ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL: HOLCOMB AND HOUSING COMMISSION VIOLATE LAW

Pictured LtoR: Housing Commissioners Heidi Parker, Gary
Holcomb and Sharon Nowak

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office has issued a determination that the Sauk Village Housing Commission “violated the OMA (Open Meetings Act) by failing to record its closed meeting held on September 28, 2014, and by having improper discussions and taking final action during the closed session”. 

In a three-page determination the Attorney General’s office stated that Chairman Gary Holcomb and his Housing Commissioners violated the Open Meetings Act because they did not record their closed session meeting as required by law, they discussed “contract matters and housing reports” and Holcomb’s response to the Attorney General did not assert any specific exemptions claimed.  The violation of the law also is cited by the Attorney General’s office because it was noted in the Commission’s minutes that “final action by voting on several matters during the closed meeting” took place.  “These votes violated (the act)… which expressly provides that ‘no final action may be taken at a closed meeting’” the determination states.

Holcomb is a candidate for Village Trustee in the April election also came under intense criticism as he published a photo of a resident’s state identification and her son’s Social Security Card and number on social media pages he controls following the cleanup of an abandoned house in 2014.

It has not yet been determined if any fines will be assessed to the Commissioners for the Violation, the Act does provide for individual fines.  The Sauk Villager News will ask that fines be assessed as required under the Act.

BURGESS ANNOUNCES & FILES FOR RE-ELECTION

SAUK VILLAGE |  After keeping his commitment to the residents of Sauk Village to advocate for  open, honest and transparent government by holding the administration accountable, Trustee Derrick Burgess has announced his bid to seek re-election in April, 2015 as an Independent candidate.

“I have been asked by numerous residents to keep asking questions and ensure their voices are heard” Burgess said.   “After careful consideration of the many residents who have encouraged me to run for office again, I have decided to announce that I will be a candidate for re-election as your Village Trustee” Burgess said.  Burgess devotes full-time to his duties as Trustee since his recent retirement in 2014 from the University of Illinois at Chicago.  Burgess has served as Trustee since 2006 and won re-election in 2007 and 2011.  Burgess ran for Mayor in 2009 against Lewis Towers and again in 2013 only after securing the endorsement of then “acting-Mayor” David Hanks.  Hanks subsequently went back on his word and ran against Burgess who lost in a 4-way race.

To give people the opportunity to voice their comments and concerns without time and subject limitations imposed during regularly scheduled Board and Committee meetings, Burgess instituted monthly Town Hall Meetings that are very popular with the residents who want answers to questions.   Burgess routinely asks Hanks for clarification on proposed actions during board meetings and even voted no on the most recent budget, calling it “unbalanced” and “unrealistic”.  Burgess illustrated his concerns about the mayor's proposed budget by presenting a 21 page analysis that highlighted in details the potential points of failure to which no other Trustee had done.  “The purpose of the analysis was to point out to the Board that we could no longer continue with business as usual and we, as a Village Board must work together to bring solutions to the table.  Some decisions and actions taken by the mayor and Board are done so based on their interpretation of "past practices".  These "past practices" have proven to be flawed and have continued to lead us down an unsound fiscal road” Burgess said.

 

Burgess said he will continue to advocate for the residents and that his experience in municipal government has been invaluable. 

“I’m not against moving the village forward, but I feel we have been heading in the wrong direction” Burgess said.

Burgess filed his nomination petitions at Village Hall today at 8am.

Also filing Monday morning were Jeff Morden who was elected to the unexpired term of former Trustee Robert Chavez in a special election in 2013.  Morden has been without a Committee  assignment for months.

Former School District 168 Board President Cecil Tates, who has lived in the Village for more than 30 years and also is a retired US Army Lieutenant Colonel.

Gary Holcomb, a supporter of Mayor David Hanks, and chairperson of the Housing Commission who has been the center of controversy over the summer.  The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office is considering a Binding Opinion that the Housing Commission had violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

Resident Kelvin Jones also filed Monday.  "I want to make a difference in the community.  We don't need another rubber stamp or bobblehead' Jones said today.

The final candidate to file this morning was John Poskin, a staunch ally to Hanks.  Poskin was Hank's appointment for 2-unexpired terms for Village Trustee and has been the longest serving unelected Trustee in the Village's history.  Poskin will be running for the first time since 2005 when he ran with Hanks and lost.

All of the candidates who filed today, including Burgess are running as independent candidates.

AG REVIEWING VIOLATION OF OPEN MEETINGS ACT

LtoR: Housing Commissioners Heidi Parker,
Chairperson Gary Holcomb and
Commissioner Sharon Nowak

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE- Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office is out to make sure that local governmental bodies are not hiding behind closed doors when they should be discussing matters before the public in open sessions.   Sauk Village has been on the Attorney General’s radar screen lately, most recently for the so called Travelgate Scandal involving a Freedom of Information Act request with Village Clerk Debbie Williams and her daughter Trustee Rosie Williams.

In addition, Gary Holcomb, who is chairman of the Sauk Village Housing Commission and also a member of the McConathy Public Library Board, is under intense scrutiny by the Illinois Attorney General’s office for possibly violating the Illinois Open Meetings Act.

 The Sauk Villager News filed a request for review to the Illinois Attorney General’s office claiming that the Housing Commission violated the Open Meetings Act by holding a closed session meeting on September 28th during a special meeting held on a Sunday when Village Hall is typically closed called to discuss matters that are not covered under said Act.  Once again, the Village of Sauk Village has not complied with the Attorney General’s request for information that would either refute the allegations made or support the purpose of the closed session meeting. 

The Attorney General’s office has extended their time to make a determination by an additional 21 days so they can issue a Binding Opinion regarding the matter.  Subsequently, a final determination by the Attorney General’s office will be made on or before December 30^th according to correspondence sent to the Village and to the Sauk Villager News by the Attorney General.

Holcomb has been the source of criticism by residents multiple times this year.  During the summer, while executing a Housing Commission initiative to clean up vacant properties in Sauk Village, Holcomb publicly displayed on Facebook copies of a family’s State identification and Social Security cards that he found in the rubble of a vacant property.  Instead of properly disposing the information, Holcomb chose to openly share the family’s identity on a Facebook page he is known to control.  Some believe that Holcomb has also overstepped his authority as a Housing Commissioner by entering into contractor agreements with residents for grass mowing even though the Commission had neither the available funds for payment nor the approval of the Village Board of Trustees to promise such payment.  This action put the Village of Sauk Village in a precarious position and the Village was forced to withdraw $26,000 of unbudgeted money from various funds in order to honor Holcomb’s contractor agreements.

Holcomb previously served as a Commissioner on the Village's Housing Authority, which was disbanded, but resigned in 1996 during a scandal and involving the Authorities handling of a Community Development Block Grant.  The Village was suspended from the CDGB program as a penalty for several years.

Former Housing Commissioner Larry Stewart, was removed from the Commission said that the commission is headed down a wrong path.  “There was a reason that I was removed because I ask too many questions and I don’t follow blindly.  They can say it was because I didn’t live in Sauk Village but we know that’s just bull.  I live here I vote here and I’m not going anywhere” Stewart said.  Holcomb said in a published report last year "I hand-picked my commission...I don't do anything by myself" Holcomb said. "We're all longtime residents and want to see Sauk Village return to what it used to be." Holcomb also said.  "The problem is we can't bring it back to what it was, we've got to move forward" Stewart said.  Stewart said he was singled out because of politics.

According to Illinois State Statute (775 ILCS 5/1-101 et seq; 65 ILCS 5/11-11/1-1; and 720 ILCS 590/0.01 et seq), Housing Commissions are only permitted under Illinois law to enforce the Fair Housing Act and settle matters of discrimination in housing.  Some residents, and former Commissioner Stewart, contend that the Sauk Village Housing Commission is acting outside of these guidelines and is illegally operating as a Housing Authority.  In fact many residents point out that Mayor David Hanks has referred to the “Housing Commission” repeatedly as the “Housing Authority”.  These residents also believe that a formal investigation is warranted.

Violations of the Open Meetings Act can result in a monetary penalty for each of the Commissioners who may have violated the Act and also can carry a prison term as well. 

Holcomb is now said to be circulating nomination petitions to run for Village Trustee in the Village’s next April election.    

Illinois Attorney General seeks info on Housing Commission

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The Illinois Attorney General has been seeking answers from Village officials since last month.  As of yesterday, Village officials had not responded to the Attorney General's inquiry on a possible violation of the Open Meetings Act.

The Sauk Villager News filed a request for review with the Illinois Attorney General claiming that the Village's Housing Commission may have violated the Open Meetings Act by holding a closed session during a special meeting.  The Open Meetings Act has specific requirements for a public body to hold a closed session meeting.

The Illinois Attorney General was seeking, among other things, an audio recording of the meeting, minutes from the meeting and copies of the agenda.  On the agenda the body was going into closed session to discuss "personnel" and "reports".  (CLICK THIS LINK TO SEE THE ACTUAL LETTER) The Commission does not have any personnel under it's direct supervision and "reports" are not covered for one of the reasons to go into a closed session under the Open Meetings Act.

Gary Holcomb, who serves as the Chairman of the Commission has been circulating nomination petitions to run for Village Trustee in April.  Holcomb has been a loyal supporter of Mayor David Hanks. 

Holcomb caused controversy this past summer by publishing on his social media page and on the Sauk Village Housing Commission page a copy of a resident's state identification card and her son's social security card.  Holcomb was confronted by the Sauk Village Police officials who asked him to take it down, which he later did. 

Holcomb is also at the center of the controversial grass mowing program, where Village officials were forced to borrow $29,660 to pay for mowing service that was not included in the 2014-15 Budget.  Hanks announced earlier this year that the Housing Commission received a grant of $75,000 for mowing vacant homes.  It was recently revealed that the Village was the actual grant recipient not the Housing Commission, however, to date the Village has not received a dime as the entire grant program is under intense scrutiny and is under review.

Beware of Politicians Bearing Gifts at Election Time... especially $4.8 million

OPINION EDITORIAL
by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE | Governor Pat Quinn came to Sauk Village at election time to announce a $4.8 million grant as part of his multi-billion dollar clean water initiative Saturday afternoon.  Quinn is in for the race of his political life this November and every vote counts which is why some question the timing of this announcement!  Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, who just picked up the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune and Crains Chicago Business, has been doing well in polling.  Polls show Rauner with a slight advantage while other show a dead heat. 

No doubt Sauk Village needs the money!  After all, coincidentally, they have a $4.8 million loan which could be paid off with the money saving the Village $287,000 per year in payments over the next 20 years.  Or they could use the funds to repair and update the 50 year old infrastructure buried in the ground.  But the devil will be in the details as they say!  What can the Village actually use this new found money for,  that will be revealed soon enough.

What I’m skeptical about, can this grant vanish if let’s say a new governor gets in office?  Can this grant get cancelled if Quinn gets re-elected and let’s say the state falls short in revenue and all of a sudden the grant goes bye-bye!  Some say no but I say... we'll see. 

Here’s the question virtually everyone I had spoken to Saturday afternoon was asking?  Why didn’t Quinn come bearing gifts during the water crisis in 2012?  Some even go further saying the reason they come bearing gifts is because they feel the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency allowed the residents to drink contaminated water and now is culpable to such an environmental disaster.  My quick answer…. It’s election time and Quinn needs some votes and he is out in Sauk Village and other areas where he never had to campaign before trying to scare up votes.

Watch for those devils in the details!  They will reveal themselves  showing what this grant can and cannot be used!  Stay tuned Sauk Village, there's more to come.

Speaking of election time, couldn’t help but notice that a certain politician has already begun circulating his petitions for Village Trustee at Village Hall no less and the in the sacrosanct Senior Center Saturday afternoon.  No surprise that Gary Holcomb, who serves as Chairman of the Housing Commission had his nomination petitions out on display during the spaghetti dinner Saturday afternoon.  This is the same Holcomb who published a woman's state I.D. and her son's social security card on a Village social media page.  Let's not forget of course Holcomb is the center of the Watergate scandal where funds have been moved around to pay for lawn mowing Gary Holcomb and his commissioners hired but had no money to pay them!  Now Holcomb wants to be your Trustee.... is this the kind of Trustee you can "trust"?

 

Now another candidate who was getting signatures Tuesday night outside in a corridor at Village Hall was scolded by Village Clerk Debbie Williams for circulating petitions.  I guess we see what is backing who!  Shame on you Gary for exploiting an event for your own aggrandizement to have your petitions signed, very tacky! 

 

Don't worry Sauk Village I'll be looking for all those rascally details and keeping an eye on these politicians here in Sauk Village too!

WATERGATE SCANDAL: Water Cash for Grass

Housing Commssioners: Heidi Parker,
Chairman Gary Holcom and Sharon Nowak

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  August 15^th has come and gone, and the village still has not received its anticipated reimbursement to cover the funds the Hanks Administration had taken from the water fund to pay those who mowed grass.   It was discovered that Mayor David Hanks instructed Finance Director Mohan Rao to take money from the water fund to pay people for mowing grass in vacant homes.

Many residents have been screaming mad at outrageously high water bills which appear to be going to pay for things unrelated to the village's water system many have been claiming.  Long-time resident Frank Harvey had complained recently that he needed to find work in order to pay increasing water bills.  Harvey turned to the Village's grass cutting program but soon turned out that he was not getting paid for the work he and his son were doing.  Village Trustee Derrick Burgess railed on Hanks during the budget meetings this summer for using $300,000 of the water money to balance the general fund budget.

The grant was actually from the Illinois Housing Development Authority for the Abandoned Residential Property Municipality Relief Fund.  Under this grant, the program is intended to assist with the costs incurred by the municipality for “securing, maintenance and demolition of abandoned residential property”



Holcomb and Sharon Nowak
protesting against former
Mayor Lewis Towers now
are under fire themselves

Through a private agreement between Gary Holcomb, Housing Commissioner Chairman and Mayor David Hanks “independent contractors” who Holcomb contracted to mow grass in vacant homes were paid out of the village’s water fund in June of this year.  According to information provided by the Village’s Housing Commission, funds were expected to be in Village coffers by August 15^th.  To date no announcement of any funds have been received by the village.  Village Trustee Derrick Burgess questioned an accounts payable which had 14 checks which were already paid to the contractors out of water funds.  Burgess voted no on the accounts payable while 5 of the other Trustees all voted yes.

It was learned through a Freedom of Information Act request that the Village actually applied for the grass mowing grant and not the Housing Commission of Sauk Village as was previously announced by Hanks.  Hanks informed the Village Board of Trustees at their meeting on May 20, 2014 that the “Housing Commission” received the $75,000 grant for grass cutting.  Hanks also stated at that meeting that the Housing Commission “will employ people in the community” to pay the individuals to cut the grass.    Hanks stated at the meeting in May that the matter would be on the next Committee of the Whole meeting June 3^rd, however, the Housing Commission and grass mowing program were never discussed by the Village Board.  To date the village has not received a penny of this grant.

The Village’s grant application budget, received as part of our Freedom of Information Act request, only allotted for 25 homes and $5,000 for “cutting of neglected weeds or grass” however the village has already spent $7,660 according to checks paid to “independent contractors”.

A former Housing Commissioner questions the Housing Commission’s ability to contract “independent contractors” on behalf of the Village of Sauk Village without the Village Board’s approval.  “We were told we could do it, but I’m not sure how the Housing Commission could contract people on behalf of the  Village legally” former Commissioner Larry Stewart said.

 

"I did not know they were taking money out of the water fund to pay people for mowing grass" Steward said.

A housing commission does not have the legal powers granted to housing authority and only is to enforce fair housing in the Village under Illinois law and the Sauk Village Municipal Code.

The Housing Commission established guidelines for how the grass mowing program would be run including requiring individuals to be “residents” of Sauk Village and submit to background checks and each is to maintain a valid license. Former Housing Commissioner Stewart is crying foul as one person is a contractor, does not have a valid driver license and may have been receiving preferential treatment as he appears to have received a no-bid contact Stewart claims.

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!

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'S HOUSING DILEMMA - 2nd in a Series

THIS IS A SECOND IN A SERIES ABOUT SAUK VILLAGE’S HOUSING CRISIS-
SAUK VILLAGE LACKS SOLUTIONS
by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  This is the second in a series of stories addressing Sauk Village's Housing situation.  Sauk Village has a very serious housing crisis including the housing conditions and property values.  Since the housing crisis began in late 2007, Sauk Village seems to have been completely unprepared for what was to transpire.

 

To answer the housing problems facing Sauk Village former Mayor Lewis Towers and current Mayor David Hanks have relied on the Housing Commission.  Some suggest that the Housing Commission is not equiped nor does it have the legal authority to address the problems.

 

When the Housing Commission of Sauk Village was formed it was formed to answer complaints of discrimination in housing. It was never intended to perform the duties of a housing authority. The Housing commission, by law, is not intended to act or perform the duties of a housing authority, yet we see that they are doing exactly that.

HAS THE VILLAGE EXCEEDED ITS  AUTHORITY?  (CLICK HERE AND READ LEGAL OPINION)

 

The Commission’s “powers” are as follows (CLICK THIS LINK TO VIEW THE CODE-per Sauk Village Municipal Code "Fair Housing" Sec 38-23):

1- Administer Oaths and take sworn testimony at hearings;

2- Subpoena witnesses and pertinent documents, and its subpoena power may be enforced by proper petition to any court of competent jurisdiction;

3- Issue orders and impose fines and penalties;

4- Require all persons subject to the application of this article to maintain such records as may be necessary to demonstrate compliance with the provisions of this article;

5- Submit to the Village an annual report and such special reports as it may from time to time deem advisable.

Keep in mind these responsibilities are as they apply to housing discrimination

 

Also, homeowners are required, per ordinance to notify the village if they “intend” to sell their home or rent their home.

 

The Housing Commission currently has no legal authority to carry out the mission that they are currently undertaking as it appears to have exceeded the mandate of the Corporate Authorities of Sauk Village. The Housing Commission has no authority to conduct surveys of vacant homes nor assist with the South Suburban Mayors and Managers Housing Bank, that clearly exceeds their authority established by ordinance.

 

A Housing Authority is an autonomous entity that are charged with handling many challenges facing communities housing issues including administration of housing grant programs and other housing initiatives. Housing Authorities have much broader power than housing commissions. In the mid-1990s Sauk Village had a Housing Authority which ran into controversy over the mismanagement of the Village’s Community Development Block Grant program. The Cook County States Attorney Investigation found many improprieties and the Village Board dissolved the Housing Authority.

 

So what is the answer to Sauk Village's Housing woes?  There are no housing initiatives to encourage first time home-buyers to buy homes as many other communities have established.  There is no homebuyer education classes or workshops to educate buyers on what they need to do in order to purchase homes in Sauk Village. 

 

Several emails and calls to the Housing Commission Chairman Gary Holcomb went unanswered.  Emails to Mayor David Hanks also went unanswered.

Housing Commission:  Heidi Parker, Gary Holcomb, Sharon Nowak, Ronnie Stark
Wanda Lemmell, Lawrence Stewart and Trustee John Poskin

Sauk Village Administration Needs to get it Right!

We couldn't agree more!  Presentation is EVERYTHING!

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How do you attract a multi-million dollar business to Sauk Village when you can't get it right?

Jeff Morden you need to proofread what you put out on your public posts!  You are under the microscope as an elected official.  You should never publish that you are "about  to..." go along on a police ride-along before you go!  This compromises the police officer's safety and your own!  Informing criminals that a civilian is along on a police patrol.  Use common sense and stop focusing on the photo op!