Daley Gloats About Meigs…

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley was undoubtedly crossed off a few more pilots' Christmas-card lists last Thursday when he marked the anniversary of his destruction of Meigs Field by gloating over it to reporters. The emperor-like mayor said his decision to close Meigs (note the absence of any reference to a collective decision by Chicago's virtually invisible city council) was "one of the best" he's made as mayor. And the original motive for closing Meigs (remember the terrorist threat?) was forgotten in a tirade against general aviation that suggested that a privileged few were denying the masses access to more park space. "I live here and people live here and they want that lakefront," Daley said. "It belongs to them and not to private businesses and not to small planes." Since the bulldozers left, the public has so far been all but barred from Northerly Island. Only two public events -- a fishing derby and a public viewing of the lunar eclipse in November -- have been held there in the last year and there doesn't seem to be too much rush to properly develop the new park. According to the Chicago Tribune, no funding sources have been identified and no timetable established. There are, however, vague assurances from the Chicago Park District. "We are moving toward development of this site and creating additional and increased access to the public," said parks spokesman Julian Green.