Hairston Kills Bus Stop, Part 2

The Maroon reached Alderman Leslie Hairston on Tuesday and got her side of the story.  The Alderman may indeed be concerned about 4 parking spaces, but this seems to be mostly a protocol issue.  She didn't sign off on the bus stop move. 

I certainly understand the Alderman's motivation here.  Hyde Park did not elect the University and we only (very) indirectly elect the CTA board.  These goliaths don't represent us, but Ald. Hairston does.  She's right to put her foot down.

But does she have to put her foot down so artlessly?  The rationale given to the CTA on Friday was that she didn't want to lose 4 parking spaces.  However, the bus stop was merely moved from one side of the street to the other, so there was no loss of spaces.  Even more important, it's offensive to those of us who ride transit that the needs of four automobile drivers outweigh in her mind the needs of 500 bus riders-- that's the number who use that stop on a daily basis.

Nonetheless, I strongly disagree with the portion of the Maroon editorial stating: "the phrase 'Chicago politics' evokes a far more negative interpretation: bullying and inefficiency. Fifth-Ward alderman Leslie Hairston reinforced this principle last week..."  In Hyde Park, who's usually doing the bullying?  Who's growing increasingly arrogant?

I'd prefer for the Alderman to assert herself-- there's a democratic principle at stake here-- but on a different matter with the University.  Until then, we have the Hollies:

Comments

[DS]

The more I see of Hairston, the less capable I think her. She's more often than not appallingly defensive (that diatribe about East HP to the HP Herald is a perfect example), and her logic seems to consist of, "What is about my [correct] point of view you (the constituent) don't get?" I can't say I'd ever vote for her with any enthusiasm, but then I have that same attitude toward most Chicago politicians.