There must be a Dawn that teaches dance that I don't know. The Dawn I know is a great teacher. My daughter loves her. Every recital that she has been in she has loved. Dawn makes sure all the kids in the class get a turn "in the front". I have rarely seen someone visit her class. Just a couple weeks ago she turned a teacher away that wanted her class to show what they've learned because Dawn was practicing the class routine and didn't want them interrupted. I have never seen a "snotty little brat" in any of the classes my daughter has taken. Dawn has an excellent way with children and they respond to her. As far as missing days, geez the woman is pregnant! She may have medical issues that we don't know about and that we don't have a right to know about. Sorry, baby comes first. Every time she has missed there has been a qualified teacher to take over. I also have been impressed with her choices of costumes for my daughter's classes. None have been anything but age appropriate. If they had been I would have spoken up and refused to let my child wear it. And they all have been totally cute! I am also one of the parents that sits in the hall and peeks in. I never drop and go. Maybe ME just thinks her kid is better than the rest and needs special treatment. It's a Park District class, NOT a huge professional studio. Dawn does a good job making all the kids look pretty good despite their ability or talent. People that want diva classes probably should look elsewhere.

Dear Mr. Ed,
Perhaps you should stop whining. I am a teacher and also a taxpayer. I have been funding my pension with my own money just like you. I pay the same taxes as you and your wife pay. It is tough out there for all of us. I find it so interesting that many people who work in the public sector enjoy pointing a finger at the government employees as if we are robbing everyone blind. Too many people whine about what others have without realizing that they have the same opportunity to work for the government as I do. Sounds like you made your choice in career, Mr.Ed, and I made mine. The only difference is that I am not complaining about my choice, nor do I feel sorry for myself and bitter about the benefits others enjoy in the private sector. Why is it that teachers, for example, are expected to apologize for choosing a career that affords certain benefits? Didn't you pick a career that afforded certain pay and benefits package? Why is it wrong for government employees to do the same? Where in the world did you get the idea that the teachers are coming at the taxpayers for more money? Blame Madigan and many of the other big wigs that are controlling the purse. How, would you like to be told that you will be receiving a particular retirement when you contribute 10% of your salary only to be told later that you will be receiving less and need to contribute more? May I suggest that you become better informed, stop drinking the Kool-Aid and start thinking for yourself.

Oh Mr. Ed you really are a horse’s arse. The workers and the local governing bodies have paid what the state required them to pay into the two pension system for government workers. The politicians in Springfield decided to “borrow” that money for everyday expenses rather than raise taxes. Granted the system wasn’t setup correctly but then again neither was the social security system.

Remember how horrible those public workers are when the snow is shoveled tomorrow. Remember those public workers when you turn on the faucet and water comes out. Remember those same jerks when you dial 9-1-1 and someone answers and then that person hands your call off two one or two other groups of that are getting paid off your sweat.

Here’s a question for ya Ed. Where is your fixed income coming from? I assume it is all from your own savings and not the bankrupt social security system that me and my kids will have to cover your underpayment into.

The money has been stolen by those same managers and I am not paying for it.
Take it out of their hide, not mine. Not end scene. Do you live off the sweat of the taxpayer.

Aw, Ed, you encapsulated 50 years of Iliinois tax-fund abuse into a simple paragraph aimed at some of the best public servants, tax-funded employees who deal in more real-world problems and issues than you ever have. You should have paid more attention to your teachers, who were probably on the public payroll. You give Mr Madigan a pass? Well, continue to do so, and you will continue to get what you deserve.

Of course we need to see this. That way Mr. Ed can go on his tirade againstt any goverment worker. Don't you know...GOverment workers should always be paid much less than a private sector worker...that way you get the best people working for the goverment. Isn't that right Mr. Ed? We all need to take 20% pay cuts! Right?

(more to come)

No, they're not very well run. They do have some outstanding programs, and sub-par facilities. They ran a string of public pools into the ground, the two still open continue to lose money year after year. That's a beatiful fenced-in, grass-laden hole they have off 103rd and Central now. They've been rescued by government money time after time: the latest example is the new gym facility they are tacking onto the run-down Pavilion. Which isn't going to save the increasingly-dumpy Racquetball Club. Salaries taxpayers subsidize are public record, and it's a good reminder for those paying into that fund of just where their tax money goes.

Andy, I believe your receiving government money from the taxpayers...how much taxpayer money did you get?

Andy
Do your disability payments come from the "Disability Fairy"? Me thinks I am one of those taxpayers that PotKettle mentioned. How much?

wrong again guys keep trying you'll get it someday

Mr. Ed...Maybe incompetent people like you have 7 jobs. Me..I'm in my 4th. 15 yrs at the 1st before company was bought, 4 months at 2nd before I left because I didn't like it, 4 months at next because company folded and 20" at current job. Don't hate me because I am good at what I do and I unlike others know how to hold a job.

and no, I am not doing this from the job, I am home. I started this morning at 5 AM so I get out earlier than most.

My question to you Mr. Ed...what do you think govt workers should make? Should we just Volunteer our services? or should we make a prevailing wage? I'm not getting rich. I'm just doing my job at a competent level and I expect to be compensated as such.

freddie is right. How else can government employees afford taverns, Sox games and Big Babies if they don't make decent money?

Get ready to take one for the team oldfoggey. You and your ilk are going to get sold out by the very politicians your "hard-earned" union dues helped put into office. You only have yourselves to blame. Feel sorry for you. Hope Walmart will hire you after your pension is cut.

Hey Jacob, "if you have a job" you should thank every Union person you meet. Because of us, you have health benefits (if you work which i doubt you do), a forty hour work week, (if you work more than 40 hrs, and don't get paid for it, too bad that is the career you chose). I think you are ill informed my friend, Unions are not going anywhere. Also, stop being such an asshat because you chose a field of work that doesn't afford you the benefits of Union workers both Private and Public sector.You and others, like to blame the government when its you who made the wrong career path and just want to complain about the job and benefits others get. If you have a problem with that you can come meet me in the Tavern I own, and we can discuss. I think you are trying to insinuate that Union workers are "drunks" I hope you didn't go there because the biggest drunks in my place are so called Business Professionals. Ya See Jacob, union workers have to get up at 5am and be on the job and working by 7am, its kind of hard to do skilled labor, when you are hung over, but I doubt you even know how to change a light bulb or unclog a drain so you wouldn't know a thing about hard work. BTW Typing and Excel is not hard work. And what the hell is your comment about Tavern, Big Babbies, and Sox games supposed to mean? My conclusion on your comments Jacob is this: you're a jealous little cry baby. Times are tough blame union men and women. Its the same old story. Worry about yourself dude..

Hey was that a backhanded compliment?? unkown
blogger??