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Politics 101 hit county taxpayers

The recent award for the construction of a West Side parking lot by partisan Democrats of the Cook County Board deserves one more level of taxpayer scrutiny - "big-time."

The award was given to the highest bidder at 32 percent high.

The rationalization reported was based on consideration of the "contractor's experience."

Any well managed government organization has a basic obligation to taxpayers to follow a few simple steps. This gets dry - but hang with me (it's your money).

Construction Projects 101: You first make an intelligent evaluation of the eligibility of the prospective bidders (experience).

Once eligibility is determined, you develop a set of firm specifications clearly stating what the requirements and expectation of the project are. All bidders must comply with minimum specifications which levels the playing field.

The assigned project engineer progressively examines the work and ensures the specifications are being met. Any issues arising must be corrected in accordance with the specification.

This is not just common sense; it's Business Ethics 101. Low bid wins the project, not the company that has donated to the political party.

Contentious debate is good for taxpayers. Corruption is not.

Our county board (less responsible dissenters) basically rammed a good ol' boy project through the system and will continue to do so until they get voted out.

Jerry Bromley

Schaumburg

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