CHICAGO — On Sunday, former Mayor Richard M. Daley’s 74th birthday was celebrated on WLS-AM (890) with a half-hour audio extravaganza reliving some of “Da Mare’s” greatest moments in front of a microphone.
It was like a birthday gift to Chicagoans presented by the City Hall Press Corps dean, Bill Cameron, on his weekly public affairs show, “Connected to Chicago.”
In case you missed it, here are some of the best things that former boss ever said:
♦ Daley had the perfect response to news reports alleging that cops used potty breaks to cheat on promotion test by comparing answers in the bathroom.
“You can’t go in your pants guys. Gimme a break,” Daley said.
♦ Daley explained to Sun-Times reporter Fran Spielman that he was always willing to make changes when needed:
“We have a lot of alternatives. A lot of alternatives. One thing you do, you have a lot of alternatives. You look at a lot of alternatives. There’s A, B, C, D, E, F, G, L, M, N, O, P,” he said.
♦ And even though he knew at least that much of the alphabet, Daley had trouble with spelling.
“That is state money. Underline that. S-A-T-E money.”
♦ Daley used colorful descriptions to explain strong opinions about enforcing sanitation standards at local restaurants:
“Oh, you don’t want a mouse in your sandwich. We’re not closing them down. They’re closing themselves down.”
♦ Speaking of food, Daley loved guacamole but couldn’t pronounce it: “Glockamole, no, I like Glockamole. Glockamole is not dangerous and it’s very good for you.”
♦ Daley had a strange way of explaining the city's decision to financially support business development projects: “We’re putting money in the skin with the economic stimulus package.”
♦ On the topic of corruption, Daley once misspoke this truth: “I think everyone is for corruption. Both in the private and public section.”
♦ When the Hired Truck scandal rocked City Hall in 2004, the former mayor said: “It’s embarrassing. And that’s why I’m making steps. I’m looking at the issue. I’m not afraid to run away from it.”
♦ My favorite Daley comment of all-time targeted the backside of watchdog reporter, Mick Dumke, during his days at The Reader.
Holding a gun with a bayonet, Daley told Dumke, “If I put this up your butt you’ll find out how effective it is.”
Absolutely, classic Daley.
We're all lucky that Cameron was rolling tape ... and still is.
Bill Cameron, the dean of the City Hall press corps (left), and former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
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