My New Favorite Person, Part I

My fellow Metra riders and I have been on edge since the attacks on women started near our train stop.

A few weeks ago I saw Metra security making the rounds of the parking lots and slowly cruising under the viaducts where the stairs lead to the platforms.

Then of course that was during the day.

But for those of us who ride the 5:43 from downtown and arrive at our destination in the dark, the Mt. Carmel security guard is a welcome sight.

Apparently the lads at Mt. Carmel have had intermittent trouble in transit to or on the train platform. The school thought it was a good idea to hire a security guard to make sure the boys have safe passage.

While I don't know for sure, it's probably a safe bet that he gives the school parking lot the once over as a part of his duties. It makes sense, right?

But I when I exit the train I usually see him either on the platform or on the steps leading to the viaduct/64th street level.

While he dosen't have to stick around to make sure that the local commuters get down from the platform, I think it's awful stand up of him to take a few extra minutes to keep an eye out for us.

I may not know his name but he's my new favorite person.

Fractured Fairy Tale

There once was a lady who lived with her son on the south side of Chicago.

Unfortunately and unbeknownst to them, they lived in an apartment that had lead paint.

The exposure to the poison left the little boy with elevated lead levels in his blood.

So the lady left the building and moved to another place.

I can only assume to raise her child in the safest environment she could find and afford.

Unfortunately for her, the next place at 6959 South Paxton was no better than the first.

Or so the lawsuit allegeds (2008-L-005961).

Quadria Thomas and her son Danais Thomas are not only going after Merrill Square Cooperative and Quality Management Services---the first location; but also Carlton Knight and fellow defendants Walter Thomas and Theresa Thomas owners and/or property managers of the Paxton address.

Mr. Knight, Mr. & Ms. Thomas were the owners of the building where Ms. Thomas and her son “lawfully lived in and/or frequently visited an apartment in the said premises.”

I wish them luck.

I don’t think the esteemed lawyers of Conway & Conway know who they’re dealing with.

Even if they can prove that:

“…The said lead based paint to peel, flake, powder and otherwise deteriorate to the point where it could be and was ingested by the minor plaintiff;”
And…

“Caused other materials containing lead to be and remain on said premises and the apartment occupied by the plaintiffs, thereby creating a dangerous condition;”

And…

“Failed to warn the plaintiff’s parents and/or grandparents of the danger posed by the presence of lead on the said premises and/or apartment, though they knew that minor children were living on the premises.”

I’m mystified on how they’re going to get any type of financial relief.

I strongly suspect that legal shenanigans and delays will frustrate the plaintiffs and their lawyers.

And since a delayed payday is never on a lawyer’s agenda (or at least any lawyer I know), it’s within the realm of possibility that the plaintiffs may be dropped by their legal representative(s).

Leaving them up the creek without a paddle.

But when you think about it, would you really blame the lawyers?

You have a case constantly delayed with little if any chance of finding the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow what would you do?

But I hope against hope that’s not gonna happen.

Because if anyone needs to fight out a lawsuit, it needs to be on behalf of a little boy who’s very sick and was injured through no fault of his own.

I’m hoping for the best but expecting the worst.