Tom Tunney Just Doesn't Get It...

  So I'm watching the news and I hear Alderman Tom Tunney going on about how he needs to study the proposed "Fenway Plan" that the Cubs have on the table to try and renovate Wrigley Field going forward.  Judging by Tunney's choice of words, he's in full CHA mode and once again, the Cubs are being made to kiss the political ring of a power broker who enjoys making his most lucrative tenant jump through hoops.  Hearing the soundbites on one of the local broadcasts from business owners around Wrigley, it seems like they've been drinking from the same cup of self delusion that Mister Tunney has been drinking from lo these many years.  One owner said that the so called Fenway Plan, which calls for shutting down certain drags around the park on game days, would cripple the small businesses surrounding the park itself.  Do said business owners realize that Wrigley Field is the lifeline OF their small businesses.  I believe that one of the pieces on the evening news estimated that the Cubs, for an 82 game season, bring in around 600 million in overall revenue.  I'm not saying Wrigleyville would crumble into economic oblivion if the Cubs packed up and left but I guarantee you, the small businesses who feel kept out of the loop by the so called Fenway Plan, would be on the same news broadcast bemoaning the Cubs for taking their goblet of revenue and going to less politically tinged pastures.  And if the Cubs DID leave Wrigley Field, how could you blame them?  It's obvious that Alderman Tunney just doesn't get it.  For that matter, it doesn't seem like his constituents get it either.  It simply hasn't registered with Alderman Tunney and his constituents that Wrigley Field has increased the property values around Wrigleyville at least ten fold over the past decade or so.  Yet, year after year we hear Tunney and his constituents react to every Wrigley based renovation plan or every proposed addition as though the park is an eyesore.  I must say, that's one valuable eyesore that's sitting at the corner of Clark and Addison if it's pulling in anywhere close to 600 million in annual revenues.  So if Alderman Tunney continues to be obtuse and Tunney's constituents continue to function under the assumption that their area will still be profitable sans Wrigley Field, then Tom Ricketts should go all It's A Wonderful Life on them.  Tom Ricketts should show them what life would be like if Wrigleyville didn't have its most visible tenant anymore.  If Tom Ricketts were smart, he would find a parcel of land and build a new Wrigley Field somewhere else.  I know it's a sacrilege to even think about the Cubs moving away from Clark and Addison but the more Tom Tunney stonewalls the Cubs from making Wrigley Field economically viable,  the more it becomes obvious what Tom Ricketts has to do and MUST do.  As Tim Robbins sang in his political mock-u-mentary, Bob Roberts...... and they complain and complain and complain.  Keep complaining Mister Tunney.  Keep complaining Mister and Misses Wrigleyville constituent.  One day, the lightbulb will pop on inside Tom Rickett's and he will do what needs to be done.  And then... cue the band... Tunney and the rest of Wrigleyvilleits will complain and complain and complain.  And you know what, I wouldn't shed a tear for them.  Not a one.  As Joni Mitchell said.... "you don't know what you have until it's gone."  Let's just hope that Alderman Tunney and his constituents are listening.