To the editors:
I’ve finally been frustrated enough by your biased and inept reporting to express my own myopic views.
Did you read Royko’s article on Kozubowski, city clerk, I believe, who has served dutifully and efficiently in his office? Did you comprehend why Washington wants to replace him with one of his own supporters? Is it because Washington is really no reformer at all, but maybe a new political chieftain of a different stripe? Heaven forbid the thought.
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When we talked about Washington’s performance versus Byrne’s performance, where are the outstanding qualities of honesty and reform we listened to in 1983? For all the tax increases Washington has presided over what benefits have we derived? A lower city bond rating, yes? An inadequate police force and an increase in crime statistics? Less satisfied populations in public housing — yes to both? Those minority contractors for city projects, are they coming from Chicago? Mainly no. But Atlanta minority contractors are quite pleased with Washington. When Byrne was in office did it not seem that the initiatives toward a world-class city were worthwhile? What happened to ChicagoFest? What happened to the World’s Fair? Why is Chicago faring less well economically as Boston, New York, and other cities continue to build their economic bases? Ask Harold Washington. I’m sure he has some very lyrical-sounding excuses.
I will support Byrne in this race and Ron Sable in my ward’s aldermanic race. I believe Byrne has been roundly chastised and may be a little reformed herself now. I also contend that Byrne can manage this city more effectively. Of all the candidates running, I prefer Thomas Hynes, and if he gets to the general election he will receive my support no matter who his opponent is. Basically this is because I feel both Byrne and Washington will be divisive factors if elected. We may have some unity if Hynes becomes mayor. Have I disappointed my liberal associates? Not the ones who still think while they speak.
No one has yet suggested Renault Robinson was corrupt, just not capable of doing the job. And, as I noted, even the much-maligned Clarence McClain still hasn’t been indicted for anything, even if he’s not a paragon of reform. Dorothy Tillman? Her comment that racism was the only reason lakefront whites wouldn’t support Washington was impolitic, dumb, abrasive, and half-accurate but hardly racist.
The division in this city has a history: briefly, while counting on black votes, the Democratic Machine systematically fostered segregation in housing, schools, and city services, shortchanging blacks and Hispanics. It would be great for the city to come together, but on what terms? Sending uppity blacks back to the plantation will no longer work. Mindless calls for unity are for many an attempt to turn the clock back to a fictional past that ignores the real problems of the city. It is only by addressing those problems that unity can be created, and I argued that if Washington hasn’t done all that is needed or all that I would like, he at least has taken some significant first steps.
