OPINION EDITORIAL - There's a rumbling in Sauk Village! Indeed a rumbling! Many voters are fed up with Sauk Village's Mayor David Hanks, Village Clerk Debbie Williams and the treacherous-trio of Bobble Headed Trustees Rosie Williams, Lynda Washington and Ed Myers! This was easily seen in the 2015 election as not a single person endorsed and supported by David Hanks or Debbie Williams won election to the Village Board! Nor did a single candidate supported by Hanks and Williams garner even 40% of the vote in 2015! The voter apathy was a telltale sign of the exasperation of the residents of Sauk Village over the abject failure of the Hanks/Williams administration. Somehow this group have gotten the idea that the Village is their own personal fiefdom.
Many residents, including long-time residents, are fed up with the abuse of their authority, the political theatrics and circus atmosphere and are sick and tired of paying the Mayor and Village Clerk a salary when meetings are routinely cancelled and the business of the Village is not getting done in an open and transparent process. Keep in mind, these individuals were elected to hold OPEN and PUBLIC MEETINGS, identify issues facing Sauk Village, share solutions to those issues and vote IN PUBLIC for the solutions they have, reach out and compromise and working together! Yet the residents and taxpayers do not see this happening from this administration and his allies! These individuals are not lobbyists supporting one group or another, they were. elected to represent all community members. Clearly they have failed in their duty and their oath! If the residents want to attend a show or a sporting event they could very well go to the movies or a sporting event. Seeing the childlike theatrics of Hanks with his condescending attitude and contempt for Village Trustees he does not agree with is outrageous! Hanks' predecessor never conducted himself in such a childlike manner, and I never agreed with how he handled village business or issues facing Sauk Village.
Supporters of David Hanks, Debbie Williams and the treacherous-trio of bobble heads believe that cutting Village Meetings to only two per month; a 40% reduction, is a "cost savings initiative"! While I agree it will reduce the Village Trustees stipend, it would only be fair that the Mayor and Village Clerk should "give back" the identical percentage of their salaries. Traditionally, Trustees are paid for 5 meetings per month (2 board committee, 2 board meetings and 1 trustee chaired committee) at $125 per meeting that they "actually attend" (emphasis added on "attend") for a total annual savings of $18,000. So, if the Mayor and Village Clerk volunteered to "give back" 40% of their salaries, Hanks reduction in pay would save taxpayers some $7,600 per year and Williams reduction in pay would save the taxpayers another $6,800 per year saving the Village a total of $32,400! All of which could be given to Parks and Recreation for programs! BUT! Now we would see if these two really cared about "cost savings".
Village Board meetings are business meetings and should not be used as a bully pulpit for Hanks and Williams to pontificate nor an acting stage for Lynda Washington's play! REALLY A PLAY? Hanks and Williams supporters believe that the 3 Un-Trustees that don't support Hanks should not be paid because they offer no viable solutions for the Village's problems. My question to them is: What "viable solutions" have David Hanks, Debbie Williams, Rosie Williams, Ed Myers or Lynda Washington proposed? Nada, None, Zilch! The Village's General Funds Deficit continues to grow, the Village's finances are an absolute mess, David Hanks' treasurer is indicted and he's still on the payroll, Village Employees continue to file grievances and lawsuits that are instigated by David Hanks himself!
Hanks has had total control of the Village Board and the Village since 2012...What improvements have been realized in the Village since then? Where are the solutions to these problems that he and his supporters constantly squawk about? For some strange reason, they blame the 3 Un-Trustees. So who is to blame for Sauk Village's steady decline? David Hanks, Debbie Williams and the treacherous-trio of bobble heads!
You better believe there is a rumbling in Sauk Village and the taxpayers are definitely restless! The residents' of Sauk Village signed and filed a petition of NO CONFIDENCE in this administration, the very first ever filed against a Mayor by the People of Sauk Village! The lack of confidence contributed to the tidal wave that swept two bobble heads out of office in 2015. As this administration's antics continue into 2016, they can expect a tsunami in 2017 that is aimed to sweep this garbage out of office and give the residents of Sauk Village a CLEAN START and a chance at a new beginning!
EDITORIAL NOTE: I would like to thank the supporters of David Hanks and Debbie Williams for inspiring this editorial. A loyal reader sent me a diatribe posted on social media.
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