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News & ArtsWednesday, October 7, 2009
Books The Evilest Man in Illinois
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Oct 7, 2009 at 1:40 PM
Slog tipper B has shared a heartwarming story with all of us. It seems that the Oak Brook Public Library has had its funding cut. A little 11-year-old girl named Sydney Sabbagh came to the village board to make a speech about how important the library was to her.
Then Sydney came afoul of the Evilest Man in Illinois! It turns out that the evilest man in Illinois is a 69-year-old man named Constantine "Connie" Xinos.
"Those who come up here with tears in their eyes talking about the library, put your money where your mouth is," Xinos shot back. He told Sydney and others...to stop "whining" and raise the money themselves."I don't care that you guys miss the librarian, and she was nice, and she helped you find books," Xinos told them...Sydney was upset and "her little friend was in tears" after Xinos spoke at the meeting last week, says mom Hope Sabbagha.
"I wanted that kid to lose sleep that night," a grinning Xinos says Wednesday, as he invites me for a nearly two-hour interview in his Mercedes-Benz in the gated Oak Brook community where he lives. "This is the real world and the lesson, you folks who brought your kids here, is if you want something, pay for it."
The whole sickening story is over here and you should read it.
3
"This is the real world and the lesson, you folks who brought your kids here, is if you want something, pay for it."
Horrible!
I'm going to Wretch!!!
Horrible!
I'm going to Wretch!!!
5
I'd like to see see some Chicago Teamsters "interview" this guy, preferably in an alley behind a warehouse.
6
Jesus Christ. The guy makes a valid point but he's just such a prick about it. It's sad that he's not the only one of his kind. So completely disconnected from reality that they think this kind of shit is okay and it makes them 'edgy'.
7
since the library users theoretically pay sales taxes in oak park, THEY DO PAY FOR IT.
they could probably make do with a few less cops.
they could probably make do with a few less cops.
8
So, everyone here is willing to send that library a few thousand to keep it open and rehire the $98,000 a year librarian...right?
11
If you want to see the meeting it will be posted here, I think:
http://www.oak-brook.org
/dep_news
/board_videos.shtml
Here's the library:
http://www.oak-brook.lib.il.us/
(BTW -- you can right click on these http strings in Firefox)
So, lets see, there's about 12 commentors, and we may end up with 20.
So if each of you donates, say $10,000 we should be able to save this thing.
Send your checks to:
Oak Brook Public Library
600 Oak Brook Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
If you want to see the meeting it will be posted here, I think:
http://www.oak-brook.org
/dep_news
/board_videos.shtml
Here's the library:
http://www.oak-brook.lib.il.us/
(BTW -- you can right click on these http strings in Firefox)
So, lets see, there's about 12 commentors, and we may end up with 20.
So if each of you donates, say $10,000 we should be able to save this thing.
Send your checks to:
Oak Brook Public Library
600 Oak Brook Road
Oak Brook, IL 60523
12
@11 While donating is nice, I think we need more sustainable methods of supporting our libraries. Perhaps the Oak Brook could implement some property taxes? I don't know, I'm no Oak Brook-ite, but there must be a better solution than getting rid of senior staff.
14
Connie is not evil. His point is reasonable. Why should the community be charged for the luxury of a librarian? People, even rich people, need to live within their means and prioritize.
The children of Oak Bridge, a wealthy community, won't be harmed. They will have plenty of other avenues to find books.
It's disconcerting that the head librarian makes $98,676 a year. That is a lot of dough. I would not want to pay that much for librarian. Subsidizing the salary of a small bookstore owner rather than a librarian makes more sense.
As for Connie's salty personality, I quote the great poet philosopher, Mike Muir:
"And if I offended you, oh I'm sorry...
But maybe you need to be offended
But here's my apology and one more thing...f*ck you!"
Too bad I'm too poor to live next to Connie.
The children of Oak Bridge, a wealthy community, won't be harmed. They will have plenty of other avenues to find books.
It's disconcerting that the head librarian makes $98,676 a year. That is a lot of dough. I would not want to pay that much for librarian. Subsidizing the salary of a small bookstore owner rather than a librarian makes more sense.
As for Connie's salty personality, I quote the great poet philosopher, Mike Muir:
"And if I offended you, oh I'm sorry...
But maybe you need to be offended
But here's my apology and one more thing...f*ck you!"
Too bad I'm too poor to live next to Connie.
16
Guys like this aren't the problem. My politics are the opposite of his, probably, but I feel he lays it out for us: "This is the real world and the lesson, you folks who brought your kids here, is if you want something, pay for it." Or to put it another way, "if you want to live in a town with something nice like a library in it, then vote for the taxes necessary to pay for it." It's honest, it's correct. He's much easier to deal with than the more typical bullshit which is "Let's vote to cut our taxes to zero. Don't worry, because once the town government wakes up and sets about cutting out all the waste, the town will still have a lovely library."
17
@14 The median income for Oak Brook families is $169,718. The head librarian has years of education and experience, and earns 58% of the community median. Maybe they should fire the fire chief too. It's not like the free market doesn't provide us with fire extinguishers.
18
Oak Brook was established by rich bastards for the enjoyment of rich bastards. The first facility to be put in was the Polo Club, by the grandfather (Butler Paper). The town was developed by the father (Butler Aviation). The son (godchild of Tyrone Power) bankrolled Hair (The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical).
And if you can afford to live in Oak Brook, if you want books you should buy them -- there's a nice Borders at Oak Brook Centre
And if you can afford to live in Oak Brook, if you want books you should buy them -- there's a nice Borders at Oak Brook Centre
19
Yeah, if those richies took some responsibility and properly installed sprinkler systems in their homes they can reduce damage and the need for fire departments. If their home burns down, then maybe that is part of God's plan. Accept it. It's a hard lesson, but life is hard, I know Connie agrees. And if grannie ends up in the hospital with third degree burns, those richies certainly have enough money to cover it because of how hard they worked and saved. And do people in gated communities need police anyway? They should just keep the security company that patrols their neighborhood, otherwise the money is wasted on cops. Turn the library into a private club that bans children, they whine too much and cry about things like needing access to books. This isn't Germany, folks!
Yeah, if those richies took some responsibility and properly installed sprinkler systems in their homes they can reduce damage and the need for fire departments. If their home burns down, then maybe that is part of God's plan. Accept it. It's a hard lesson, but life is hard, I know Connie agrees. And if grannie ends up in the hospital with third degree burns, those richies certainly have enough money to cover it because of how hard they worked and saved. And do people in gated communities need police anyway? They should just keep the security company that patrols their neighborhood, otherwise the money is wasted on cops. Turn the library into a private club that bans children, they whine too much and cry about things like needing access to books. This isn't Germany, folks!
20
No property taxes.
What business did those irresponsible volunteer citizens have bringing a library into the world?
What business did those irresponsible volunteer citizens have bringing a library into the world?
21
This guy might have a loose, wishy-washy point about how people need to "fend for themselves", but to go after a kid? A child, by their very definition, cannot fend for their selves. Not only does he drill into a helpless kid after she had the nerve to stand up in front of a room of well-dressed adults, he brags about it afterward from the inside of his luxury car?! Hey, asshole, if you cared as much for your community as this little girl does, the town would be a much better place.
23
@21, I agree that going after a kid is assholish. I suspect the story in the paper played up the "making a little girl cry" card.
It irks me that a parent would send a young child up to a public podium and then complain when rebutted forcefully. Once you enter a debate, you're open to criticism.
It irks me that a parent would send a young child up to a public podium and then complain when rebutted forcefully. Once you enter a debate, you're open to criticism.
24
oh, and Fnarf, I'm willing to send you an autographed photo if you send me your address. I wish you joy and peace.
26
The bullying dickhead has a point. Libraries cost money, true. They promote literacy, but there's also not much of a lack of access for rich people, either. Still, he could have been much more civil to his future constituency.
The little girl DID learn a valuable lesson: there are grownups in this world who will go out of their way to hurt you just to make a point. Congrats, kid. Welcome to the world.
The little girl DID learn a valuable lesson: there are grownups in this world who will go out of their way to hurt you just to make a point. Congrats, kid. Welcome to the world.
27
The rich should be taxed for being alive. The old rich should have their tax increased with every day their worthless life drags on.
29
I'll bet this fuck thinks schools are a luxury too. He'll probably sue the school system next to close the schools because why should he pay for schools when he doesn't have any kids.
30
Typical Neo-Con dick. I got mine so fuck you is the motto for these pricks. My in-laws are they same way. Don't want to pay taxes? Don't be surprised when everything turns to shit and your kids hate you for it.
Thanks baby-boomers.
Thanks baby-boomers.
31
@23. I'm so sorry, but I'll have to disagree with you on this one. Kids are always off-limits, especially in what should have been a civil discussion. I'm sure her parents didn't force her to go up there, but she may have wanted to, and this jerk had absolutely no tact or respect to chew her out and then boast about it. And the same goes to all of you "welcome to the real world, honey!" commenters, She's 11. She is off limits.
32
Did any of you who are defending the asshole actually read the article? He opposes ANY AND ALL taxes spent on anything other than roads, police, and firefighters. He doesn't want the kids or parents to advocate for taxes to be raised, he wants a user's fee for the library, so his precious paycheck isn't in any way affected. Why else do you think he was sneering at a child who was motivated to act politically? Fuck that guy.
It's also hilarious that Mr. Neocon is a criminal defense attorney. How can he show his face at the country club?
Oh wait, I bet he defends white collar criminals. That must be it.
"This is the real world and the lesson, you folks who brought your kids here, is if you want something, pay for it." Or to put it another way, "if you want to live in a town with something nice like a library in it, then vote for the taxes necessary to pay for it." It's honest, it's correct.
Did any of you who are defending the asshole actually read the article? He opposes ANY AND ALL taxes spent on anything other than roads, police, and firefighters. He doesn't want the kids or parents to advocate for taxes to be raised, he wants a user's fee for the library, so his precious paycheck isn't in any way affected. Why else do you think he was sneering at a child who was motivated to act politically? Fuck that guy.
It's also hilarious that Mr. Neocon is a criminal defense attorney. How can he show his face at the country club?
Oh wait, I bet he defends white collar criminals. That must be it.
33
Dickweed in Illinios and Medina: If you use the community uses the library, the community SAVES money, instead of wasting it on private collections (and contracting a research assistant instead of using the librarian). But rich people are horribly inefficient and shouldn't be allowed to run anything. Look at health care...
34
I know the romantics among you want to think all opponents of public funding are like Xinos, but really, he is one of a very small minority.
35
The only lesson the girl learned is that people are assholes. A lesson to be avoided until, say 13 or 14.
36
@ 32,
Nope, not white collar criminals. Any criminals at all, so long as they have his fee. Commenters dug up some of his cases on the Daily Herald site. He's a typical shyster. He also voted against low income housing because he "didn't want poor people living in his town".... which is ironic because his father was a cafeteria worker and he went to public school and public library to obtain his education.
Nope, not white collar criminals. Any criminals at all, so long as they have his fee. Commenters dug up some of his cases on the Daily Herald site. He's a typical shyster. He also voted against low income housing because he "didn't want poor people living in his town".... which is ironic because his father was a cafeteria worker and he went to public school and public library to obtain his education.
38
@32: Yeah, exactly. He comes out and says he thinks government should do nothing but police and fire. He comes out and basically says he hates poor people and wants them to be kept far away from him. That's why I say, this is guy is honest and direct; he doesn't worry me; he's not the problem. It would be cool if all the far right said this. They would basically get thrown out of government on their asses. How may Reagan Democrats do you think would vote for this guy? When I @16 say he's not the problem, I'm not defending his ideas.
42
41
ooh...
big talk.
stop it!
you're scaring the women!!
seriously.
we know the only thing you know how to do with a baseball bat is fuck yourself in the ass.
the only damage you'll do is pinching your balls under the toilet seat when you sit down to pee...
ooh...
big talk.
stop it!
you're scaring the women!!
seriously.
we know the only thing you know how to do with a baseball bat is fuck yourself in the ass.
the only damage you'll do is pinching your balls under the toilet seat when you sit down to pee...
43
Sorry to break it to all of you, the Librarians at Oak Brook are making an average of 102K a year. The top one is at 138K. There are 9 of them, there are only 8700 people in the town. They are organizing with the Teamsters Union so they can keep the gravy train going. Many libraries run with Volunteer staff just fine. Looking for a few eldery people who can volunteer at the Oak Brook Library. Wiping tables and putting books on shelf skills necessary. Government waste has to stop, these people like many other Government employees are taking advantage of the system. They were once paid lower wages and had great benefits, they now have higher than comparable corporate wages and still have amazing benefits. Shut the gravy train down now!
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