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09-07-2006, 10:36 AM #1
Daley slams landlord for kids that died in fire
Daley slams landlord where 6 died in fire
September 7, 2006
BY FRAN SPIELMAN City Hall Reporter
The landlord of a Rogers Park building where six children died should have known that the hardworking family of Mexican immigrants was living without power since May, and he had a moral obligation to do something about it, Mayor Daley said Wednesday.
Daley lashed out at landlord Jay Johnson three days after a fire at 7706 N. Marshfield killed more children than any other fire in Chicago since 1964. Officials say the blaze was touched off by a candle used to help light a three-bedroom apartment that had no electric power. It apparently was shut off because the bill wasn't paid by the family.
The deaths of five children from the Ramirez family and a toddler staying with them have touched the hearts of many people -- with donations pouring in to cover funeral expenses. And it has touched a nerve with Daley.
"This woman [existed in] May, June, July and August with candles in her apartment. Someone has a responsibility [to help] -- the landlord or the engineer or his representative in that apartment building," Daley said.
Pressed on whether the landlord's responsibility was a legal or a moral one, the mayor said, "Morally, more so."
Neighbors apparently knew
Johnson responded to the mayor's broadside by repeating the same statement over and over: "When a tragedy like this happens, everyone is upset; it's a horrible, horrible tragedy. Everyone is responsible. If there's a solution, we want to be part of the solution. We will partner up with the mayor's office or any other department to find that solution.''
Neighbors were apparently well-aware that electricity to the apartment had been cut off because the Ramirez family had tried without success to make a connection in the hallway or an adjoining apartment. But Johnson has been quoted as saying he was not aware of the family's situation until after the fire.
Pressed on when he knew that the family was living without power, he said: "We're still investigating everything.''
ComEd officials have said they are prevented by law from sharing information about a customer's account, so the utility could not alert the landlord about the power cutoff.
Help with funeral costs
Daley saved some of his ire for Ald. Joe Moore (49th) -- for suggesting during a TV interview about the fire in his ward that the Ramirez family's plight was an example of why Chicago needs the big-box living wage ordinance. "That's a great tragedy, and I regret that someone tried to inject politics into that . . . that's totally irresponsible," said Daley, who has threatened to veto the ordinance.
Moore, who backs the measure, said: "My intention was to talk . . . in terms of the general importance of people having living wages so that people who have full-time jobs are able to pay their utility bills."
Meanwhile, funeral arrangements were made for the dead children. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Weinstein Funeral Home, 1300 W. Devon. Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at. St. Jerome Catholic Church, 1704 W. Lunt. All six children will be buried in Maryhill Cemetery, Niles.
The funeral home, casket and vault companies and Catholic Charities are helping with the costs, estimated at $6,000 to $7,000 for each child.
Contributing: Rummana Hussain
fspielman@suntimes.com
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09-07-2006, 11:37 AM #2
So Mayor Daley thinks every landlord in this country is morally obligated to pay the electric bills of their irresponsible tenants? What an ass!
Perhaps this tragedy should make Mayor Daley feel morally obligated to consider taking Hazeltons lead and put some ordinances in place which include preventing landlords from renting to illegals.
The truth is many of these people lived happily without electricity in their home countries and, unlike most American citizens with children, dont consider living without it a major hardship during the warm months.
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09-07-2006, 11:50 AM #3
That's exactly what one call in person said on the radio Greyparrot. She had lived in Mexico doing some social work and it's pretty much normal. They cook outside and take cold showers. If you can't afford something and you have to make choices, they must have felt this was something they could live without.
But to blame the landlord? I might say if the dad died and the mom lost her job and had been plagued with medical bills......to be nice he might.....but they were both working and had all sorts of assistance.
One caller called in and said she's surprised they haven't sued the candle company because the warning about leaving candles un attended might not have been printed in Spanish.Join our efforts to Secure America's Borders and End Illegal Immigration by Joining ALIPAC's E-Mail Alerts network (CLICK HERE)
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09-07-2006, 11:51 AM #4
I agree with you GP.
As tragic as this is where is the parents responsibility in all this? Or is it ALWAYS someone else's fault as "I'm not playing politics" Daley suggest??[b]Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder.
- Arnold J. Toynbee
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09-07-2006, 12:02 PM #5
I say it's Daleys fault HE is the Mayor and took an oath to protect his cities people. He should personally pay.
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09-07-2006, 12:11 PM #6She had lived in Mexico doing some social work and it's pretty much normal. They cook outside and take cold showers.
One caller called in and said she's surprised they haven't sued the candle company because the warning about leaving candles un attended might not have been printed in Spanish.
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09-07-2006, 12:22 PM #7
Daley is so quick to point fingers. Why wasn't he aware that their electricity was cut off? Since he's the mayor isn't he morally obligated???
This landlord could have a few hundred tenants, is he supposed to go around each month and see if their electric meters are spinning??? What about the water, should he put his ear up to the door to listen for flushing toilets?? Then there's the sewer....
This family was probably paying the rent and never came up on this landlords radar.
What a horses behind Daley is to be blaming this guy.
Why would you leave a candle burning aftre you go to bed??<div>Thank you Governor Brewer!</div>
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09-07-2006, 12:24 PM #8
Note the part where they tried to connect to electric other then there own that also could have caused a fire.
Though this is tragic I don't see how the blame could possibly be pointed at the landlord. Thats just stupid.
Think of how many other illegals are probably doing the same as these were. Think of all the lives at risk.
Think SEND THEM BACK TO WHERE THEY BELONG!
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09-07-2006, 12:52 PM #9
Can't wait till January and the controlled freeze on electric will be gone. They figure our bills will double if not triple after that, and they weren't a bargin to begin with.
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09-07-2006, 08:08 PM #10
Daley wouldn't have said a word if they had been anybody but Hispanic. These fires happen all too often and there is never any comment. It's the parents fault, plain and simple. To blame anybody else is just plain stupidity and irresponsible.
Laura Loomer - Woke up this morning to a @nytimes article...
03-27-2024, 11:36 PM in General Discussion