Takeaway…

For those of you wondering what key takeaway emerged from Joe Fredrick’s WTIP County Update interview with County Administrator Jeff Cadwell–fittingly on April’s annual practical jokes day—here’s a brief synopsis.

Joe: Referring to the proposed jail expansion…

“So what about the numbers? Do you have the cost-benefit numbers available for people to see?”

Cadwell: “We really don’t because we haven’t determined exactly the scope of what the project will be and what the program will be.” [And yet, Mr. Cadwell’s preoccupation with moving forward–prior to the infamous March 21st public meeting–was self-evident… numbers or not!]

Joe: “But I thought, Jeff, in the conversations that you and I have had and at some of the board meetings, that there was a cost-benefit analysis available… that was a springboard for the conversation… that this was the best path forward? So what happened to those numbers?”

Cadwell: “I’m not going to be able to provide numbers that are going to satisfy people who are looking for numbers that say this makes sense.” [What I’d term transparent absurdity!]

Joe: “Okay, then let’s talk about the capital plan. Does it seem appropriate at this stage, with the increase in levies in recent years, to have some of these capital plan projects on the table even at this point?”

Cadwell: “I don’t tie the two together.” [Say what? Ludicrous!]

“Um… I would… I don’t know that people have actually seen it but if you go back and you look at the summary budget data from the four years before I got here and you see that… county spending is actually going up slower since I’ve been here.” [Glaring falsehood! It’s called finagling the numbers; characteristic of this administration.]

“As we’ve talked, the new normal for operating expenses is not going to be zero or two or three percent. If you look at the county… at the statewide average in county levy increase last year it was 4.7. Um… and people understand that the cost of living up here is higher than it is in other places in the state, which means our cost of providing services is higher than it is in other places in the state. So 4.7 is the statewide average. We’re probably going to be above that.” [Untenable position… not able to be maintained or defended against attack or objection!]

Joe: “And lastly, in the last few minutes that we have here, I just want to talk to you a little more personally about some rhetoric out there in the community right now, basically saying, ‘time for Jeff Cadwell to move on. It just isn’t the right fit.’ I’m just wondering, Jeff, your reaction to some of those comments and just the overall atmosphere here in the community about you specifically and county business?”

Cadwell: “Well, Joe, one of my great disappointments with this community and those individuals–because I see those comments–is not one of those people has ever taken the opportunity to come and have a conversation with me.” [Who qualifies as “people”?]

“Um, people in this community will talk about people, they will not talk to people… there’s a whole lot of people just takin’ shots and who will not engage, who are just attacking. And um… and it’s hard, and it’s tough. And they know who they are. And ah… it’s not my place to say anything, um… (long pause).”

“You know all the personal atta… none of those people know what the county administrator’s job is. They don’t… I’m not responsible for any of this.” [Delusional… a quirky belief that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument!]

So what’s the conclusive takeaway?

More of your hard-earned dollars, that’s the real “take away”!

Former Cook County Commissioner Garry Gamble is writing this ongoing column about the various ways government works, as well as other topics. At times the column is editorial in nature.