By Cate Plys
A modest proposal: If the council is reduced, it’s imperative that we keep the few aldermen who make City Council meetings fun. Here are nine picks from the current council. Future aldermen can audition for the part as vacancies occur.
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Burke hasn’t been indicted for any of the alleged conflicts of interest or ghost-payrolling charges swirling around him. But if he were indicted and convicted, they’d have to pass an ordinance allowing incarcerated felons to serve in the council via closed-circuit television. Otherwise, the council might as well shut down. His many specialties include smirking happily in his front-row seat while being attacked by fellow aldermen or booed viciously by a hostile council audience. In December ’95, protesters suddenly erupted during a meeting, shouting at Alderman Billy Ocasio. “And Merry Christmas to you too,” Burke called as the protesters were led out by security guards.
- William Beavers
Doherty has to stay because he’s the only Republican, the instigator or foil for any bipartisan humor. At the first meeting after Republicans swept Congress in ’94, Daley called on Doherty: “Chair recognizes Alderman Doherty as the only person who’s happy today in the council.” Doherty’s especially good at speeches thanking retiring colleagues for help when he was a council freshman. Here he’s honoring now-indicted former alderman John Madrzyk in 1994: “John Madrzyk was a good friend of mine when I was a freshman. First year in the council, John came to my office and said, ‘Kid, anything I can do to help you, let me know.’ He also one time, I lost my temper with someone that I thought had done me wrong. John knocked on my door and he came in. He says, ‘Hey kid.’ He goes, ‘This ain’t for real. You gotta take the time to relax or you’ll never last.’ And that was probably the best advice I got from anyone down here.”
- Burton Natarus
“Well I’ll repeat it,” said Natarus belligerently.
