SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RESIGNS

Dr. Aisha El-Amin (left) takes the oath of office
on August 20, 2012.  Former Board President
Suzzanne Arnold administers the oath.

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Dr. Aisha El-Amin resigned her seat on the Board of Education for Community Consolidated District #168 it was learned today. El-Amin was appointed by then Board President Suzanne Arnold on August 20, 2012 to fill a vacancy and ran unopposed for election to the two-year unexpired term which would have expired in April, 2015. 

El-Amin was a swing vote in deciding on incoming Superintendent Dr. Donna Leak’s appointment earlier this month.  The vote was 4 to 3 with El-Amin voting with the majority in favor of Leak’s appointment.

Board President Sharon Davenport said she wished El-Amin well and will likely make an appointment to replace El-Amin at the July School Board meeting.  “I want to thank Dr. El-Amin for her service to the children of our District.  Serving on the School Board requires time and dedication” Davenport said.  The School Board positions are voluntary and are without any pay.  The term of the seat expires in May, 2015 and the individual would either stand for election or leave office following the expiration. 

Anyone wishing to serve may address a letter of interest to Davenport for consideration.

CLICK LINK if you're interested in details on complete details on how to apply for the position:  CLICK HERE

VILLAGE SETTLES FEDERAL DISCRIMINATION SUITS

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |   The Village Board of Trustees approved settlements for Chief of Police Timothy Holevis and Sergeant Rebecca Sailsbery Tuesday night.

Lawsuits filed in Federal Court stem from discrimination allegations filed naming former Mayor Lewis Towers and former Village Trustee Enoch Benson.  The lawsuits were filed separately by attorney Patrick Walsh of Elliot Zinger and Associates of Chicago.

The settlements, according to Mayor David Hanks will give a cash payment of $103,000 to Holevis and $65,000 to Sailsbery.  Additionally, the Village will "continue negotiations with Sailsbery" to appoint her Deputy Chief of Police.  The Village taxpayers will be on the hook for the first $100,000 according to the terms of the Village's insurance carrier.

Holevis was appointed Chief of Police by Hanks last year, but still does not have a contract with the village identifying his term of employment.  Under Illinois law, the Chief of Police is appointed by the mayor, with the advice and consent of the Village Board; however, as demonstrated by Towers the mayor has extraordinary powers to appoint whomever he wants without approval of the Village Board provide a position is open.

Sailsbery was identified as the top candidate for Deputy Chief by the REM Group who was brought in to perform loss mitigation by the Village's insurance carrier.  REM was later paid by the Village to search for a Chief of Police, once Hanks appointed Holevis they were requested to search for a Deputy Chief.  REM identified Sailsbery as the top Deputy Chief of Police candidate, however, she has yet to be formally appointed.  Sailsbery previously has served as Deputy Chief of Police up until the controversial appointment of Frank Martin was approved in 2010.

Holevis, Sailsbery and now former Village employee Lisa Gibons filed a joint federal lawsuit, charging among other things discrimination against the Village during Martins brief tenure as Chief.  The Village settled this action for several hundred thousand dollars.

HOUSING COMMISSIONER HOLCOMB UNDER FIRE FOR HIS ACTIONS

HOLCOMB LEFT WITH DAVID HANKS
ELECTION NIGHT 2013

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Sauk Village Housing Commission Chairperson Gary Holcomb crossed the line said resident Leannette Scott who complained about her personal identity articles being publicly published by the Sauk Village Housing Commission Chairman.

According to Holcomb’s Facebook pages, on May 7^th, and his report to the Mayor and Board of Trustees on May 13^th, Holcomb and some of his Housing Commissioners volunteered to clean up a private lot at 22200 block of Yates Avenue.  This long abandoned and neglected home had been the location of illegal dumping for the past two years or more according to neighbors and was abandoned since 2011 according to Holcomb’s report.  This eyesore was consistently brought to light by neighbors and social media posts in an attempt, some claim, to shame the Village into action;  However, their lack of response resulted in only more garbage and debris being added to an already overwhelming amount. 

 

In what some call Holcomb’s “zeal” to make sure the residents of Sauk Village as well as the “perpetrators” can know that his Commission means business, Holcomb appears to have taken it upon himself to post a copy of the alleged “violators’ ” state identification card and her son’s social security card that he found in the massive amount of debris on two social media pages that he controls.  Neither of these documents had been redacted to “protect” the sensitive information from the public according to photos provided to us for this story.

Ms. Scott explained that she is in fact a victim of a crime; “I had my house broken into about a year ago and they ransacked it.  They destroyed my house and took my television and kids games and papers from my home.  Now this man (Holcomb) has stolen our identification and put it out on the internet for any criminal to use.  I feel so violated.”    

 

HOLCOMB holding a sign
stating "No Confidence"
"Reap What you Sow"
Protesting former Mayor
Lewis Towers

Asked how did she suppose her personal information got in the neighbor’s yard?  “Do they really think that I would throw a copy of my personal identification and my son’s Social Security Card out in the trash?  If I did, I have my own garbage can I would have used.  I pay my (water) bill” Scott said.  So how did her identification and her son’s Social Security card get in a heap of garbage next door?  Scott speculates that when her home was broken into, the perpetrator(s) may have dumped what they didn’t want next door with the rest of the garbage accumulating there.  Garbage was close and it was easy. “This man is supposed to be working for our Village, he’s a Commissioner and he did this?” Ms. Scott said. 

Asked if she thought Holcomb should resign for what he did?  “Yes, this was just wrong” Ms. Scott said.  “He doesn’t need to be over the Housing Commission.  He comes to your house he’s rude.   He’s going to tell me what he’s going to do.  The Village, I don’t know, they just need to get it together”  Scott said. 

Ms. Scott came to the Village Board Meeting Tuesday night to address her concerns to Mayor David Hanks.  Ms. Scott explained that she had been warned by Sherry  Jasinski, head of the Village’s Code Enforcement Department, that she was going to be issued a citation for dumping garbage on the vacant property.   “You need to get your kids and go clean up the property” Scott said she was told by Jasinski. “ I’m not going to get my kids and do anything” Ms. Scott said.  “The Village also said they were giving me and my landlord a $500 ticket for illegally dumping. I guess I get to pay for the criminals who broke into my home and stole my personal information and apparently dumped it next door.’   Hanks’ gave his standard response, “I’ll have to check into that”.  Attempts to reach Jasinski for comment this morning were unsuccessful she was not in the office when I'd called and the individual was having problems putting me through to her voicemail.

Ms. Scott said that she has filed a police report with the Village of Sauk Village Police Department and that she has also filed a report with the Cook County State Attorney’s office in Markham.  “Charges are not currently filed”, said Steve Campbell, a spokesperson for the State Attorney’s office. Ms. Scott has not yet determined if she will also file a civil complaint against both Holcomb and the Village of Sauk Village.

“She (Scott) never had talked to me she talked to the Police” Holcomb said.  Holcomb also said that Jasinski and another Code Enforcement officer had taken the photographs, but didn't elaborate on how he came in custody of the photographs.    "Her son told us that he threw the garbage in the yard” Holcomb claims.  “She (Scott) never asked for her I.D.’s back” Holcomb claims.  “Once this information is in the trash it’s public property” Holcomb contends.  Some believe that doesn’t make the actions of what Holcomb did right or ethical as a Housing Commissioner.  One resident said toward the end of the meeting “so if you get your house robbed and they steal things, is it ok to take pictures of your Social Security card and driver’s license and say look what I found”.  When questioned about this violation of privacy, Holcomb, unapologetically, removed his post as of Monday night according to his Facebook posts.   “The ID’s have been removed out of respect for the mother’s request”, he quips but continues with, “by law it was public knowledge once it was disposed of in the manner that it was placed” Holcomb said on his page.

“The Sauk Village police asked me to take down the post” Holcomb said.

SAUK VILLAGE PIONEER CELEBRATES 100

 

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Anthony and Rose (Reichert) Schaller were a young couple in the 1910s and built a farm south of Vincent Sauter’s farm, one of Sauk Village’s first settlers.  The Schaller farm was located on what is now the Northeast corner of Sauk Trail and Mark Collins Drive (formerly Woodlawn Avenue).  The Schaller’s had 4 children, 1 boy Agustin “Gus” Anthony and three girl Kay, Dorothy and Ruth.  Gus being the only son, he helped his father farm the land according to his daughter Marge Muellner.

Gus Schaller also attended District 168 Strassburg School, but it was not the modern marvel it is today.  Back in the 1920s, the school was a one room wood frame structure which was located next to the old St. James Church at the Northeast corner of Sauk Trail and Illinois Route 394.  Gus Schaller’s father served on the School Board for over 40 years and was instrumental in consolidating District 168 with 173 to form Community Consolidated School District 168 following a fire in the 1940s that destroyed Strassburg School.  “We had 11 kids in that school.” Schaller remembered.

Agustin “Gus” Anthony Schaller celebrated his 100^th birthday on May 16^th.

Fathers Krolczak & Conde Concelebrated Mass

 The St. James Catholic Church Community and the family and friends of Agustin “Gus” Schaller came together Saturday evening to celebrate Gus becoming a “centurion”.  Schaller was joined in the church by his 98 year old sister Kay Wysock of Chicago Heights.  A Mass was held at 5pm and a reception followed in Didier Hall with about 150 family and friends.  Reverend David Krolczak, Pastor of St. James Church celebrated Mass and former Pastor Thomas Conde concelebrated the Mass.  Reverend David Simonetti, Associate Pastor also was on hand to present Schaller with an Apostolic Papal Blessing from Pope Francis, to which Schaller’s emotions got the best of him.

Father Dave Simonetti presents the
Apostolic Papal Blessing

Krolzak talked about Schaller, who has attended Mass every day and discussed the history of the faith community which Schaller has been a member.  “He has volunteered for so many years.  He is one of the oldest Alter boys in the Archdiocese” Krolczak quipped, his comments eliciting laughs from the congregation.

Schaller was married to the late Rose Mary (nee Schulte) of Dyer, Indiana who sadly passed away in 2002.  Schaller has four children Ruth (Tom) Nast of Downers Grove, Illinois; Jerry (Lil) Schaller of Ely Minnesota; Marge (the late John) Mullner of Eugene, Oregon and Marty Schaller of Ely Minnesota.

Family members and friend joined Schaller in Didier Hall where he was treated to incredible reception in his honor.  Many historic pictures of Schaller were on display.  Schaller bore witness to many historic changes when the area originally called Strassburg transformed from nothing but farms to a suburban neighborhood.  Where Schaller’s property once was, the Logisticenter at Sauk Village now has risen. 

Gus Schaller receives the framed Apostolic Papal Blessing
from Father Dave Simonetti

Don’t think that this young man is lost in a fog.  I spent some time with him his mind is as sharp as a tack, he has an incredible wit and he just recently passed his annual drivers license test too.  Yes he has his Illinois driver’s license.  Schaller currently lives in Crete, but Sauk Village is still his hometown, even though it never existed long before he was around, and he’s been around the entire time. 

God bless you Gus! 

Relay for Life- "Cancer never sleeps"

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Several hundred participated in the annual Relay for Life held Friday night at Bloom Trail High School McGee Fieldhouse due to the spring chill.

This year's Relay for Life is expected to raise about $40,000 according to Myra Kocsis, Relay for Life Specialist for the American Cancer Society.

"This event is for survivors to celebrate and for those to remember those who lost the battle" Kocsis said.

So why do they walk all night?  "Cancer never sleeps, it's a battle we must fight 24/7" Kocsis said.


There were 26 teams who participated according to Kocsis and the Boy Scouts presented colors
during the opening of the event.  Eagle Scout candidate Lance James was a volunteer committee member along with his mother Tracy James and the following committee members who all volunteer their time Baily McGrath, Darlene McGrath, Jean Porter, Ann Gasik, Colleen Ranieri, Timmy Porter, Tim Porter, Sherry Brill and Juanita Tomlin.

Sauk Village Trustee Derrick Burgess stopped in to lend his encouragement to the event.  His wife Juanita a cancer survivor as well. 

The event turned somber at 9:30 with the lighting of the luminaria and remembering those who lost their battles to cancer.  The track of the McGee Fieldhouse were lined with the names of those who were remembered and readers read each name to a completely hushed crowd. 

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES- Lynda Washington

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  It has been one year now since Freshmen Village Trustee Lynda Allen-Washington-House was sworn-into office to serve the people of Sauk Village.  Let’s take a look back at what the “candidate” Washington said during the elections and what she has done since taking office.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lynda Allen-Washington-House

·         Age:  56

·         Occupation:  Administrative Assistant West Harvey-Dixmoor Schools

·         Married to:  Terry L. House

·         1731 E. 223^rd Place

·         Homeowner/Renter:    Renter

·         Property Taxes Paid:  $ 0.00 per year

·         “approximately” 21 year resident

·         First Elected: April, 2013

·         Term in office Expires:  2017

 

Let’s look back at Lynda and where she has come from, where she’s been the last year and what may lay ahead.

 

Washington took it upon herself to run for office in 2011 and allied herself with what some felt were dubious allies.  Washington, a virtual unknown in Sauk Village, ran with the New Progress Party slate of candidates supported by former Mayor Lewis Towers and former Village Trustee Enoch Benson.  Washington often stated during Village Board meetings “Mr. Mayor you’re doing a fine job”.  Washington was advocating the passage of a Lake Michigan water referendum along with Towers and Benson. Washington came up way short in her electoral experience garnering 382 votes losing by a 3 to 1 margin in 2011.

 

Following the devastating defeat she suffered at the polls in 2011, Washington announced she was divorcing her long-time husband and went about to “remake” her political image.  In an attempt to dust off her association with Towers and Benson and ingratiating herself with villagers such as Gary Holcomb, who sits on the McConathy Library Board and the late Patricia Hasse’s son Tom Hasse who helped tone her down a tad here and there and give her “credibility”. 

 

Washington credits both Holcomb and Hasse for her victory, but keeps most of the credit for herself, after all she did all the hard work.  In 2013, Washington did a bit better than 2011 by garnering 45 more votes than former Village Clerk Elizabeth Zupon and just 81 more votes than her 2011 loss in a crowded field of candidates.

 

Washington set out immediately after her loss in 2011 trying to gain credibility and continued to campaign hard to get elected.  Washington was appointed by one of her supporters former mayor Lewis Towers in November, 2011 as Chairperson of the Neighborhood Watch program. 

 

Washington being put out of the "Independent" Slate's office in 2013

During the 2013 election Washington stated “I plan to work with the other Trustees and Mayor to bring pride and Progress back to Sauk Village.  There are very serious issues that are of great concern to the residents of Sauk Village.  My main focus is Quality Programs for our youth.  Enhancing programs for our Seniors and bridging the gap with more police presence in our community to provide public safety”.

 

Well, Washington has worked with very well with Mayor David Hanks, not asking questions during village board meetings of any substance thus far.  To many of her now former supporters, she has been a disappointment.  “She goes along with whatever the mayor wants and doesn’t ask questions” one resident said at a recent Village Board meeting.  Another calls her a “bobble head”.  “She sits up there ever meeting and just bobbles her head yes whenever the mayor wants something” they said.  While the criticism is nothing new for politicians, Washington is living up to her commitment of not only working with the Mayor but appears to have gone above and beyond her pledge in support for the administrations initiatives, whatever they may be.

 

When asked to do an interview with me about the 1 year anniversary of her taking office, Washington said “I would like for the Mayor to sit in”.  I informed Washington I did not want to do an interview with the Mayor I wanted a one on one interview and her response:  “Regretfully because of the many responses I have gotten from the article you wrote about what I said regarding deputizing citizens… I am not going to be able to interview with you.  I thought it would be cool but I do see as several people pointed out Joe twists things” Washington responded.  Well there is no twisting what she said, nor what she has done and what she has failed to do over the last year.  Residents are left to draw their own conclusions and see the results of her actions or inactions.

 

Washington stepped on a land mine when she suggested deputizing citizens, Police Chief Timothy Holevis responded the next week to Washington’s statement emphatically say there would be no such deputizing civilians on his department.

 

During the election Washington’s “main focus”, so she said, was for quality programs for the youth.  To date there have been no new programs instituted by the Village in the last year nor any suggested by Washington publicly.

 

Washington biggest achievement since taking office has been getting her Neighborhood Watch signs posted at the entrances to the Village.  She did raise the money to cover the cost of the signs through fundraising, so we have been told.  Washington chairs the Neighborhood Watch which was elevated to a committee of the Village Board in June, 2013 by Mayor David Hanks.  Most communities do not have Village Trustees running Neighborhood Watch Programs, most of the time they are run by the residents and work closely with the police department directly.  The Neighborhood Watch Committee meets at the Fire Station. 

 

Washington’s most recent self appointed project has been to get a video together in hopes to make everyone “happy” and forget about all the problems of Sauk Village.  The video will feature the song “Happy” by the artist Pherell Williams.  I’d asked Washington why she’s doing this video, how is this going to help the village she responded because she was tired of the negativity and I want to be happy.  Some long-time residents ask “Why is she so happy?  Our property taxes keep going up, we dodge potholes and our kids have no programs so we have to go to other communities for them to do things during the summer because my child doesn’t play basketball”.

 

We will continue to keep a close eye on Washington as many residents of Sauk Village will also do.  We wish Washington and Sauk Village the best of luck.

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES...

JEFF MORDEN- July, 2012

Jeff Morden
·         Age:  41
·         Occupation:  Truck Driver (Non-union)
·         Married - AnneMarie
·         22102 Brookwood Drive (Bel Aire Subdivision)
·         Homeowner/Renter:    Homeowner
·         Property Taxes Paid:  $3,128.08 per year
·         14 year resident
·         First Elected: April, 2013
·         Term in office Expires:  2015
·         Candidate in 2015: likely (not declared)

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  It has been one year now since freshmen Village Trustees Jeffrey Morden and Lynda Allen-Washington-House were sworn-into office to serve the people of Sauk Village.  Let’s take a look back at what the “candidates” said during the election and what they have done since taking office.

Morden’s mantra was “Putting People before Politics”.  If the “people” are the politicians Morden
was referring to, he has been doing a outstanding job!  He has marched in parades with politicians in Chicago, Richton Park, Crete and Chicago Heights helping out politicians and the last two years Sauk Village has hosted more politicians in their Independence Day parade than you can shake a stick at.

Prior to running for office in 2013, Morden volunteered working with Marva Campbell-Pruit’s Beautification Committee from 2011-2012, helped out former Trustee Robert Chavez in 2011 on the Parks and Recreation Committee and served on Edward Myers’ Ordinance Review Committee.  Morden got involved with Village politics in 2008 and volunteered to help out former Mayor Lewis Towers and his slate of candidates including Village Clerk Debbie Williams, Village Trustees Rosie Williams, Myers  
and Enoch Benson, who ran together on Towers’ slate.
Let’s take a look back to the 2013 election and see where we have come.  Morden ran on the People’s Unity Party slate along with fellow Trustee Edward Myers, the other only victor of the party slate, for a two-year unexpired term on the Village Board.

Morden said during the election:

“Each day I will work harder than the last, making sure we bring positive changes into our community”.  Morden chairs the Beautification Committee and many residents have been asking where are the “positive changes” Morden had spoken about during the election, some pointing to the Village Hall and the condition of the lawn or the shrubs as an example?

“Bringing back ‘Pride and Progress’ is first and foremost at the top of my agenda list” Morden said during the election.   

“Secondly, is doing my part to ensure that all residents have clean and safe drinking water at all times” Morden said during the election.  To date the village has been under a Consent Order by the Attorney General Lisa Madigan to install permanent Air Strippers.   

“Third, is focusing on the infrastructure of the village:  roads, fire hydrants, street lights and water and sewer lines” Morden said during the election.  To date the village has only repaired roads under its routine Motor Fuel Tax maintenance program, only 18 fire hydrants have been replaced of the 63 that do not work, 180+ Buffalo Boxes (water shut offs) cannot be shut off to homes with delinquent bills.

Lastly, helping facilitate more transparency and fiscal responsibility from our local government” Morden said in his candidate statement to Cook County.  Morden has consistently voted along with Mayor David Hanks with only two exceptions.  Morden asks very few questions of any substance during debate and prior to voting on matters leaving the residents of Sauk Village uninformed about what is actually taking place.  During Morden’s time on the village board the Village has not approved their budget on time as the fiscal year ended April 31, 2014 and the Village still has no budget.

Consensus voting lacks transparency as the vote is not taken and robust debate is nonexistent.  If Morden truly wanted transparency, he would demand that a public debate on maters be held.  He would help explain what is being voted on and why he votes the way he does.  Morden votes yes on virtually all matters brought before the Village Board.  Residents need to begin asking  Morden, how are the actions you take, as a Village Board, “transparent” when it lacks an open, honest and robust debate?

Morden had token opposition in the 2013 race making him a “logical” choice at that time to some small minded people and yet to others there was really no other choice. Morden, who is white, had two African-American candidates who were vying for the position.  Morden won with just 51% of the vote last year with virtual unknown candidates Helen Washington splitting the vote with Hope Moody.  Morden’s still received the highest number of votes in the Trustee election.  Morden concluded his candidate statement with the following:  “We cannot afford to get this wrong again”, the question to the residents is did you?

Several attempts to contact Morden for a formal interview were made, however, Morden did not respond to any attempts.

I’m disappointed that I was not able to interview Jeffrey Morden.  Jeff is a good guy and is a hard worker, lack of direction and leadership of this administration have inhibited this Trustee from truly working to his fullest potential.  I wish Trustee Morden well through the next year.  There are many tough questions that need to be asked and I wanted to give Morden the opportunity to answer them.  While some may find this article "critical" is formulated with my point of view and many residents whom I have spoken with over the last year with respect to this Trustee.  I would have preferred to have Morden's view point on matters instead of an editorialized version, unfortunately, that did not happen and history will be told.  Perhaps we can sometime in the future! 

 NEXT UP… Lynda Allen-Washington-House; Ed Myers and Rosie Williams

HANKS HALTS PENSION PAYMENTS

Mayor David Hanks

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  David Hanks made good on his threat to stop payment to the Police Pension Fund.  Hanks notified the public at Tuesday’s meeting that he has notified, through the Village’s attorney, Pension Board Attorney Cary Collins that the Village will not make any payments, including the $1.7 million it has owed the pension fund over the last four years, until the Pension Board gets their audits completed.

 

Hanks borrowed a move out of former Mayor Lewis Towers' play book.  “I have also notified Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart that they (the Pension Board) have not completed their audits” Hanks said.  Hanks said that the pension board has had the same amount of time as the Village to get their audits complete but has “refused to do so”.  The Village still has not completed their audit reports and is currently delinquent for one year still and is due for the 2013-14 fiscal year now as well.  The state of Illinois did not withhold payments to the village for not completing their audits for 4 years.

 

In the past, the Village’s auditors would notify the pension board that they were completing the village’s audit and would also audit the pension fund.  That practice stopped under Lewis Towers and apparently remains the practice under Hanks’ administration as well according to Collins.

 

It is uncertain if the Police Pension Fund Board will sue the Village over the matter since the last 4 years the Village has balanced the budget with the money intended for police pension contributions.  Hanks cited no law which would allow him arbitrarily to withhold funding to the Police Pension fund, and it is also uncertain if Hanks will withhold the amount deducted from police officers pay from being put into the pension fund.