http://capitolfaxcom.disqus.com/NoneenMon, 03 Mar 2008 16:13:21 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146413<p>I think Stroger will get better as he gets more experience. I still think he has done more than hi father in regards to accountability. He inherited a fiscal mess. People do not like the way he got the office through his father. That's the bottom line.</p>anonMon, 03 Mar 2008 16:13:21 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146412<p>Todd cannot lead, nor will he. Even his fellow Board cronies are distancing themselves from him. He has fired up the opposition, refused to stop hiring "friends, family, and hangers-on" while calling for budget cuts and tax increases, and continues to believe he's actually in charge.</p>Phoning the FedsSat, 01 Mar 2008 03:12:40 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146411<p>I wish I knew where some of you guys get your "information": Peraica and Vyrdolyak HATE each other.</p>Snidely WhiplashSat, 01 Mar 2008 00:29:20 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146410<p>Any commissioner who voted for this should be exiting hte next election. Anyone who voted for Stroger knowing he didn't have the experience should feel responsible, and we should all shop, eat, etc.... in other counties!</p>unrealSat, 01 Mar 2008 00:20:07 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146409<p>Actually, it would appear that Mr. Stroger has been quite successful. He will increase hiring, and the County is speeding towards previous highs on the County payroll. The Stroger patronage army remains intact. He didn't get what he asked for but he got a substantial chunk of dough and he probably padded the original sales tax request knowing it would be reduced. In addition, he'll be back for more, lots more, in 2009 or 2010.</p><p>The losers here are the taxpayers, not Stroger.<br>We got took again. Stroger will likely sail on<br>to re-election, with a corps of ever-happier,<br>ever-richer family and friends on the county payroll and no change in the quality, or rather,<br>lack of quality in county services.</p><p>We can only blame ourselves. Illinoisians, and<br>especially Cook County-ians just love to give<br>ever more money to their government, even if<br>we get nothing back.</p>CassandraFri, 29 Feb 2008 19:46:30 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146408<p>Bling Bada Bling! Let Tony keep goin' when he hits the state line.</p>Arthur AndersenFri, 29 Feb 2008 19:36:48 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146407<p>That wasn't the fringe it was ground zero of the brain trust and the Rolex wrist was the poster child of that whole GOP(as in MOPE) "reform". It led to my recent conclusion...send Fast Tony back to Fast Eddie's law office PRONTO!</p>ReddbyrdFri, 29 Feb 2008 18:46:20 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146406<p>Redd, the only thing AA remembers about the O'Grady/Dvorak crowd is there was always some knucklehead on the fringe of their posse offerin' folks a great deal on a big shiny Rolex "just like Jimmy's." Had the sense they might be warm to the touch.</p>Arthur AndersenFri, 29 Feb 2008 18:27:45 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146405<p>Stroger (and Blagojevich) have a major Daley envy problem. They looked at Daley, who has a rubber stamp council, and wanted the same for themselves. When they could not achieve compliance from their legislative bodies they hardened their stances instead of working to forge coalitions and make compromises.</p><p>An inconvenient truth rarely mentioned is that race is a big part of Stroger's negative press. Sure he's completely tone deaf politically and has a lot of ridiculous ideas but if he were white I think he'd get more of the benefit of the doubt. The politicos and press are much more forgiving of Daley's many blunders.</p>IndependentFri, 29 Feb 2008 18:25:07 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146404<p>If Todd Stroger is frustrated with criticism (from not only the media but also by both Democratic and Republican commissioners), he has a solution. He can always retire into the private sector. The people of Cook County can elect a successor. Everyone would probably feel better, and maybe -- just maybe -- the county's management would improve.</p>Boone Logan SquareFri, 29 Feb 2008 17:58:50 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146403<p>Hey, Rich, some days you're the windshield, some days you're the bug. Like most of us, you're never a prophet in your own country.</p>steve schnorfFri, 29 Feb 2008 17:34:52 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146402<p>With leaders such as Todd Stroger, Rod Blagojevich, and Richard Daley - Can this Country afford to have Barak Obama as president?</p>anonFri, 29 Feb 2008 17:02:20 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146401<p>Tom Dart should tighten his belt by getting rid of guards at courthouses that leave early, don't come in, and cover each others ass by signing them in &amp; out. Abuse like this is rampant in the Sheriffs Office and discredits good employees.</p>GarpFri, 29 Feb 2008 16:47:30 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146400<p>Rich wants to give the guy a break, but the circumstances of his rise to power rub too many people the wrong way. When the son or daughter of a high-ranking politician assumes a political position, there's usually a wait-and-see period where people want to find out if he or she is a lightweight. With Lisa Madigan and Dan Hynes, the verdict is in that they are competent pros. With Lipinski the Younger, not so much.</p><p>With Todd Stroger, the unusual situation with his father's disabling stroke, its timing so close to an election and the lack of truthfulness from insiders about the elder Stroger's condition, intensified this level of suspicion more than in most cases.</p><p>The hiring of "friends and family" may be normal, but it has contributed to the notion that Todd Stroger is more like a traditional Cook County pol and not any sort of reformer and probably not up to the task of managing the County. His performance in the last few days has raised many more questions and, I'm guessing from the comments above, left more people convinced that he is, indeed, a lightweight. He still has time to prove everyone wrong, so good luck to everyone who lives in, works in or visits Cook County!</p>DuPage DaveFri, 29 Feb 2008 16:42:48 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146399<p>I was in the audience at a function where Todd Stroger spoke last fall. When questioned about the county budget, all he could say was that 'we all need to tighten our belts.' The last question was asked by a woman who wanted to know "how do we, as citizens, help get the media off your back Mr. President?" Todd went on to thank his cousin for the question. No, he wasn't joking. There was also a group of about 10 hangers on who kept interupting his speech with applause despite the fact that no one else in the room was clapping. It was embarassing.<br>Two days later, I heard Tom Dart speak. He must have listed at least 9 area's in which his office was able to cut waste and stream line operations. He provided very specific information, not just the 'tightening the belt' answer.</p><p>Those two speeches were real eye openers for me.</p>anonFri, 29 Feb 2008 16:37:30 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146398<p>Wow, this is hot and heavy....whiners for Fast Eddie V's pal, Fast Tony, people banging on Capt. Fax and the never ending knock on President Todd.</p><p>The budget is the budget no one wants to pay fund. The county prison ( I knows its a jain, but it looks like prison) or the Hospital.</p><p>Line up all the elected bright lites: Hooli, Two Gun Tommy, Dorothy Brown, Pappas, Clean Gene and (who am I forgetting?) and the "reformers" (even the media giggles when they use that term) put all their solutions end to end and let's us know if we are there yet.</p><p>Cut all the insider jobs and we are still not there.</p><p>Any fresh thoughts</p><p>BTW some still remember the bang up job from O'Grady-Dvorak and BackJack O'Malley so I think county GOP (as in MOPE) leadership is real bad idea<br>And I remembered Mayor Orr and Divine</p>RedbyrdFri, 29 Feb 2008 16:06:43 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146397<p>All this whining about positive stories. Positive stories are earned by doing the right thing. Stroger has yet to have a positive story because he has yet to do the right thing, like keep his campaign promises. All you bloggers trying to make the ascertion that there is a media conspiracy against Todd, or that he is not as ineffective leader as the press portrays, are either on Stroger's payroll or misinformed. Stroger has been offered as a compromise, an additional $300 million in new revenue and he turned it down because he wants $800 million! GIve me a break. We are in a recession.</p>DonFri, 29 Feb 2008 15:47:40 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146396<p>You want Todd to get an "even break." How about Peraica getting an "even break." You have completely accepted that democrats are entitled to everything in Cook County. This debutante was put in by a sytem built on pay-to-play politics. His campaign promise was to be a "reformer" defined as cutting spending AND reducing jobs. He is adding 1,100 jobs for the machine to get back their old influence. Beavers is drowning fast. Stroger has proposed far more taxes than even required...what the hell is that?</p><p>Stroger is a petulant child. Spare the rod and spoil the child. Let someone who earned merit on their own right run the $3.2 billion government, not the intellectual runt with the golden last name.</p>CerriosFri, 29 Feb 2008 15:11:14 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146395<p>Rich, I don't follow the County as closely as the State stuff, but from my view, Todd does seem like that Joe guy in the funny papers with the rain cloud always over his head. I can't remember reading a positive story about him or his administration.</p><p>I don't think I agree, if this is what you are really saying, that winning an elected office, running an agency, etc. gives a person the right to nepotize the place. Setting aside any issues of competence, civil service , etc. I've found one great way to drive the morale of a workforce right into the dumper is for the boss to run a Friends and Family program. Unless your name is on the door (as in owning the joint), you are better off helping your homies by helping them find a dream job not on your payroll.</p>Arthur AndersenFri, 29 Feb 2008 15:08:04 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146394<p>Dimmiecrat,<br>The patronage army had to be fed,please do not look behind the curtain all is well here.</p>fed upFri, 29 Feb 2008 15:06:40 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146393<p>Todd's not as bad as the media makes him out to be....and in the same post we see another family member get hired. Yea, that pesky media!</p>NormanFri, 29 Feb 2008 15:04:36 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146392<p>You mentioned the new prospective PR chief is Gene Mullins a boyhood friend. There may be another connection that causes PR and political problems.<br> One Eugene M Mullins, Jr is listed as Treasurer of both of John H. Stroger's remaining active political accounts (Citizens for Stroger and Stroger for President) as well as Friends for Todd H. Stroger; there is also a Eugene Mullins who is Chair of Friends of Todd H. Stroger for President. Friends and family?<br> If the same person, Mr. Mullins may want to explain why over $500k disappeared from the John Stroger committees without any explanation? At the end of 2006, both commitees showed available funds totalling $522,086.45 (check it yourselves at <a href="http://www.elections.il.gov" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" title="www.elections.il.gov">www.elections.il.gov</a>) By the reports as of June 30, 2007 the total balances of funds available totalled only $6,000, with only $6000 in expenditures/transfers out in the meantime. The subsequent report of December 31, 2007 makes no correction. Thus there is $510,086.45 missing and unaccounted for. Mr. Mullins, the Treasurer, can you explain this?</p>DimmiecratFri, 29 Feb 2008 14:58:59 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146391<p>Claypool is lucky he lost in many ways. The reality is that regardless of the patronage problems, the County has serious financial issues that are, in fact, structural. If we were talking about President Claypool we would still be talking about an increase in sales or property taxes. The only alternative would be a massive cut in services. Todd has made numerous mistakes and has made himself an easy target. But the reality would not be significantly different if someone else sat in the President's chair.</p>2for2Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:36:24 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146390<p>Rich is politicking and name calling and demigoging on his electronic graffiti wall like the Madigan guys tought him</p>MuellerFri, 29 Feb 2008 14:31:12 -0000http://capitolfax.com/2008/02/29/being-todd-stroger/#comment-18146389<p>Captain,<br>He isnt there to reform anything he is there to protect and grow the patronage army that his father built. Reform is the last thing on Strogers mind. He feels Crook co. belongs to him and his friends and family much the same way Daley feels that way about Chicago. This is institutional corruption.</p>fed upFri, 29 Feb 2008 14:27:27 -0000