Harper Court Reflux

The Herald strikes again! I send MANY thanks to Gabe Piemonte and Marc Monaghan for their efforts in posting pictures of Monday night's TIF meeting relating to Harper Court development.

http://www.hpherald.com/breakingnews.html

I asked the presenters (the City of Chicago and the University of Chicago) at the meeting to make their presentation public by posting it on the TIF or University website. They hemmed and hawed about prorprietary information. Of course, they failed to explain why they could show the details in public, but then not make them available to a wider public. Go figure.

And there was Marc Monaghan, all along, quietly snapping photos of the whole presentation. Three cheers, Marc, as well as to the Herald for putting them online.

Now we can have a better discussion at the January TIF meeting, I hope.

Is the University of Chicago run by cretins?

I just got a phone call from a poor student rep at the UC, doing the usual "give us your money" spiel. When I said "not this year," he asked if there were any particular reason. I answered because I was pissed at the University. "Why," he unknowingly asked?

Hmmm.

1. Unnecessary demolition of the community garden at 61st Street
2. The Harper Court debacle
3. Dixie Kitchen (see Harper Court)
4. Hyde Park Theater
5. Massive staff demoralization on campus
6. Staff firings
7. The shallow pretensions of Lipinski, Campbell, and others within the Office of Civic Engagement
8. Their failure to take any stance on Point restoration and preservation
9. Their unwillingness to engage the community in real discussion over development of Doctors' Hospital (what happened serves them right)
10. The casual willingness to support the destruction of Washington Park for the Olympics (with the likelihood of "inheriting" what was left over).

And these are just the issues that come to mind without much thought. I'm sure I could think of 10 more reasons, if I put my mind to it, but I'm too tired of the University to bother. At the moment....

Interesting Pottery

Now that I'm no longer Prez at HPKCC, I can think about other things in my spare time (sometimes), such as the pottery I like to collect and sale. This past week, I found an interesting little saucer that I wasn't even going to buy (for 20 cents), but it was so pretty, I couldn't resist. I figured if no one wanted it on eBay, then I'd just enjoy it.

Isn't it gorgeous? Credit "Ikaros Pottery" of Rhodes, Greece. It seems this pottery has been around since at least the 1920s, but the owners were tragically killed in the 1980s in a car accident. It has unbelievably rich colors, and the style is "majolica" (of the Italian or Faience tin-glaze type).

So I put it up on eBay for $7.99. After 24 hours, there is one bid, 11 watchers, and 2 emailers wanting shipping costs to Greece and Italy. I'm so glad my gut instinct--I liked it--is correct.

Hurrah, Unique Thrift Store at 51st and Kedzie. Always the best!

Some IMPORTANT Meetings SOON

Too many meetings!
Saturday (9/12), 10 to 4, the Hyde Park Garden Fair holds its fall Bulb and Mum sale, at the Hyde Park Shopping Center courtyard.
Sunday (9/13), 2:30 to 4:00, the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference holds its annual meeting, where we elect the new board and say 'farewell' to the old members (me, this year!). We'll have champagne and cake to celebrate (Hyde Park Neighborhood Club, 55th and Kenwood).
Monday (9/14), 7:00, the 53rd Street TIF hosts is bi-monthly meeting at Kenwood High School. We will begin to hear about possible plans for Harper Court. Be there!

Work, work, work

This has been an extremely busy summer, work-wise. That's good, but I'm really sick and tired of teaching computers. Know anyone who wants to buy a productive business with a great client list? Tell them to drop me an email....

Books, books, books

Let's get to work, people! Hyde Park Used Book Sale. We started collecting books today. Drop your books off in the basement of Treasure Island. Come and buy them back on Columbus Day weekend! With the sponsorship of Treasure Island, let's make this a HUGE booksale!

Robert's Rules of Order

I'm rather amused that a local condo association has asked me to intervene in their condo association meetings, to help restore order. Their meetings are being wrecked by bullies who show up and dominate the discussion, harangue other participants, and browbeat the board to the point half their officers are ready to resign.

I've pointed out to them that the best resort for bad meetings is Robert's Rules of Order. There are so many ways this guide can be used to run a productive meeting, but it's invaluable when it comes to "bad" meetings.

Some basic rules that prove useful:

1. There is no discussion without a motion. If you want to talk, you must "move" an action. The motion must be seconded, or it dies. Sit down and be quiet.

2. If the motion receives a second, the "mover" speaks first. This person does not speak again until all other members have had a chance to have their say.

3. Any one participating in the meeting can "move" the motion. That requires a vote, no discussion. If the motion is voted down, it is finished for that meeting. It can be brought up in future meetings, but not in that meeting (technically, it can be re-introduced by someone who voted against it originally, but has reconsidered his/her vote).

Listen to everyone. Let no one dominate.

And minutes do not need to be approved. You cannot reject the minutes. SO all you Hyde Parker meeting holders who request a motion to approve the minutes, STOP IT!