City employees are spirit of Chicago

Mayor Daley wants the entire world to believe Chicago is a first class city, a city with a great lakefront, breathtaking skyscrapers and beautiful parks and museums.

But he has forgotten one important element in his pitch to the International Olympic Committee in Chicago's bid for the 2016 Summer Olympics.

"Chicago works" because of the 34,000 city employees who come to work everyday to help make Chicago the great city that it is.

Chicago "is" a first class city, with first class city employees who pay city taxes and donate their time and money to worthy causes.

When are city employees going to be recognized for the hard work and dedication that they bring to Chicago?

What awards have the Daley administration given out to city employees who go beyond the call of duty everyday, only to be looked at by superiors like they should be privileged to even have a job working for the city.

The Spirit of Chicago is not just some cruise ship docked at Navy Pier. It's the people cleaning the sidewalks and streets.

It's not just blues or deep dish pizza. It's the people who drive the buses and trains to get you to that Cubs or White Sox game. It's the person who took the time to help find that book you were looking for at the Chicago Public Library.

"Yes, we can" be a first class city to the world. But no more talk about layoffs and furlough days. Chicagoans and city employees deserve better.

The Chicago Star logo was designed to help promote the 2016 Summer Olympics in Chicago. The Chicago Star is supposed to be a symbol of hope. But if we can't afford the people who keep this city operating, how can we ever hope to be a host city for the 2016 Summer Olympics?

William J. Booker

Chicago