NO CONFIDENCE: RESIDENTS BEGIN CALLS FOR HANKS RESIGNATION

OPINION EDITORIAL
By Joseph Wiszowaty
How can someone get it so wrong?   Mayor David Hanks has been Mayor since November, 2012 and has been on the Village Board since May, 1999 some 16 years now and yet he still doesn’t get it.  He suppose to be working for all the people of Sauk Village, not just a small handful!

Hanks has been on a whirlwind trying to ramrod all these changes and votes down the Village Board’s throat, and the Bobble Head 5 are going along with it.  Just like Pat Quinn was doing on his way out the door of the Governor's office!  Trustees Ed Myers, Rosie Williams and Lynda Washington apparently do not give a damn about what the public think and about all that has been going on.  Apparently they think Hanks is doing a “fine job”.  REALLY?  Let’s go back two weeks ago when Hanks lost 2 of his Bobble Heads John Poskin and Jeffrey Morden.  The loss of 2 incumbent trustees has not happened since 1971!  Apparently they didn’t get the message but I assure you they will hear the people in 2017!

So let’s recap the missteps and blunders this administration has made in just the last few weeks (I could go on and on but this is just a small recap):

1-      They hurried to create two political positions and without any public consideration, in a move reminiscent of Lewis Towers.  Hanks did this in anticipation of the April 7th election and how it might not turnout his way.  Hanks appointed his handpicked appointee and the Bobble Heads voted 5 to 1 to approve it!  Towers only wished he had the Bobble Heads that Hanks does!  Closed Door Politics at it's best here!

2-      Hanks’s new political hack was intended to replace Veteran Chief of Police Tim Holevis and Holevis is forced to retire after serving the People of Sauk Village for 30 years!  Holevis didn't want to retire and wanted to continue to serve as chief but was forced into an early retirement.

3-      Hanks and his Bobble Head 5 plan on ram roding Kurtz Dispatch down the throats of Sauk Village Taxpayers with virtually NO PUBLIC INPUT and closed door meetings and no input from the Sauk Village Police or Fire Departments!

4-      Hanks now apparently plans on Demoting Deputy Chief of Police Rebecca Sailsbery and hiring his own political hack to become Chief of Police, again in a move reminiscent of Lewis Towers!  Hanks condemned Towers move to bring in an outsider stating at the time that the Village “cannot afford it”. 

5-      The 2015-16 Budget.  Hanks has not publicly released any information on his secret budget process, despite the fact that his nemesis Trustee Derrick Burgess has been asking for months about the Budget.  Well Hanks plans on jamming the budget through with his 5 Bobble Heads before the new Village Trustees are sworn in!  So Hanks plans on getting the budget voted on in 22 days (or less) with virtually NO public input or review!  For the record Hanks didn't get a vote on the Budget until July of last year!   (Editor Note:  50 ILCS 330/3 "....Such budget and appropriation ordinance shall be prepared in tentative form by some person or persons designated by the governing body, and in such tentative form shall be made conveniently available to public inspection for at least thirty days prior to final action thereon. Provided, that in townships such tentative ordinance for purposes other than the road and bridge fund shall be prepared by the board of town trustees. At least one public hearing shall be held as to such budget and appropriation ordinance prior to final action thereon, notice of which shall be given by publication in an English language newspaper published in such municipality, at least 30 days prior to the time of such hearing."

6-      Hanks releases figures on the Village’s General Fund deficit showing virtually NO DEFICIT!  This is a complete lie!  Hanks is confusing the General Fund Deficit with the Village’s Accounts Payable Aging Report (the bills not yet paid).  After 16 years you would think this dunder head would have gotten it right?

He’s not done yet!  Nope Hanks actually plans on running for re-election and announced that he is running and did so in 2014!  Is this really the direction you wanted to go with the Village?  If the last 60 days has been any example of the leadership of this administration, imagine what the next 6 years could be like!  If you remember Lewis Towers and how things were done, you got that right! 

I believe Larry Steward had it right, it’s time for David Hanks to go.  It’s time for the people to start demanding Hanks's resignation!

Pride, Arrogance and Entitlement have brought you to where you are Mr. Mayor!