Mayor Daley's farewell tour stops in Edgewater

This past Saturday morning, I had the chance to stop by Bromann Park at Broadway and Balmoral for Neighborhood Appreciation Day. I arrived about 10:30, and the Mayor was fashionably (?) about 45 minutes late. I would estimate around 75-100 people were there in anticipation of hearing the Daley speak Daley appeared rather suddenly, being whisked out of the back seat of a black Ford Crown Victoria. In the above photo, he's greeting outgoing Alderman Mary Ann Smith. Shortly after, he took to a podium staged in the center of the park.


Daley began by thanking Carol Ronen, the 48th Ward Democratic Party Committeewoman. He went on to extoll Edgewater's diverse population, and stressed that Chicago is a city for families. He mentioned the time he spent in China, and what he had learned by observing Chinese school environments. He touched on the benefit of the lake's proximity to the city, and referred to it as a "sacred treasure." Next up was a brief discussion of TIFs, which can be a polarizing topic to say the least. Daley focused on the positive aspects of TIFs, reminding the crowd that the building of playgrounds are often funded by TIF, as are the renovations of police and fire stations. He described TIFs as the city's last econonic tool, and that we should take advantage of them. Next up he mentioned the Broadway Armory, and what a great asset it is for the neighborhood. Rickover Academy at Senn High School was also mentioned, and Daley touched on the initially controversial decision to bring it to Edgewater. Rickover is now nationally acclaimed, and Daley seemed proud of the Academy's accomplishments.


Daley closed by saying that he has absolutely no regrets, and has loved every minute of being Mayor. His closing remark was that it has been a great honor and privilege to serve the city.