiring Batman's Arkham Asylum. Besides the horror of H.P. Lovecraft there is yet another more modern horror story here. As of 2007 the beautiful, if decaying, building was mostly torn down and turned into a bright and shiny condominium. "Avalon Communities" is complete with swimming pool and nary a reference to the sites fascinating past. While, thankfully, some of the facade remains the rest of the beautiful building has been replaced with chinsey condos, elliptical machines and ikea furniture. That would have scared even H.P. Lovecraft. However there is one piece of the former insane asylum that still exists; it's cemetery.
------------------
Reminds me of Poltergeist.
Holyfield's estate faces foreclosure again | ajc.com
Holyfield's estate faces foreclosure again | ajc.com: "For the second time in a year, Evander Holyfield’s palatial Fayette County estate is under foreclosure.
A notice published last week in the Fayette Daily News revealed the former heavyweight boxing champion is in danger of losing his 109-room Fairburn mansion. The lien holder is demanding full repayment of the original $10 million loan, with an auction scheduled for July 7 on the Fayette County Courthouse steps."
---------------
Mike Tyson wants to make an offer on it, but he can't get Holyfield's ear.
A notice published last week in the Fayette Daily News revealed the former heavyweight boxing champion is in danger of losing his 109-room Fairburn mansion. The lien holder is demanding full repayment of the original $10 million loan, with an auction scheduled for July 7 on the Fayette County Courthouse steps."
---------------
Mike Tyson wants to make an offer on it, but he can't get Holyfield's ear.
Investor Daily: Analyst says California will default on debt - Jun. 25, 2009
Investor Daily: Analyst says California will default on debt - Jun. 25, 2009: "Asked to put odds on California defaulting on its $59 billion in outstanding general obligation bonds, Weiss doesn't hedge. 'It's unavoidable,' he tells Fortune.
If he's right, the impact on investors would be far broader and deeper than Bernie Madoff, General Motors (GMGMQ) or any of the other investment implosions that have occurred over the past year."
--------------
I keep hearing people on TV saying that the economy has turned the corner and they see the light at the end of the tunnel and so forth--and I think they are just saying whatever will induce people to buy stuff. From where I sit, it looks as though there is a whole lot more bad economic news coming down the pike.
If he's right, the impact on investors would be far broader and deeper than Bernie Madoff, General Motors (GMGMQ) or any of the other investment implosions that have occurred over the past year."
--------------
I keep hearing people on TV saying that the economy has turned the corner and they see the light at the end of the tunnel and so forth--and I think they are just saying whatever will induce people to buy stuff. From where I sit, it looks as though there is a whole lot more bad economic news coming down the pike.
'Most Dangerous' Neighborhoods In US Ranked - Family News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh
'Most Dangerous' Neighborhoods In US Ranked - Family News Story - WTAE Pittsburgh: "Chicago has the dubious distinction of holding four places on a list of the 25 most dangerous neighborhoods in the nation."
------------------
They even give you the exact intersection that is marked as ground zero for each neighborhood.
------------------
They even give you the exact intersection that is marked as ground zero for each neighborhood.
Cop justice, Chicago style
Cop in bar fight video gets 2 years probation - WREX.com – Rockford’s News Leader: "CHICAGO (AP) - The judge who sentenced an off-duty Chicago police officer to probation for beating a female bartender says the officer has been through rehabilitation and didn't cause serious harm.
Cook County Circuit Judge John Fleming also says Anthony Abbate (ah-BAHT'-ee) has no prior history of crimes and wasn't working the night he beat the bartender.
Fleming today sentenced Abbate to two years probation and anger management classes. He also imposed a home curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and ordered Abbate to perform 130 hours of community service."
-----------
Abbate is a hulking 300 pound drunken brute. The bartender weighs about 125. The whole thing is on video and has been all over the world since it was first broadcast. She refused to serve him, he refused to leave, she tried to get him out, he beat the crap out of her.
But this is Chicago, where in the absence of videotape the victim often gets the blame in these cop-civilian confrontations, even if the cops are off-duty. The formula for a lawyer defending a cop charged with brutality in Chicago is simple. Waive jury and try to get the case assigned to a friendly judge for a bench trial. Make a ludicrous argument in which you blame the whole thing on the victim. Try for a not guilty verdict. Failing that, claim your client has been punished enough, he would be at risk in prison because he's a copy, and hope for a minimal sentence.
In years past that formula worked out fine even for organized crime figures, even for mafia hit men who shot people to death in public, in front of witnesses. But that involved bribing the judges. In these cop cases, there is no indication of bribes. There is a political side to these cases, because the police officers' union is a powerful force and the judges have to be concerned about missing the 60% threshold needed to keep their jobs in retention elections. The only way to lose a retention election is to generate organized opposition. But maybe the judges don't want to send cops to jail or prison because of the risk to their safety from other inmates.
Cook County Circuit Judge John Fleming also says Anthony Abbate (ah-BAHT'-ee) has no prior history of crimes and wasn't working the night he beat the bartender.
Fleming today sentenced Abbate to two years probation and anger management classes. He also imposed a home curfew from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. and ordered Abbate to perform 130 hours of community service."
-----------
Abbate is a hulking 300 pound drunken brute. The bartender weighs about 125. The whole thing is on video and has been all over the world since it was first broadcast. She refused to serve him, he refused to leave, she tried to get him out, he beat the crap out of her.
But this is Chicago, where in the absence of videotape the victim often gets the blame in these cop-civilian confrontations, even if the cops are off-duty. The formula for a lawyer defending a cop charged with brutality in Chicago is simple. Waive jury and try to get the case assigned to a friendly judge for a bench trial. Make a ludicrous argument in which you blame the whole thing on the victim. Try for a not guilty verdict. Failing that, claim your client has been punished enough, he would be at risk in prison because he's a copy, and hope for a minimal sentence.
In years past that formula worked out fine even for organized crime figures, even for mafia hit men who shot people to death in public, in front of witnesses. But that involved bribing the judges. In these cop cases, there is no indication of bribes. There is a political side to these cases, because the police officers' union is a powerful force and the judges have to be concerned about missing the 60% threshold needed to keep their jobs in retention elections. The only way to lose a retention election is to generate organized opposition. But maybe the judges don't want to send cops to jail or prison because of the risk to their safety from other inmates.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Ventura County considers letting public decide on pension increases - Los Angeles Times
Ventura County considers letting public decide on pension increases - Los Angeles Times: "Alarmed by spiraling pension debt, Ventura County could join a growing number of local governments requiring that future increases in retirement benefits for public employees be put on the ballot.
Voters in Orange County and the city of San Diego in recent years have stripped benefit-granting authority from their elected officials, reserving that power for the electorate. San Francisco has required voter approval of pension benefit hikes since its founding charter over a century ago."
------------
That might reduce the role of unions in jacking up pension benefits.
Voters in Orange County and the city of San Diego in recent years have stripped benefit-granting authority from their elected officials, reserving that power for the electorate. San Francisco has required voter approval of pension benefit hikes since its founding charter over a century ago."
------------
That might reduce the role of unions in jacking up pension benefits.
Shriver: Budget choices confound Californians
Shriver: Budget choices confound Californians: "Californians seem to want it all, says first lady Maria Shriver. They oppose billions of dollars in cuts to address the state's massive budget deficit but are not willing to pay more for the services they enjoy."
--------------
True. And well known. The definitive book on the Proposition 13 property tax revolt that set the state on the road to catastrophe back in 1978 is titled, Tax Revolt: Something for Nothing in California. Jack Citrin and David Sears had it exactly right. Californians want the goodies from government but they don't want to pay for them. And in my opinion, the Obama administration, backed by a majority of the public, is presently embarked on one great big attempt to do the same thing nationwide. The inevitable failure will be much more dramatic.
--------------
True. And well known. The definitive book on the Proposition 13 property tax revolt that set the state on the road to catastrophe back in 1978 is titled, Tax Revolt: Something for Nothing in California. Jack Citrin and David Sears had it exactly right. Californians want the goodies from government but they don't want to pay for them. And in my opinion, the Obama administration, backed by a majority of the public, is presently embarked on one great big attempt to do the same thing nationwide. The inevitable failure will be much more dramatic.
Second verse, same as the first
Fannie, Freddie asked to relax condo loan rules: report | Reuters: "In March, Fannie Mae (FNM.N)(FNM.P) said it would no longer guarantee mortgages on condos in buildings where fewer than 70 percent of the units have been sold, up from 51 percent, the paper said. Freddie Mac (FRE.P)(FRE.N) is due to implement similar policies next month, the paper said.
In a letter to the CEO's of both companies, Representatives Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Anthony Weiner warned that a 70 percent sales threshold 'may be too onerous' and could lead condo buyers to shun new developments, according to the paper.
The legislators asked the companies to 'make appropriate adjustments' to their underwriting standards for condos, the paper added."
------------------
What this country needs now is more federal office holders tinkering with the economy. Yes sir. Autos, banking, medical insurance, and of course the housing industry. Why, they have done such a fine job so far, especially Barney Frank.
In a letter to the CEO's of both companies, Representatives Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Anthony Weiner warned that a 70 percent sales threshold 'may be too onerous' and could lead condo buyers to shun new developments, according to the paper.
The legislators asked the companies to 'make appropriate adjustments' to their underwriting standards for condos, the paper added."
------------------
What this country needs now is more federal office holders tinkering with the economy. Yes sir. Autos, banking, medical insurance, and of course the housing industry. Why, they have done such a fine job so far, especially Barney Frank.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)