Brandon's latest big blunder is CRR
Nothing in Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa indicates he is ready to run Chicago's Park District
On the surface it looks like Mayor Brandon Johnson went out of his way to choose as worst pick possible to take over the leadership of the city’s park district. In naming 35th Ward Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa; Johnson selected someone with no managerial experience to direct the actions of up to 5,000 employees at approximately 600 parks.
Another Ramirez-Rosa shortcoming is all of his public-facing has focused on the Latino community in Chicago; and his involvement with the African-American and Caucasian communities can only be described as limited as best.
As the new head of the park district, he will need to address the needs of residents in every ethnic community, including the two named above, as well as the Asian community.
Even with these shortcomings, his appointment is understandable, but not prudent. He is an overzealous acolyte of Johnson, who recently declared his team members must exhibit loyalty first, competency it appears, is an afterthought if a consideration at all.
Despite being removed as Johnson’s floor leader and chair of the zoning committee, a role some colleagues claimed Ramirez-Rosa used to block some projects or building improvements; he has been several reprieves. Some view his most egregious action came in November of 2023 when Ramirez-Rosa was accused of physically preventing Alderman Emma Mitts of the 37th Ward from entering council chambers to cast a vote on the sanctuary city issue.
He was rebuked by some of his colleagues, as well as everyday citizens. Ramirez-Rosa waffled about the extent of the altercation but ultimately apologized.
Another public misstep occurred in 2017 when he lasted about a week as the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Daniel Bliss. Bliss dropped him from the ticket when Ramirez supported a boycott against companies doing business, s well as investing in Israel.