IT'S ABOUT SAUK VILLAGE STUPID!

By Joseph Wiszowaty
OPINION EDITORIAL |  I have never seen a mayor of any community come out 3 years before an election and announce he’s running for re-election.  Last week David Hanks posted on his social media page that he’s running for re-election, according to information provided to me!  But that’s what David Hanks has become nothing more than a pontificating politician!

Hanks attacks anyone who dares question him, just like a dictator, which is why many residents find it pointless to even attend meetings.  I know because he publicly attacked me during one of his diatribes at a meeting earlier this year, yet I’m still coming and won’t stop.  The funny thing was he said that I didn’t do anything for the village while I was literally growing up in the Village, my question what did David Hanks do while he was growing up in Sauk Village?  I attended Sauk Village schools, played with Sauk Village kids and made life-long friendships with people who were not the same religion, not the same color, not the same beliefs that I had.  He did what during those years?

David Hanks took the time to use the budget process as a political football calling a Special Meeting to parse every word of Trustee Derrick Burgess’ 21 page analysis of Hanks 27 page budget.  Spending  nearly 3 hours politicking instead!  The Bobbleheads of the Village Board Trustees Rosie Williams, Ed Myers, Jeff Morden, John Poskins and of course Lynda Allen-Washington all voted for this nonsensical budget!   Not one offered any solutions, suggestions and some didn’t even mumble a word! All Burgess did was raise questions, all David Hanks did was attack him for doing so.  How dare you Derrick Burgess for questioning King David and his Davidians!  What the hell were you thinking man?

 

I asked Lynda Washington a question about Sauk Village all she wanted to talk about is a not so flattering post that her estranged husband Apostle Terry House posted on one of my pages!  She's not interested in talking about the real issues, after all I've asked her for an interview... I digress!

Since David wants to make this about politics, ok let’s go there!  This Johnny Come Lately has “got this”, FINALLY, after his daddy couldn’t do it, his momma couldn’t do it, his failed attempt in 2005 and he has a handful of some 15 who if he stopped walking suddenly would be a permanent part of his anatomy.

David Hanks is a political opportunist and everyone sees it!  His strategy of divide and conquer served him well from 2009 to 2013, but did nothing to serve the people of Sauk Village.  The divide is larger now than it was when he took office in November, 2012.  He has excluded a class of people doing the polar opposite of what his predecessor did.  So do two wrongs make a right?  No!

When you’re at the bottom of the barrel you have no way to go but up!  Let’s face it David Hanks was an accidental mayor!  He saw the opportunity and seized it in November and again in December of 2012.  Instead of running for re-election, how about work on doing the job and let people decide if you should or should not run for re-election instead of announcing in such an arrogant self-serving manner.  Hanks has been one big disappointment after another. 

To all you Hankettes, Davidians, C.O.W.s, Koolaid Drinkers or just downright stupid people who support this nonsense, it’s not about an election stupid!  It about Sauk Village and your politics shows!

Illinois Attorney General reviewing Travelgate Determination due September 8th

L to R: Rosie Williams and mother Village Clerk Debbie

Williams during a meeting at Village Hall with their

32oz McDonalds drinks... Have you had a break today?

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office issued a letter late Friday (July 25, 2014) stating the following:

"This letter is to advise you that pursuant to section 9.5(f) of the Freedom of Information Act (5 ILCS 140/9.5(f) (West 2012), the Public Access Counselor in the Office of the Attorney General is extending the time period within which to determine whether to issue a binding opinion by 30 business days, to September 8, 2014.  We are extending the time for the issuance of a binding opinion to allow this office sufficient time to conduct a thorough review of the legal issues in this matter...."

The letter was also sent to Sherry Jasinski the Village's Freedom of Information Act Clerk and one of the Village's Attorney Sarah Gallagher who once worked in the Attorney General's office.

We filed with the Village a Freedom of Information Act requesting all information about Village Clerk Debbie Williams and her daughter Rosie Williams' trip to Washington D.C. to attend a Summit meeting in July, 2013, including the individuals who helped fund this "personal trip".  The Village refused to provide any information and did not provide any reason for the legal basis of their denial. 

Since the Village did not comply with the law, we filed a Request for Review with the Illinois Attorney General's office in September, 2013.  In March, 2014 the Illinois Attorney General's office issued a "non-binding" determination (CLICK HERE TO VIEW IAG's DETERMINATION LETTER).  We afforded the village a two week period in order to send information and none was provided.

Since the Village refused to provide the information, we filed another FIOA request with the Village in April, 2014.  The Village, through the Village Attorney's office, refused the request but did not provide a legal basis for the denial and claimed one part was "burdensome".  We provided the Village with response to limit the scope to make the request less burdensome and the village failed to respond.  As a result we filed with the Illinois Attorney General's office another Request for Review and asked for a determination since the Village did not comply with the previously issued "non-binding" determination and a subsequent request.

The Attorney General's office sent the Village a letter stating they wanted to know the legal basis as to why they refused to comply with their non-binding determination and provide all of the information to us.  The Village refused to make a formal response to the Illinois Attorney General's Office.

5 to 1 Village Board approves Hanks' Budget

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  It took David Hanks 4 hours to go through his speed meeting to discuss the 2014-15 budget on June 30th with the Trustees, it took him 2 ½ hours to give his opinion on nearly every word presented to him in Trustee Derrick Burgess’ analysis of his budget Thursday night.

Hanks called the special meeting so he could rebut and nitpick the analysis interjecting his opinion on the matter declaring the numbers “skewed” but not offering any new facts to refute Burgess analysis. 

Hanks said, looking to Finance Director Mohan Rao for approval as Rao shook his head, that his budget follows Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principals and not Generally Accepted Account Principals(GAAP).  (EDITORIAL NOTE: GASB is the source of GAAP used by State and local governments in the United States) Hanks didn’t discuss the differences, if any, between the two at his meeting and some Trustees and Hanks supporters thought that was good point and made sense and bobbled their heads.  (Editorial note:  comparing GASB and GAAP is like referring to a Cop as a “police officer” and “law enforcement officer”... Now if the Village actually followed GASB that would be something!)

Hanks said that Burgess offered no solutions in his analysis, however, throughout Burgess analysis he states the Village Board needs to work collaboratively on long term solutions to these problems.  Burgess said he is just one person and there are five other Trustees and asked where was their analysis to discuss at the meeting? 

Hanks asked why none of Burgess’ concerns were brought up during the June 30^th budget meeting?   Burgess said that he was given Hanks budget on the same day of the budget meeting and had not had a chance to go through the information.

Burgess said after an hour into Hanks parsing each word in the analysis with some residents nodding off “why not just take your vote on this budget, you have no intention of making any changes.  You know you’re not going to make any changes so take the vote let’s move on” Burgess said.  Hanks argued that he wanted to meet with Burgess on Monday but Burgess countered he asked to meet with him and Mohan Rao Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday so that anything we discussed could be brought to the boards attention.  Burgess said meeting at 3:30pm on Monday didn’t afford Hanks any opportunity to resolve any issues before a vote on Tuesday.

When discussion of the now controversial grass cutting grant that the Village’s Housing Commission allegedly received, Hanks said that “it’s not the village’s grant it’s the housing commissions”.  The Village Trustees voted to payout 14 individuals on Tuesday $7,660 of village money.  Burgess said none of this was included in the budget.  Hanks didn’t seem to care saying it was the “Housing Authority’s grant”.  (Editorial note:  The Village of Sauk Village does not have a “Housing Authority” rather a Housing Commission which is a commission of the Village not a separate legal entity permitted to contract services)

After Hanks gave his opinion on Burgess’ analysis for 2 ½ hours he called for the vote on the budget.  Trustees Rosie Williams, Edward Myers,  John Poskins, Lynda Washington and Jeff Morden all voted yes while only Village Trustee Burgess voted no.

Burgess said after the meeting declared the budget “unbalanced” and arbitrarily taking water and sewer money to pay for general fund services.  Burgess cited Illinois law stating that water funds should only be used for the purpose of paying the costs of the water system not snow plowing, not police protection, not for streets, only for water fund services. 

“The Mayor's intentions of pontificating on my budget comments and concerns were not to help the residents of Sauk Village, but to further his politics. While his efforts are focused on his political ambitions, I will continue to focus on the matters that affect the residents of Sauk Village” Burgess said.

Trustee Lynda Washington thought the dialogue was good, but none of the other Trustees raised any questions during the 2 ½ hour long meeting.

(Editorial Note:  Trustee Burgess was citing 65 ILCS 5/11-129-11. "All revenue derived from the operation of a water-supply system, improvement or extension constructed or acquired under Section 11-129-9 shall be set aside as collected and deposited in a special fund designated as a municipal water fund for the particular locality. The fund shall be used only for the purpose of paying the cost of operating and maintaining the water-supply system, improvement or extension, providing an adequate depreciation fund, and paying the principal and interest on the bonds issued by the municipality under Section 11-129-9 for the purpose of constructing or acquiring the system, improvement or extension.”)

WATERGATE SCANDAL GROWS, WATER FUNDS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER REMOVED AND RESIDENTS WONDER

LtoR Housing Commissioners Heidi Parker, Gary Holcomb

and Sharon Nowak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Controversy has fallen on the Sauk Village Housing Commission and calls for investigations have quietly begun.  The new scandal involves the Village's water fund which has been under intense public scrutiny given the Village's past practice of balancing the budget with water funds.  Residents were paying $3.50 per 1000 gallons of water are now paying $7.50 per 1000 gallons and bills have skyrocketed.

At this Tuesday's meeting it was discovered that money was taken from the Village's Water Fund without approval from the Village Board to pay 14 individuals who participated in a lawn mowing program that Housing Commission Chairman Gary Holcomb initiated. 

Village Trustee Derrick Burgess was the one who asked how these contractors got paid.  Finance Director Mohan Rao advised he had moved money from the water fund to pay them.  The Village Board had not taken any action to borrow the money from the water fund and until Burgess questioned the matter nobody appeared to know.  Mayor David Hanks began glowing red after the exchange between Burgess and Rao.

Holcomb was at the center of controversy recently for publishing a resident's State Identification card and her son's Social Security card on his social media pages he controls.  Now Holcomb and his Housing Commissioners are facing criticism over the handling of a $75,000 grant from the South Suburban Land Bank as contractors were rushed to be paid.  The only problem was that the Housing Commission had no money to pay them. 

It was discovered today through a person knowledgeable about the Lawn Mowing Grant that the Village is required to "put up the money first and the get reimbursed through the grant.  The payment does not come from the grant directly but should be paid through the Village" the person said.

HOLCOMB'S ANNOUNCEMENT

Holcomb advertised on his social media page that the contractors "payment is provided through a grant...".  Additionally, Holcomb was the individual who signed the contracts on behalf of the Village according to a contractor who spoke on a condition of anonymity for fear of not getting paid further. None of the 14 contracts were approved by the Village Board of Trustees.  The contractor confirmed that they received their checks from the Village of Sauk Village and at least one Village Trustee was present when checks were distributed according to the informant.  They identified Lynda Washington as the Trustee who was present.



Housing Commission Chairman Gary Holcomb and

Commissioner Larry Stewart

It was also learned last night that at least one Housing Commissioner was removed from their
position.  Larry Stewart was hand delivered a letter signed by Holcomb summarily dismissing him from the Commission stating "with the advice and consent" of the mayor and board of Trustees.  Village officials have taken no formal action to remove Stewart as required by law.

Stewart did not deny he was removed because he may have known too much.  "I can't say if that was the real reason I was removed or not.  They say I failed to provide proof of residency" Stewart said.  Stewart who has suffered some serious medical conditions recently has been in and out of hospitals amassing medical bills and has fallen on tough financial times.  "I guess they just want to humiliate me and rub my nose in my problems" Stewart said.

Governor Pat Quinn signed a law into effect in August, 2013 for a Homeless Person's Bill of Rights in order to protect individuals from discriminatory acts simply because they may be homeless or in transition.  The ironic part is that the only legal authority that any Housing Commission has is to enforce fair housing laws, it turns out that maybe Stewart may need the Commissions help because he may be the one who is being discriminated against under the very act the Commission is suppose to enforce.  Some question that Holcomb and his Commissioners have over stepped their authority and are acting as a Housing Authority.

Stewart said he would ask questions about the money but would never get a real clear answer from Village officials.  Stewart didn't say what action he would take but believes his removal was unlawful as Holcomb has no legal authority to remove him or any commissioner as he did not appoint him nor confirm his appointment.

EDITORIAL NOTE:
Was the law broken?  Did any of the Trustees know about how these individuals were paid?  Did Housing Commissioners know about the Village footing the bill for this?  Checks issued from the water fund to cover the "anticipated income" from a Lawn Mowing Grant without the knowledge or consent of the Corporate Authorities....
  
65 ILCS 5/11-129-11.   "All revenue derived from the operation of a water-supply system, improvement or extension constructed or acquired under Section 11-129-9 shall be set aside as collected and deposited in a special fund designated as a municipal water fund for the particular locality. The fund shall be used only for the purpose of paying the cost of operating and maintaining the water-supply system, improvement or extension, providing an adequate depreciation fund, and paying the principal and interest on the bonds issued by the municipality under Section 11-129-9 for the purpose of constructing or acquiring the system, improvement or extension."
Did it say Lawn Mowing anywhere...?  I didn't see it!

ANOTHER SCANDAL BREWING.... WATERGATE

GARY HOLCOMB (LEFT) AND DAVID HANKS

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  It appears that another scandal is brewing in Sauk Village, and it appears to be the water again a “Watergate” scandal no less!  No not contaminated water but a possible misuse of the Village’s water funds which are restricted under Illinois law and must only be used for the operation of the Village’s water enterprise operations.

The Village’s Housing Commission apparently went out to obtain a grant through the auspices of the Village of Sauk Village as the Commission is not a separate municipal entity.  The grant of some $75,000 according to published reports for cutting grass through the South Suburban Land Bank serving as an intermediary for the State of Illinois.  The problem is that the Village is unable to draw on those funds until sometime in August. 

 

Housing Commission Chairperson Gary Holcomb indicated in a social medial post on June 27^th “Our Grass Cutting efforts had taken a short break while some clarification as to the method of payment to those who are committed to working with us…  The program is scheduled to resume again next week and the first payment to those  who completed their work thus far was made on Friday, June 27, 2014 which is much earlier than the originally and mutually agreed August 15^th date”  as to the method of payment to those who are committed to working with us to get the neglected lawns into acceptable shape.ons as to the method of payment to those who are committed to working with us to get the neglected lawns into acceptable shape. The program is scheduled to resume again next week and the first payment to those who completed their work thus far was made on Friday June 27, 2014 which is much earlier than the originally and mutually agreed to August 15th date.

Village officials voted 5 to 1 to open an account earmarked for the Housing Commission recently in order to deposit funds received under this grant. 

Village Trustee Derrick Burgess questioned Finance Director Mohan Rao if the village received any funds under this grant.  Rao’s response was no, but that checks were already paid to 14 individuals unknown in the combined total of $7,660 according to the accounts payable.  Burgess pressed the question, if the Village didn’t receive any money how did these individuals get paid, Burgess wondered as did a stupified Village Board? Rao said that money was taken from the water fund to pay for the grass mowing and will get repaid once the grant money is received.

Burgess protested stating that the Village Board never approved the transfer of money from the water fund to cover this.  Rao declined to identify who instructed him to take money out of the water fund to pay for a program which was suppose to be paid out of a Grant.  Rao then said “he recommends” that the Village Board borrow the money after previously stating that the Board did not need to take action as it has already been done.

Burgess has requested all information related to the grant and the 14 individuals who received payment.

Village Trustee Rosie Williams came to defend the administration’s action stating that this was a “past practice” to which Burgess responded no nothing like that has happened with his knowledge.  “In the past we voted to borrow any money from the water fund” Burgess said.  Burgess pointed out that the Village Board just borrowed money from the water fund in November, 2013 to pay payroll and that the money was paid back in March, 2014.

Burgess voted NO on the accounts payable Tuesday night, while Williams, Edward Myers, Jeffrey Morden and John Poskins all voted yes and the measure passed 4 to 1 with  Lynda Washington abstaining on her vote, which goes with the majority under law.  Had Burgess not raised he question, nobody would have been the wiser to the matter.

Immediately following the vote, Mayor David Hanks attempted to call for a motion for the Village Board to borrow the money from the water fund, however, the Village Attorney apparently advised that such a motion would be out of order as it was not on the agenda.

 

One longtime village resident said following the meeting "this reeks of impropriety and someone needs to investigate this.  This seems so criminal.  They raised our water rates and now they're doing these questionable acts.  They were so quick to run to the States Attorney and Attorney General when it was Lewis Towers but now that it's David (Hanks) it's all fine?  I don't thinks so" they said.

EDITORIAL NOTE:  We are preparing a Freedom of Information Act Request so that we can ascertain many things!  We will publish our information as soon as we receive this information.  THIS completely lacks transparency!

TRAVELGATE 1 YEAR LATER... ATTORNEY GENERAL "REVIEW" CONTINUES!

DEBBIE WILLIAMS

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  One year ago today the Travelgate Scandal broke in Sauk Village!  As calls for an Ethical Investigation were made following Village Clerk Debbie Williams meltdown during a Village Board meeting July 23, 2013.  Williams, her daughter, Village Trustee Rosie Williams and a senior citizen resident, also a village vendor, attended a Building One America Summit in Washington D.C. funded at a cost of a reported $3,000 by parties whom are still unknown today.

Williams reportedly raised funds to finance her trip using the Village’s website and resources and claimed that this was a “personal trip”.

The Village denied a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain information about the trip in 2013, which led to the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office issuing a determination that Williams and the Village must turn over all records with respect to the trip and all financial information about the trip.  The Village refused to comply with the Attorney General’s determination. 

A subsequent request was filed with the Village in order to obtain the same information, and the Village again refused to comply responding once again through their law firm.  Another request to the Illinios Attorney General was made to force the enforcement of their office’s previous determination has been made.

 

In a letter sent to Village officials by the Attorney General, they wanted to know under what law the Village has refused to provide the information as requested in light of the previous decision they made.  The Village refused to respond to the Attorney General's letter or provide any documentation in an official response.

The Attorney General’s office is expected to issue their determination in the next few days, or they may request a 30 day extension in order to issue a binding legal opinion. 

Mayor David Hanks attempted to use an old binding opinion of Rolland Burris, then Illinois Attorney General’s office in order to keep Robert Fox out as Chief of Police back in 2011. 

Political friend ally and Housing Commissioner Chairman Gary Holcomb, who had videoed Village meetings during Lewis Towers administration was allegedly asked not to publish the video by Mayor David Hanks because it may cause embarrassment to Williams and the Village.  Holcomb has not published his video but has published countless hours of videos of Village Board meetings under Lewis Towers unedited.  A complete copy of the audio of the July 23, 2013 meeting was requested under the Freedom of Information Act and sent to the Illinois Attorney General along with the request for review. 

 

EDITORIAL NOTE:  The Sauk Village People Looking for Answers Now (P.L.A.N.) now videos all of the meetings and puts out the unedited videos on their Youtube and Facebook pages as a result of Holcomb's actions so that people know what is going on.

ILLINOIS RESIDENTS WIN A LITTLE VICTORY - QUINN VETOES FOIA BILL

OPINION EDITORIAL
by Joseph Wiszowaty

Well I don't agree with Governor Pat Quinn on many things, however, he did the right thing by vetoing a piece of legislation that would have restricted people from filing Freedom of Information Act Requests.

To charge an ordinary citizen $100 for a request for information flies in the face of responsible government!  News media, such as myself, would have been exempt from the nonsense legislation, but ordinary citizens would have had to belly up the dough!

So GOOD JOB Governor Quinn!

Imagine, if people couldn't afford to fight city hall because in order for you to get your facts, you have to shell out $100 first!

I have sent in numerous FOIA requests such as the one which is with the Illinois Attorney General because the village has refused to honor Madigan's office's previous demand for Sauk Village to turn over all documents relating to the Travelgate Scandal.  This scandal has exposed Village Clerk Debbie Williams and her daughter Village Trustee Rosie Williams solicitation of what they called "donations" using taxpayer resources so they could take a "personal trip" to Washington DC last year!  So far the Illinois Attorney General begs to differ, this was not a "personal trip" and full disclosure was requested and .demanded in a non-binding opinion in March, 2014.

Good Job Pat Quinn... allowing private citizens access to information and exposing corruption is important!

STORM LEAVES VILLAGERS IN THE DARK

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Many residents and businesses were left in the dark during the day Tuesday after Monday night's storms that battered the area.

While damage was minimal throughout the village, fallen tree branches brought power lines down in some areas of the village. 

A Village Board meeting had to be cancelled Tuesday night as there was no power at Village Hall.

Power was restored to some areas of the village Tuesday evening as Commonwealth Edison crews were out throughout the night trying to restore power.  Some areas remained without power late Tuesday.  ComEd gave no estimates on when power would be fully restored.

Many residents were scrabbling to figure out what to do with food in their freezers while others were more creative hosting cook outs with neighbors.

There was some flooding associated with Monday's storm, flooding basements.

The Sauk Village Fire Station was staffed to serve as a cooling center according to village officials. 

The McConathy Public Library and Village Hall were closed to the public all day Tuesday.  Village's water operations and Police Station were normal as emergency back up generators provided power.