VILLAGE OFFICIALS FILE FALSE TREASURER'S REPORT

SAUK VILLAGE |  Village officials may have falsified the Village's Treasurer's Report according to official Village records.  Village Clerk Debbie Williams certified the Village's Treasurer's Report which apparently was void of two individuals who have been on the Village's payroll since 2015.

JW Fairman and his assistant former Northlake Mayor Reid Paxson are nowhere on the most current year's Treasurer's Reports.  Fairman and his consultant company JW Fairman LLC or perhaps JW Fairman LTD were hired by Mayor David Hanks in the wake of the Village election in 2015 during the lame-duck session.  Fairman or his consultant company are reported earning $100,000 per year while his part-time "assistant" is paid $25,000 per year.  Fairman, his company and Paxson are not found on the most recent Treasurer's Report.  "All employees and vendors" earning over $25,000 are required to be listed on the report according to Illinois law.

 

Fairman receives a state and Cook County pension, and it is unclear if his "full-time" employment with Sauk Village would impact those pensions and if the omission was intentional.  Fairman was a prison administrator for Cook County jail and retired.  What is clear is that village officials did not list Fairman and Paxson on the Treasurer's report, yet all other Village employees, contractors and vendors are listed out on the report (***CLICK HERE TO VIEW REPORT***)

Both Hanks and Williams have been criticized by residents and three of the six Village Trustees for the lack of transparency and in 2016 both were admonished with a petition of No Confidence signed by 652 residents.  Williams most recently had her petitions challenged for Village Clerk among many other reasons, because she accepted a check from a village vendor for her so-called "personal trip" to Washington DC in 2013.  Williams said on July 23, 2013 at a Village Board meeting that she paid for the trip with her own money, however, a Freedom of Information Act request clearly showed she did not.  The Electoral Board in January of this year, which included Hanks and her daughter Rosie Williams, voted 2 to 1 to keep Williams on the ballot. 

Williams may still face charges from the Cook County States Attorney for failing to report money she received on her Statement of Economic Interest which is required under Illinois law.

"I do not understand how they keep getting things so wrong" a long-time resident said.  "The Village Treasurer gets indicted and pled guilty to Federal charges and these guys keep getting away with crap like this" they said.

The Village Treasurer, James Griegel appointed by Hanks in May, 2013 was arrested in January, 2016 and later Federal charges were filed against Griegel for embezzlement of Police Pension Funds.  The Village has not had a Treasurer in place doing the job since January, 2016 when Hanks put Griegel on "paid" administrative leave.

***UPDATE*** March 28, 2017:  At Tuesday's meeting JW Fairman's advised the public that we were correct that there was an omission was corrected and the Village has filed an amended Treasurer's Report!  We applaud their effort at Financial transparency in government!  

WHERE IS THE AUDIT...AGAIN?

SAUK VILLAGE |  In the footsteps of the criminal charges and a plea agreement for embezzlement by the Village Treasurer James Griegel, the Village has yet to complete and publish its audit reports.  Per Illinois law, the Village's Audit Reports were due October 31, 2016; however, the Village filed for an extension with the Illinois Comptroller's Office until December 26, 2016.  The date has come and gone and now the Village faces fines from the Illinois Comptroller due to delinquent audit reports.

Sauk Village has had a history of delinquent audit reports and Mayor David Hanks blamed it on the Police Pension Board for causing the delay at a meeting November 1, 2016.  The Police Pension Board denied at that time they were the cause for the audit delay. "We require information from the Village regarding payment to the fund for withholding of contributions from the members and pensionable wages for the members.  It took multiple requests, dating back to July (2016), to receive the proper information from the Village.  The final piece we needed to complete the IDOI (Illinois Department of Insurance) report was received on 10/21/16 where it was determined a withholding payments was incorrectly sent to the Fire Pension Fund instead of to the Police Pension Fund."  according to the Pension Board.

The Village Board approved a payment to the Audit firm last week from September, 2016 in the amount of $21,000 which could have been the delay in receiving the current audit report.  It was also learned that some of the Village Trustees, not all, authorized taking over $2 million from the water fund without a public vote, which in previous audit reports it was reported by auditors as being inappropriate to do.  Trustees Derrick Burgess, Kelvin Jones and Cecial Tates stated they did not authorize moving money.  Burgess said according to Illinois law a public vote should occur even if consensus was given to do so.

The Village's Finance Committee, chaired by Trustee Rosie Williams-Biag, has not addressed the Village's audit report nor given the Village Board any updates as to when the Village Board and the public will receive last year's audit as the Village is due to begin a new Audit as the fiscal year comes to a close in April. 

The Village had been denied a grant from the Illinois Housing Development Authority for $75,000 and the Housing Commission Chair said it was due to social media post, particularly "YouTube"; however, the prior Audit Report indicated that Village officials mismanaged the grant and one village official used an ATM card to make a cash withdrawal for the grant which is a violation.

Hanks was so excited that auditors finally completed audit reports form 2009 to 2014, which in many successful communities these are done annually without much fanfare.  

BURGESS STILL WANTS ANSWERS ON $2 MILLION TAKEN FROM WATER FUND

Trustee Derrick Burgess

SAUK VILLAGE |  Village Trustee Derrick Burgess, who is a candidate for Mayor in April, again called on his fellow Trustees to be identified to see who authorized taking money from the water fund.  It appears that the amount that Mayor David Hanks and Trustees he controls have authorized taking from the water fund has grown to well over $2 million based on Freedom of Information Act requests.  Hanks refused to answer the question publicly despite Burgess pressing the matter public again.  Hanks said that the information was supposedly emailed to him, however, Burgess wanted the names of the individuals publicly stated which Hanks refused.  Both Burgess and Trustee Kelvin Jones said they never received such an email from Hanks.   

Burgess said that anytime money is borrowed by the Corporate Authorities, a public vote is required and that the administration is not following the law.

Trustees Rosie Biag, Lynda House, both mayoral candidates in the upcoming election and Trustee Ed Myers, who is running for re-election sat again silent with heads down as Burgess pressed the issue demanding an answer.  "Who gave their consent to do this" Burgess asked multiple times.  Still Hanks wanted to move on with the meeting as his allied Trustees played mute and dumb.

Hanks has called his budgets "balanced", however, has routinely raided the village's water fund with the support of Trustees Biag, House and Myers.  Water funds are intended to fund the water department operations, however, the water funds have been depleted to a dangerously low level according to Freedom of Information Act requests. Trustees Burgess, Cecial Tates and Kelvin Jones each voted "NO" to the Village's Budget in 2015 and in 2016 declaring them "unbalanced and irresponsible". 

The prior Village Board, which Hanks was a Trustee at the time, took action in November of 2010, and passed an ordinance to block the mayor at the time from arbitrarily taking money.  The ordinance, at that time required the Village's General Fund to repay the money borrowed from the Water Fund.  Rosie Biag said at that time "that the Board is informed when funds are borrowed in order to keep a record of what amounts need to be paid back" according to the official village record. 

Hanks himself stated in November, 2010 “that it should be made clear that these funds were borrowed temporarily to meet payroll and it is the intent of the Board to pay those funds back” according to the official record.

BURGESS DEMANDING ANSWERS AS $1.8 MILLION DRAINED FROM WATER FUND

SAUK VILLAGER NEWS- Requested this information

through the Freedom of Information Act.  The Village

does not routinely put out information to the public which

necessitates requests for routine information.

SAUK VILLAGE |  Village Trustee Derrick Burgess, a Mayoral candidate, blasted fellow Trustees on Tuesday night for remaining silent while the Village's water fund is being drained without accountability and proper oversight.  According to a Freedom of Information Act request submitted by the Sauk Villager News, the administration of David Hanks has taken $1.8 million from the water fund, including over $600,000 in just the past 60 days!

At Tuesday night's meeting Burgess asked Mayor David Hanks and the Trustees he controls, multiple times “which trustees gave you their consent to withdraw money from the water fund and when,  since there had been no meetings and no public vote requesting the withdrawals” Burgess asked. Trustees Cecial Tates and Kelvin Jones emphatically confirmed that neither gave any consent to move or borrow any money.

However, Trustee Rosie Baig, Trustee Lynda House, both mayoral candidates in the upcoming election and Trustee Ed Myers, who is running for re-election sat virtually silent with heads down as Burgess pressed the issue demanding an answer.  "Who gave their consent to do this" Burgess asked multiple times.  Still Hanks wanted to move on with the meeting as his allied Trustees played mute and dumb.

As you may recall, Burgess, Tates and Jones each voted "NO" to the Village's Budget in 2015 and in 2016 declaring them "unbalanced and irresponsible".  Hanks and the Trustees he controls insisted the budget was balanced.  End of story, let's move on, said Hanks after each annual vote of consent.

The Village Board took action in November of 2010 to block the mayor from arbitrarily taking money

Ordinance Passed by votes of Rosie Williams, David

Hanks, Ed Myers and Derrick Burgess November

9, 2010- But no such action required with the

current administration

from the water fund and passed an ordinance

[1] requiring the Village’s General Fund to repay the Water Fund.  Trustee Rosie Williams said at that time “that the Board is informed when funds are borrowed in order to keep a record of what amount needs to be paid back” according to the official village record.[2]

Hanks himself stated in November, 2010 “that it should be made clear that these funds were borrowed temporarily to meet payroll and it is the intent of the Board to pay those funds back” according to the official record. [3]

"When you don't have a balanced budget, then have to borrow $1.8 million dollars with no public votes by the Board of Trustees, I have a problem with that" Burgess said, "and so would the residents if they knew.  Under Illinois law, a village can "borrow" money from another fund, however, the fund must be paid back before the end of the fiscal year," Burgess said.

"Our Finance Committee chaired by Rosie Baig doesn't report anything on this matter.  But she can pontificate forever about things of minutiae.  The Finance Director is commanded by David Hanks not to attend meetings so he can answer questions.  But he (Hanks) believes we should vote on accounts payables without getting answers?  He's out of his mind" Tates said.

Now the Village's water fund is owed $1.8 million from the Village's General Fund, over $800,000 has been drained off the water fund since the end of October, 2016 until the end of December (a 60 day period.

Burgess's demand for information regarding the accounts payable which totaled over $1 million dollars went virtually unanswered by Hanks as he could not answer where the money had come from to pay for employees' pay raises and retroactive pay for contracts that were voted on at a prior meeting.  Burgess, Tates and Jones voted no on the accounts payable as Hanks refused to provide answers while Baig, House and Myers voted yes and Hanks broke the tie.

---

[1] Ordinance 10-047

[2] Village of Sauk Village official Village Board Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2010

[3] Village of Sauk Village official Village Board Meeting Minutes of November 9, 2010

WATER FUND GETTING DRAINED - $2 MILLION GONE

Freedom of Information Act Request

General Ledger- Sauk Village

SAUK VILLAGE |  The controversy goes on with Mayor David Hanks and the village trustees aligned with him as they continue to authorize use of money from the water fund to plug up an unbalanced budget.                                                                                              

Trustees Derrick Burgess, Cecial Tates and Kelvin Jones voted not to approve the budget which Burgess called “irresponsible and unbalanced” at the time.  All evidence seems to indicate that Burgess was in fact correct, the budget clearly was not balanced.  The remaining trustees who routinely support the Hanks voted to approve the budget following the mayor’s tie-breaking vote in May, 2016.

According to a recent Freedom of Information Act request it was revealed that nearly $2 million dollars has been deducted from the water fund.

When Hanks took over as Mayor the Village did not owe anything to the water fund according to a FOIA request from August, 2016. From July, 2016 until the end of December, Mayor Hanks and the trustees he controls have increased the amount they have taken from the water fund from $1.3 million to $1,853,358.76. 

Water fund monies are supposed to be used for water related issues including replacing aging and leaking water mains, broken fire hydrants, etc.  In July, 1985 the late Village Clerk Nancy L. McConathy filed suit against the Village of Sauk Village for improper use funds.  The of law suit was settled following her death in 1986.  As part of the settlement the Village agreed to not use water funds for making payroll of non-water related personnel. The village had previously assigned a title to an employee so that employee could be paid from the water fund.

Mayor Hanks ordered Director of Finance Mohan Rao to not attend Village meetings following the indictment of Hanks’s Village Treasurer James Griegel.  Residents have routinely complained about the lack of transparency at Village Hall including Tuesday night when Judy Cast reiterated “there is no transparency”.  Hanks has also forbid Director of Public Works Kevin Weller from attending village meetings along with Community Development Director Sherry Jasinski.

Residents of Sauk Village voted to change to Lake Michigan Water rather than well water in March, 2012.  To date there have been no new pipes installed to reduce the water loss in the Village.  Water rates have more than doubled or 114% increase from $3.50 to $7.50 per 1000 gallons of water.  An incremental increase occurred which went from $3.50 to $5.50 per 1000 gallons to “break even” and then an additional $2.00 increase was to cover the “debt service” for the permanent air strippers.   The State of Illinois has “forgiven” most” of the debt, however, water rates remain at the same level.

The higher water rates would have allowed the Village to amass a $2 million dollar surplus in the water fund in just over a couple years, however, there is no surplus as it was eaten up by mismanagement of the Village’s finances.  The Village Administration has no plan on repaying the water fund for the so-called loan.

It is not legal for a Village to “borrow” money from the water fund to pay for General Fund services without paying it back (and with no intent to pay it back) within the same fiscal year!  65 ILCS 5/8-1-3.1 “Sec. 8-1-3.1.The corporate authorities may borrow money for corporate purposes from one fund for the use of another fund providing such borrowing shall be repaid within the current fiscal year…”

CLICK HERE TO SEE ACTUAL FOIA REQUEST

CLICK HERE TO SEE FOIA FROM AUGUST, 2016

CONTROVERSIAL CANDIDATE DEBBIE WILLIAMS FACES CHALLENGES

CHECK PAYABLE TO DEBRA WILLIAMS

Copy of Exhibit from Anderson v Williams

obtained from FOIA and Illinois Attorney General

Binding Opinion

PETITION CHALLENGER SAYS PROCESS IS RIGGED

SAUK VILLAGE |  The incumbent Village Clerk Debra Williams faces a formal challenge being filed by former Village Trustee Francine Anderson against Debra Williams's name being certified to be placed on the April, 2017 ballot.

Anderson states in her 33 page objection, among several other matters, that Williams accepted a check for $500.00 from the Village's Attorney Odelson and Sterk for her trip to Washington DC. for the Building One America Summit which began the "Travelgate" scandal.  Anderson contends that since the Office of the Illinois Attorney General  determined that the trip was in her "official capacity as Village Clerk" that the money should have been rightfully deposited with the Village and consequently, Williams owes the money to the Village.  Anderson cites the Illinois law and Illinois Supreme Court ruling stating that a person cannot be a candidate for office if that person owes the Municipality money.

Anderson also objects to certain notaries on the petitions filed by Williams as Williams notarized some of her own petitions as did another notary who signed Williams's petitions a violation of State law according to Anderson.  Anderson claims in her objection that this would leave Williams without the requisite number of signatures to have her name as a candidate for Village Clerk and she should not be certified for the ballot.

Williams, who could not afford to pay for the trip to Washington DC on her own dime in 2013, has  apparently hired a high profile downtown Chicago attorney to defend her to keep her on the ballot.  Anderson is stating that there is a blatant show of conflict of interest in the Electoral Board process if they should allow Clerk Williams' daughter, Trustee and now Mayoral Candidate Rosie Williams to continue to be a part of the Electoral Board process with charges against her mother.  Anderson filed a motion to recuse or exclude Rosie Williams from the Electoral Board and Debbie Williams is fighting that challenge as well.

"At what point do you say that this entire process is rigged" asks Anderson?  "When you have the daughter sitting in judgment over her mother, you know which way that is going to go", Anderson said.

Williams's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the entire matter at last week's hearing and Anderson expects that the Electoral Board will likely vote to dismiss the matter.  "Well, when you have an electoral board that is clearly biased, the results are a foregone conclusion" Anderson said.

"We will immediately appeal the electoral board's decision if they vote to dismiss the matter.  Rosie knows better, but this goes to show you what kind of ethics that this family has", Anderson said. 

The matter is being presented before the Village's Electoral Board at 6pm tonight at Village Hall.  The Electoral Board is comprised of David Hanks, Rosie Williams and Trustee Derrick Burgess who will also act as the "temporary clerk" during the proceedings since Clerk Debbie Williams is the subject of the challenge. 

Marva Campbell-Pruitt

While Williams may be on the April ballot, she will face a formidable candidate and the outcome of the election is anything but certain.  Marva Campbell-Pruitt has filed proper nomination petitions for Village Clerk and will challenge Williams one-on-one this April.   Pruitt did not challenge the validity of Williams' nomination petitions; however, she does intend on beating her at the ballot box.  Williams failed to gain 50% in a crowded field of candidates in 2013 but won a majority of the votes cast for her re-election bid.  Pruitt believes that the residents have "Williams fatigue" and are ready for change and to restore faith and trust in the office of Village Clerk.

Pruitt is running as an independent candidate for Village Clerk and said she is ready to restore confidence in the office of Village Clerk once more.  Pruitt plans on running a "progressive" and grass roots campaign for Village Clerk.

Pruitt currently serves as Vice President of School District 168 and revitalized the Village's current Beautification Committee in 2009 bringing back the time-honored "Hootsie Award" and annual village-wide clean up campaign. 

CLICK LINK TO READ MORE

CLICK LINK TO READ BINDING OPINION ISSUED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL

DAVID HANKS- 2016 SAUK VILLAGER PERSON OF THE YEAR

SAUK VILLAGER PERSON OF THE YEAR! This award is established to honor a person who has made a significant impact to or for the Village. Just as Time Magazine had honored Adolf Hitler and Joe Stalin in 1938 and 1939, respectively and most recently named Donald Trump for 2016 as their persons of the year, I choose David Hanks as the Sauk Villager's Person of the Year 2016. David Hanks' announcement in September to retire from politics may be the most significant single impact to the Village’s future!

This announcement was the biggest and most historic announcement of the year in Sauk Village and was cautiously and hopefully expected by many. (CLICK HERE to see Video)  (CLICK HERE- to read the story) It could be the impetus for voters to bring to an end the Village's continued political turmoil which began back in May, 2009. 

Hanks fell into the office of mayor on the heels of Lewis Towers' disgraceful resignation on November 8, 2012.  In Towers' wake, Towers left a trail of financial woe; leaving over $1,000,000 in unpaid bills in addition to a General Fund Deficit totaling over $1.2 million. Credit is to be given to the then sitting Board of Trustees who were diligent in preventing Towers from illegally using the $3 million balance in the water fund.  David Hanks and the Trustees that support him, however, have managed  to erase that $3 million reserve by voting for the same illegal usage of the water fund that they were so diligent in preventing Towers from doing.  As a result, this lame duck Mayor will likely leave office with over $1.7 million owed to the water fund, in addition to over  $1 million in unpaid bills. 

Hanks financial incompetence was further exacerbated when he appointed his staunchest trustee supporter, Rosie Williams to the position of Finance Committee Chair, after two of his Trustees loss their re-election bids in 2015.  Hanks, with the help and guidance of Trustee Rosie Williams, have been using water fund revenues to pay for expenses unrelated to water, causing an even greater fund balance deficit of nearly $1.7 million today!

The Village has been on a steady decline since 2013 because Hanks has had full control of the Board of Trustees and they have historically voted in lock step for every major decision that affects the Village. Even with Hanks' appointments of a Village Administrator, an assistant for the Administrator, his Finance Director and appointing him an assistant, with all this manpower, the village should have expected a vast improvement over its finances.  Instead, the Village's financial staus is on the brink of insolvency!

The Hanks' legacy will be marred by other questionable and scandalous events; too many and too big to mention here.

But today Hanks gets the honor of being 2016 Sauk Villager's Person of the Year for announcing he would retire from politics and more importantly, for keeping his word!

Past Honorees:
Click the links below to read those stories

2015 - Senior Pastor Rev Melody Seaton, Grace UCC

2014 - Dr. Donna Leak Superintendent 168

2013 - Derrick Burgess, Village Trustee

2012 - Alan Stoffregen, Fire Chief

2011 - Robert Chavez, Sr., Village Trustee

HANKS CALLS IT QUITS AFTER ONE TERM

SAUK VILLAGE |  Mayor David Hanks announced Tuesday night that he will not seek re-election in April, 2017.  This comes as Trustee Derrick Burgess has planned an announcement to declare he is a candidate for Mayor on Saturday 2pm at the Village Café 1699 Sauk Trail, Sauk Village.  One thing is certain, in May, 2017, Sauk Village will have a new mayor.

Hanks will become the second mayor in Sauk Village to serve only one term as his predecessor Lewis Towers resigned during his first term with just 6 months remaining on his term in 2012.
Hanks also vowed he would not run for Mayor at that time and endorsed Derrick Burgess only to abruptly "change his mind" going back on his word.

Hanks' administration has been plagued with controversy during his time in office.  In 2015, all of the candidates Hanks backed for Village Trustee lost including two incumbents, Jeff Morden and John Poskin.  Hanks also received a petition of no confidence signed by 652 residents calling for him to take action or resign from office.  The Sauk Village rank and file of the Police Department filed a letter of No Confidence in the Administration of David Hanks.  There are currently pending two Federal lawsuits filed against David Hanks by village employees claiming he has retaliated against them and discriminated against them because they are women.  To date, Hanks had not addressed the concerns voiced by the resident of Sauk Village.

At the end of Tuesday's Village Board Committee Meeting Hanks read awkwardly from a prepared statement "Tonight, I’m informing the residents of Sauk Village that I will not be seeking re-election as your Mayor and will be retiring from politics at the end of my term in 2017".

Hanks did not state why he decided to not seek re-election but many residents point to the fact that the Village has been under a Federal Investigation following the scandal of James Greigel, the Village Treasurer who is charged criminally by the Federal Government and is awaiting indictment for embezzling money from the Police Pension Fund.  The Village also is being investigated for improper use or application of a Federal Grant according to documents filed in Federal Court.  "Hanks has been feeling the heat" one long-time resident said.

Hanks called his appointment of Robert Kowalski as one of his best achievements calling Kowalski the "best" chief of police Sauk Village has ever had to chuckles by many longtime residents. 

Village Trustee Lynda Washington-House is joined by Rosie Williams-Baig, who have voted in lockstep with David Hanks since taking office, have announced they are running for Mayor.  Williams immediately announced she was running on an internet blog.  Wiliams-Baig was covered in controvery along with her mother with the Travelgate scandal soliciting money from village vendors to take a so-called personal trip to Washingto DC.  Williams-Baig said she too would retire from politics in 2017, but like Hanks she apparently has "changed" her mind too.  Washington and Williams seats are up for election and should either lose they will not be back on the Village Board and they cannot run for both Mayor and Trustee.  Nomination petitions are currently out as of Tuesday.

HANKS CLOSES DOWN TRANSPARENCY AS GRAND JURY INVESTIGATES

 SAUK VILLAGE|  Residents will need to get use to less transparency at Village Hall because of Mayor David Hanks' order to the Village Finance Director, Public Works Director, Village Engineer, Village Attorney and Community Development Director not to attend any further Village Board Meetings.

Hanks' move comes despite a Federal Grand Jury apparently hearing matters regarding embezzlement from the Police Pension Fund by current Village Treasurer James Griegel and fraud involving Federal Grants.

"Never before has a Mayor ordered department heads to not attend public meetings and address questions from the Village Board.  What is this mayor trying to hide" Trustee Cecial Tates said.

"So much for Transparency in government " Trustee Derrick Burgess said following the meeting.

Trustees Edward Myers, Lynda Washington and Rosie Williams said nothing about Hanks' action.

"So the Bobble Heads don't speak up for the residents?  Well rest assured the residents will speak up at election time in April" Community Activist Larry Stewart said Tuesday.  "They are out telling people crime is down in Sauk Village, what they aren't telling us is that it is up in Village Hall" Stewart said.

HANKS POLITICAL BLUNDERS COSTING THE VILLAGE DEARLY

SAUK VILLAGE |  When over 100 years of combined service to the people of Sauk Village walked off the job on Tuesday night, what was going through David Hanks mind?  Apparently not much at all as he was trying to obstruct Trustees Derrick Burgess and Kelvin Jones from asking Public Works Director Kevin Weller questions.  Hanks’s obstruction of Burgess and Jones at one point became so belligerent and childlike that Jones called Hanks an “asshole” as Hanks was literally laughing. 

Earlier on in the meeting Hanks appointed Jeff Morden, who Hanks supported for his failed re-election bid in April, 2015, to replace former Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Art Johnson.  This prompted immediate resignations of long-time members Assistant Director Amon Darnell, Thomas Heatherly, Arlene Stephens and Mike Sopjestal.  “Thirty-five years down the drain because of your appointment” Heatherly said as he pointed to Hanks and dropped his resignation on Hanks’ desk at the dais.  Stephens and Sopjestal did likewise.  The resignations left the department with less than a handful of members.  Rank and file members of the department protested having Morden appointed as Director because of an alleged incident which took place in 2003 involving his minor step-daughter.  A police report was circulated Tuesday night detailing the alleged sordid incident.   Morden claimed to several people Tuesday night that his record was expunged, however, he did not categorically deny the incident ever occurred.   

Wednesday evening Morden apparently sent Hanks a text message resigning as Director less than twenty-four hours after he was sworn-in.  It was learned that Hanks appointed Allen Vavrik as Acting Director.

Trustee Burgess questioned Hanks as to why he did not appoint a director from within the department and felt that Morden was a better choice but Hanks had no reply during Tuesday’s circus-like meeting.

Morden went along with Hanks, while he was on the Village Board in 2015, voted to eliminate Sauk Village's Dispatch Center and contract this out to Calumet Park, Illinois a more costly and distant dispatch center when neighboring Lynwood was offering the same services for less money.

"This was nothing more than a political appointment by Hanks and the bobble heads.  This wasn't about putting the best guy for the job in the position" community activist Larry Steward said Tuesday night. 

Hanks has been making political appointments haphazardly as he recently appointed his campaign manager and sometimes "minister" of the controversial Sauk Village Baptist Church Charles "Chuck" Thompson III to replace Judy Cast as Police and Fire Commissioner in May.  He appointed another political supporter, village vendor and benefactor to the Travelgate scandal Patricia Couch to replace longtime Police and Fire Commissioner Ed Milkint following his death.  Also Tuesday night, Hanks appointed Lynda Washington-House's husband Terry House as Housing Commissioner which will likely further gain favor and votes from Washington on the Village Board.  Washington-House is allegedly running against Hanks in April for Mayor, however, has been one of his staunchest supporters politically speaking.

To see highlights of Tuesday’s Meeting Click on the LINK HERE

98% DISAPPROVE OF THE JOB HANKS IS DOING AS MAYOR

SAUK VILLAGE | A survey of about 470 registered voters of Sauk Village show that David Hanks’ job approval are downright horrible according to the most recent survey. 

470 completed the survey of which 461 Disapprove or “completely disapprove” of the job David Hanks is doing as Mayor representing 98% of all those while only 9 people surveyed or 2% approve of the job he is doing as Mayor.  Hank approval rating is actually worse than that of his predecessor, Lewis Towers when he was last surveyed in 2012.

Hanks will be going into a tough re-election year in 2017 on the heels of the shellacking he received when each of the candidates he endorsed and backed in 2015 lost for Village Trustee, including Jeff Morden and John Poskin.  Coincidently, Towers likewise received a similar shellacking in 2011 when Trustees he supported, including current Trustee Lynda Washington who is now allied with Hanks, lost by a nearly 3 to 1 margin.  Hanks also received a letter of no confidence from the Sauk Village Fraternal Order of Police and 652 residents signed a petition of No Confidence in Mayor David Hanks calling for his resignation in 2015 as well.

 

This past Tuesday, following Hanks appointment of defeated candidate Jeff Morden as Director of Sauk Village's Homeland Security Department, most all of the members of the department tendered their resignations on the spot.  Over 130 years of experience and dedication literally walked off the job during the Village Board meeting.  "Thirty-five years of service down the drain because of you" Tom Heatherly said as he turned in his resignation to Hanks.

 

Last year following his defeat then Trustee Jeffrey Morden voted to eliminate the Village's long-standing Police Dispatchers and to enter into a contract with Calumet Park for dispatching, by-passing the Village of Lynwood, who neighbors Sauk Village and would have actually been less costly. 

HANKS ATTACK ON POLICE DEPARTMENT MAY COST TAXPAYERS

OPINION EDITORIAL |Mayor David Hanks wants you to believe he is the "law and order" mayor, but his attack on the Sauk Village Police Department has put taxpayers at huge financial risk.  On the heels of a vote of No Confidence by the ranks and file Sauk Village Fraternal Order of Police earlier in 2015 and the abrupt departure of former Chief of Police Timothy Holevis, Hanks seems to have been waging war in retaliateion against the Sauk Village Police Department for having no confidence in his leadership.  Following Holevis' "retirement" announcement, he refused to allow Rebecca Sailsbery, the duly sworn Deputy Chief of Police to serve as "interim" Chief at the time, and had his political lackey and former  Cook County jail warden JW Fairman, serving as the defacto "chief of police".  Sauk Village faces serious liability stemming from a lawsuit filed by Aisha Michel, mother of a teenage boy,  who was allegedly was arrested and during said arrest the officer had to use less than lethal force upon the teenager following his arrest on July 14, 2015, during JW Fairman's tenure as "Public Safety Director". 

In a Federal lawsuit filed by the by Michel, the lawsuit wrongfully and erroneously claims that “there is no existing

Excerpt from Hanks' Article in September, 2015 Sauk Talk

Departmental General Orders specifically detailing the use of Tasers for the Sauk Village Police Department”.  The suit specifically cites a libelous Mayor David Hanks “Sauk Talk” article where Hanks put the Village in direct liability for this lawsuit by falsely claiming that the Village had no Taser policy in place and then attacked former Chief Timothy Holevis and former Chief Rebecca Sailsbery for being “remiss in their responsibilities…” 

Let’s point out the painfully obvious David Hanks!  You’re public attack on the Sauk Village Police Department has put the TAXPAYERS  and the Village’s Insurance carrier AT RISK!  Furthermore, Mr. Meathead “Mayer”,  as Harry S. Truman said “the buck stops here…”!  You were on the Village Board of Trustees from 1999 until your ascension as “mayer” in November, 2012.  If you knew the Village’s General Orders were not updated since 2005, as you wrongly stated in your venomous and libelous article of September, 2015, then why the hell did you not make immediate changes when you ascended the “throne” in November, 2012?  Why because you know that is a damn lie!

The village has had a Taser Policy dating back to the Cora Beem era when she served as Chief of Police, and you were on the Village Board then too.  You should know that King David!  But now your libelous article has put the taxpayers of Sauk Village at extreme risk!  How does that make the taxpayers “fill” as David Hanks would say?  Pretty empty in the pocket book I say is how you’re “feeling”!

If anyone would like a copy of the lawsuit filed, email me (SaukVillager@gmail.com)!  It’s 22 pages of liability courtesy of David Hanks himself!  Shame on you for causing this to happen to the taxpayers of Sauk Village!

I say GOOD JOB to the Sauk Village Police Officer for not shooting the young man killing him dead!  There is a reason for less than lethal force and when it should be used, herein is a good example in my opinion!

Oh by the way, Sauk Village PD still does use tasers!  As to the lawsuit, the family may have hit the LOTTO BABY courtesy of David Hanks (the Mayor of the village) stupid, vindictive, libelous and venomous attack upon the Sauk Village Police Department .  You want a history lesson on the Hanks family and the Sauk Village Police Department… I could write you a book!

NOTE:  There are two other Federal actions filed by Police Department personnel against David Hanks for his retaliatory actions against them.

HANKS LIES ABOUT SIDEWALK TO NOWHERE

OPINION EDITORIAL|  First of all, let’s set the record straight for real on the sidewalk to nowhere!  Hanks is a pathological liar!  He claims this is "free Federal Funding” for his insane sidewalk to nowhere!  This is a $1.3 million dollar boondoggle that Hanks and some idiots dreamed up.   (Is it Federal or State?  He quotes both entities)

Hanks spouts off about safety for the kids of Sauk Village!  Let’s remember when he wanted to eliminate the school crossing guards when he was a Trustee; fighting against the safety of the kids of Sauk Village as he nor his own children have never ever attended a Sauk Village Public School!  Ya he really cared about the kids then, too?  Right? NOT! 

Then let’s take a good look at how much Hanks cares about kids and their safety in Sauk Village when mothers and their babies are walking on the north side of Sauk Trail between Orion to Torrence Avenue where there is no sidewalk running the entire length of this stretch. 

Let’s now talk about the sidewalks in Sauk Village that are so heavily damaged, they are heaved up over 6 inches from each other or so  unleveled that you can break an ankle walking on them!  That is if you can pass through the 6 feet of grass growing over the sidewalks from the vacant homes! 

Now let's look at the safety issue at Sauk Trail and Torrence Avenue where kids have to dodge cars going 45 miles per hour to beat a red light and there is no cross walk and no walk/don’t walk signals which lead kids to a community center with asbestos floors!  Ya that’s safe!   

Yet Hanks wanted the Trustees to approve a measure to spend $1.3 million on a sidewalk to nowhere?  He claims the money is a federal and or state grant but the TAXPAYERS gotta belly up first!  Why not take care of the mess he already has on the east side of 394 before making a mess on the other side. 

Let’s face it, would you let/encourage your 6 to 13 year old kids to ride their bikes across 394 to go nowhere?  Would you trust the life of your child verses a semi crossing Sauk Trail at 394?   

Instead of settling for a measly $1.3 million sidewalk to nowhere, which the taxpayers of Sauk Village are on the hook for the costs and engineering,  why not get the funds secured to provide a proper crossing of Illinois 394?  Why?  Because David Hanks doesn’t give a darn!  That’s why!   

SHAKEDOWN AND PAY TO PLAY CONTINUES AT VILLAGE HALL

OPINION EDITORIAL | With the Village Treasurer James Greigel facing Federal criminal charges of stealing money from the Police Pension Fund along with his heroine, whores, embezzlement and corruption scandal, the Travelgate scandal naming Debbie Williams and Rosie Williams as particiants; both occurring on David Hanks' watch!  Now we find David Hanks getting in on the act too shaking down village vendors for his own personal and political campaign! 

Photo courtesy Social Media

Let's face it blowing up $6,000 is not “American”, at least that was the unanimous decision of the Village Board of Trustees at the May 24^th Village Board meeting.  Why did they take this action and cancel fireworks for their Independence Day celebration?  Well frankly blowing up $6,000 when they budgeted ZERO dollars to start any youth programs to keep kids off the streets or perhaps making the Sauk Village Police Station a healthy and safe work environment is more responsible!  Or, it could be that the three Bobble Heads were shamed into it by the responsible actions of Trustees Derrick Burgess, Cecial Tates and Kelvin Jones!

So what does the meathead “Mayer” David Hanks plan to do now?  He’s planning on continuing to shakedown  Village vendors, ala Travelgate, just like Debbie Williams and her daughter Rosie Williams did to scheme money for their “personal trip”, so that Hanks can blow it up in a 15 minute fireworks show.  So how do you suppose any vendors will recover their money?  You got it!  On the backs of the taxpayers completely circumventing the Village Board's action which already voted “NO” to fireworks!

If you don’t believe anything, believe this!  David Hanks continues to show his immaturity during village meetings just like a spoiled child who did not get his way!  How can anyone respect a person who would intentionally harm the health and welfare of Village employees nor give a darn about the kids of Sauk Village.  His actions speak volumes!  Don’t be fooled by his follies and lies he continues to put out through his surrogates and brainwashed minions.  I have no respect for a man who lies to peoples’ faces, whose actions intentionally hurt people and their welfare (i.e. cancelling their health insurance while they were out on medical leave).  Also and even more troubling for taxpayers and residents taking action without public votes, without the consent of your board and ruling by royal fiat and edict.

Let's not also forget the pattern of lies that David Hanks appears to have in his personal life as (CLICK LINK TO LEARN MORE).  This man is a pathological liar!  Read the facts and do your own research.  Son of a preacher!  Yeah he's a son of a something alright.  Know your history Sauk Village.... KNOW your history!

The rule of David Hanks has been one hundred times more damaging to the Village than that of the previous administration!  Why do I say that?  He has 3 Bobble Heads, Lynda Washington, Rosie Williams and Ed Myers, who support his misguided political agenda!

Original material copyright 2016 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved. 

POLICE CHIEF ROBERT KOWALSKI CUSSES OUT SENIOR CITIZEN AT VILLAGE HALL

SAUK VILLAGE | After the Village Board and Mayor finished talking about a $1.3 million bike path and the Village’s employee health insurance renewal, longtime resident and former Police & Fire Commissioner Judy Cast, a Senior Citizen again pressed the matter of mold and asbestos in the Police Station. Cast has always advocated for the police officers of Sauk Village since the 1970s raising awareness of many things from police officers qualifying for free cheese because of the low pay to unsafe squad cars to unfair treatment.

After Cast raised the matters again at Tuesday night’s meeting of and unhealthy work environment having mold and asbestos in the Police Station, David Hanks thought back and indicated that the mold in the Police Station has existed since “the 1980s” and instructed his Police Chief Robert Kowalski to include the mold and asbestos remediation in his report next week.

Kowalski apparently took exception to Cast’s questions regarding the unsafe and unhealthy environment following the meeting. Cast and Kowalski were discussing the matter within earshot of many residents, including yours truly, when Kowalski was clearly heard to say “Where the f**k were you during the previous administrations” which caused many turned heads and raised eyebrows.

“I don’t care how they feel about me personally.  We have had a police officer and a police records clerk die very young from cancer, we had a police dispatcher diagnosed with cancer and she still fights it today.  We owe it to village employees to be able to work in a safe work environment” Cast said. “How disrespectful and unprofessional. This man (Kowalski) clearly doesn’t know me and doesn’t know the history of the Sauk Village Police Department” Cast said.  Cast was clearly shaken after the verbal chastising.

A younger resident who was standing nearby overheard the tongue lashing by Kowalski said “that man is the Police Chief?  Is this how he treats women and senior citizens?”

EDITORIAL NOTE: It was recently made public that asbestos was found in the Police Station, built in 1977 in the mastic, or glue, that holds the floor ties down. Asbestos in floor tiles was discontinued in the early 1970s under Federal law, however, it was not banned in the glue itself until the 1980s.

HANKS & HIS BOBBLE HEADS IN CAMPAIGN MODE FOR 2017

Bobble Heads with Towers in 2009 and Today

OPINION EDITORIAL
The 2017 campaign has kicked off in Sauk Village!  David Hanks has been telling people he’s in and Lynda Washington announced before a handful of people in July of last year she was running.  Tuesday night, from the dais at a Public Meeting no less, Ed Myers, a one-time Lewis Tower staunch supporter turned David Hanks staunch supporter, did what no other Trustee in the history of Sauk Village has done and announced he is running for re-election.  Did the Mayor say anything about politicking in Village Hall and at the “sacred” Village Hall chambers!  Not one word!  Way to support your Bobble Head! 

Shouldn’t these three individuals be worried about doing the job instead of keeping or moving up in their positions?  Let’s face it, Lynda Washington is so busy defending David Hanks and advocating for his misguided policies why the hell would anyone want a Bobble Head who doesn’t have a clue about how a budget works, how a TIF district works, in fact she doesn’t understand much about anything except book bags and Harvey Illinois!  Sorry Lynda you just do not have what it takes to be a Mayor!  Things like integrity, character and as Chuck Thompson called you “morally objectionable” and you turn around and vote for him to the Police & Fire Commissioner!  You are a BOBBLE HEAD! 

The Village Budget that both Myers and Washington voted for along with the precious and innocent Rosie Williams was $3.3 million dollars out of balance!  No information was provided about the fund balances, in fact this was absolutely the worst budget that has ever been passed and it took the vote of David Hanks himself to pass it. 

What as laughable Tuesday night was Hanks appointed Ed Myers in charge of getting quotes for fireworks until Trustees Derrick Burgess and Cecial Tates embarrassed them into voting no for taxpayer dollars to be blown up in 15 minutes when the Police Station and Community Center have asbestos in them and there was $0 in the budget for youth programs!  Hanks would rather people go out on street corners and beg for money like a prostitute, despite the fact that the Village taxes the residents to fund such youth programs.  So Myers, Washington and Williams voted for a budget that included $6,000 for a 15 minute fireworks extravaganza but then turned around and voted no for the fireworks!  You can tell it’s election time when the three Bobble Heads (Myers, Washington and Williams) go against their own King and vote no!  It’s a shame they had to be embarrassed into doing the right thing finally!

People of Sauk Village send a strong message to Hanks and his Bobble Heads!  It’s too little too late!  Your days are numbered and it’s time for you to go!  345 more days and counting!  Enjoy your taxpayer funded paycheck for now, you certainly have not earned it!

UNBALANCED VILLAGE BUDGET APPROVED - HANKS BREAKS TIE AGAIN

Rosie Williams (far left) trying to make a point before she

voted YES to approve the unbalanced budget.

SAUK VILLAGE | This past Tuesday, Mayor David Hanks for the second time in the history of Sauk Village voted to break a tie vote to approve his budget which calls for a $3.3 million deficit.  Trustees Derrick Burgess, Cecial Tates and Kelvin Jones voted no while Trustees aligned with Hanks, Lynda Washington, Rosie Williams and Ed Myers voted along with Hanks to pass the budget.

The Hanks Administration presented the Budget to Williams and Myers, who comprise his Budget and Finance Committee on April 12, 2016 but did not release this information to the public.  A request was made to the Village for a copy of the “proposed” budget under the Freedom of Information Act.  The Village claimed it was a “draft” and was not subject to the Act and denied the request through their taxpayer funded attorney, consequently the Illinois Attorney General’s office was asked to intervene and make a determination if the Village violated the Freedom of Information Act for failing to make available a public document.  The matter is still under review by the Attorney General.

Hanks said of this budget on a social media post “This year's budget has gone through more scrutiny and provided more opportunity for public input than any year prior”.  We say emphatically that this statement is patently false.

Here are some observations on this years budget:

#1 The presentation and approval of an Appropriations Ordinance on May 24^th violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act as this was not placed before the Village Board of Trustees nor the public prior to this meeting.

#2 The Corporate Authorities did not hold any public hearing on the Appropriations Ordinance pursuant to 65 ICLS 5/8-2-9  “the corporate authorities shall hold at least one public hearing on that proposed appropriation ordinance”.  Last week the Corporate Authorities held a “Budget Hearing” and not a Public Hearing on the Appropriations Ordinance according to law.

#3 the public was not provided, nor privy to the Appropriations Ordinance 10 days prior to the adoption of this Ordinance.  The Trustees received this very ordinance on Monday, May 23, 2016 and therefore it is not in compliance with 65 ICLS 5/8-2-9.

#4 the Budget is not balanced as there is $13,269,223.28 in projected revenues and transfers and $16,634,917 in projected expenses and transfers according to the appropriations ordinance which means this is not balanced which leaves this budget out of balance and revenues short by $3,365,693.72

#5 the Budget, as proposed spends revenues within the General Fund which are not intended for the General fund.  There is no corresponding expenditure or transfer to the other funds for the corresponding amounts.

#6 Various funds are penalized for having to take up covering the shortfall of the willful negligence of the administrations past and present as money is spent in the General Fund and not their legally intended purposes.  

#7 there is no allocation, nor accounting for the outstanding bills owed by the Village of Sauk Village.  At times the outstanding bills reach $1.1 millions (per the 2015 Audit report).  A balance budget means that “all expenses and all revenues are balanced”.  If this budget was in fact balanced, it would have accounted for paying all of the bills and this budget does not.

#8 This budget is irresponsible as this administration has chosen to hire additional personnel and pay for them out of the water and sewer fund and they will not be performing any services for the water or sewer departments what-so-ever.

#9 This administration continues its irresponsible pattern of robbing Peter to pay Paul borrowing money to make payroll from the water fund and any other funds and it is irresponsible to hire more people that we need to borrow money to pay them.  

 

#10 despite the fact that Hanks and his allied Trustees voted to eliminate the Police Dispatch under the guise of a "cost savings initiative" in the 2015-16 budget, they have approved hiring additional personnel in the latest budget.

As Trustee Derrick Burgess said following Tuesday’s meeting “ this budget is irresponsible, is not balanced and continues to hide the facts from the residents and taxpayers of Sauk Village and is not fair to our employees and employees who were ‘laid off’ and have not been recalled from layoff”.