Chicago Sun-Times: City cuts back rat control, forestry services to maintain trash pickups

[marmar]

The Daley administration is making dramatic cutbacks in forestry and rodent control services as it struggles to sweep the streets and pick up garbage amid a two-year hiring freeze and chronic absenteeism.

Lou Phillips, secretary-treasurer of Laborers Union Local 1001, likened Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Tom Byrne to “the little Dutch boy with his finger in the dike.”

“We’re down over 100 sanitation laborers. ... He’s pulling everybody in to pick up garbage. Garbage is their main concern. But, they’re really gonna run into problems on these other services,” Phillips said.

“If there’s a major storm, and trees down, where are you gonna get the people to bail us out? And have you ever seen that commercial where the rats have boom boxes and they’re walking around all dressed up? That’s eventually what’s gonna happen here if we don’t have the people to bait.” ..............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.suntimes.com/4551895-417/city-cuts-back-rat-control-forestry-services-to-maintain-trash-pickups.html

[tularetom]

1. The Daley administration?

What am I missing here?

[marmar]

2. Rahm doesn't take office until May.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

3. Ergo the cutting of rat control.

:hide:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

4. Ha!

[robcon]

5. Have to choose priorities.

The idea of "chronic absenteeism" bothers me, though.