ELECTION UPDATE: SCHOOL BOARD CHALLENGES FAIL & NEW BOARD MEMBER EXPECTED

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The School Board election for District 168 has taken a twist of events the last few weeks.  One Candidate has withdrawn 3 others successfully fought off challenges which would have removed them from the ballot.

Incumbents Board members Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones and Sene Garrett along with newcomer Latonya West filed petitions to have their names on the April 7th ballot on the first day December 15^th.  West is seeking a 2 year unexpired term following the resignation of Melvin Stevenson in November.   Davenport, Jones, Garrett and West's petitions were not challenged but all other candidates faced unsucessful challenges.

Board members failed to make an appointment to replace Stevenson by December 30th.  West’s name was the only name put forth for appointment following the unexpected resignation of Stevenson.  Actions to block West’s appointment were successfully carried out by Board Members Jimo Kasali, Deloris Green and Mary Howard, who is the sister to Mayor David Hanks.   The Executive Director of South Cook Intermediate Service Center Dr. Vanessa Kinder has the legal authority to appoint a “temporary” replacement to the seat vacated by Stevenson since the School Board failed to appoint a replacement.  The only issue is that the vacancy is only until the election outcome is determined so the person may only be there on a temporary basis.

"I am preparing to interview candidates for the vacant seat and I intend on making the appointment by the end of this month" Kinder said.  Kinder admitted that she is not mandated to appoint but it is her legal duty to do so.  "It would not be fair to the people of the district to have the seat vacant and decisions by the board not getting made" Kinder said.

Kinder did not identify who she would be interviewing for the vacancy but said "it is disappointing that the local board could not make a decision and that I am forced to appoint.  Decisions such as these should be made at the local level, but there is a provision when it can't be that it falls upon the person in this position" Kinder said.

Resident Larry Stewart filed objections to candidates which included Rachel Eastman, Phillip Bazile, husband of former School Board President and current McConathy Library Trustee Arleta Bazile and Sandra Isom who are seeking the 4 year terms.  Former Village Clerk Candidate Marva Campbell-Pruitt who is seeking the 2 year unexpired term was also considered to replace Aisa El-Amin who resigned last year.  Campbell-Pruitt put her name into consideration for the appointment to El-Amin’s vacant seat, however, was passed over for Garrett.

Stewart said he filed objections to ensure that those candidates who filed did so correctly.  “Look, when you run for office you’ve got to make sure you start out right.  It begins by making sure your papers work is in order” Stewart said.  “This is not politically motivated.  I know each of the people who are running.  It’s about following the rules” Stewart said.

Since the objections were filed, Eastman withdrew her name as a candidate and will not be on the ballot in April.  Eastman had obtained well over 100 signatures of registered voters to get her name on the ballot, only 50 are required.  “I just wanted to make a difference for the kids of the Village” Eastman said following her withdrawal.  “It seems that no matter what you do someone is going to be mad at you for doing something.  I had no idea that people would get so personal” Eastman said.  Eastman serves on the Neighborhood Watch Committee.

The electoral board, which use to rest with the local school boards has been moved to the jurisdiction of Cook County to expedite the handling of hearings and save the financially struggling school districts tens  of thousands of taxpayer dollars.  The Cook County Hearing Officer tossed out all challenges made by Stewart ensuring that all candidates, except Eastman who withdrew, will be on the ballot.

In the Village Trustees race, for the first time in many years no objections were filed.  The seats of Trustees Derrick Burgess, Jeff Morden and John Poskin are up for grabs in April.  Burgess, Morden and Poskin all filed nomination petitions seeking their old seats.  Poskin has never faced election for his seat but was appointed  twice by Hanks in 2012 and is currently the longest serving unelected Village Trustee.  Hoping to unseat them are controversial Housing Commission Chairman Gary Holcomb, and former School Board President and Retired Lieutenant Colonel Cecil Tates, Kelvin Jones and Danny Hammond, Jr.

"People of Sauk Village want change.  They are tired of this administration and the lack of direction" Hammond said. 

The two seats up for the Nancy L. McConathy Public Library are uncontested.

DICTATOR DAVID AND THE DAVIDIAN TRUSTEE PROTEST

WHERE WERE YOU JOHN POSKIN?

By Joseph Wiszowaty

OPINION EDITORIAL |  Well, if you were at  this past Tuesday night’s Special Meeting of the Village Board, it was almost surreal.  After 2 years and 52 days, it appears that at least 2 of the Bobbleheads have had enough of the closed door, back room meetings which have been commonplace in Mayor David Hanks’ administration.

The Village’s fiscal year historically begins on May 1st; however, Hanks and his administration couldn’t get their act together in order to get a budget put together and passed by May 1^st because he said at the time they were focusing on the delinquent audits.  It is glaringly apparent that Hanks cannot multi-task in such a demanding position----but I digress!  During Hanks’ whirlwind budget meeting with his Board of Trustees, Hanks bragged about being able to hold hearings on the budget in a record 4 hours! The budget consisted of 23 pages and was void of any real descriptions of what was going on and the public was left in the dark.  However, with virtually no questions of any substance or input from the 5 Bobblehead Board of Trustees, they agreed in lockstep with the Mayor's proposed budget.   

Trustee Derrick Burgess was the only Trustee who took the time to forensically go through the 23 pages to dissect what was being presented and prepared a 21 page analysis of Hanks’ budget  proposal to point out numerous issues and concerns that he found.  Burgess called Hanks' budget “not balanced” with over estimations of revenues and under estimations of expenses.  Burgess suggested that the Board of Trustees “work collaboratively” to come up with long-term solutions.  But no; what did Hanks do?  He called a special meeting so he and he alone could spend 3 hours criticizing Burgess’s analysis of his budget which turned out to be a waste of taxpayer money, time and nothing but a lot of hot air.  The vote to pass the budget was then presented to the Trustees for approval resulting in a 5 to 1 approval with Burgess casting the lone NO vote! 

Now fast forward to this last Tuesday.  Trustee Rosie Williams, Lynda Washington and Derrick Burgess called for a special meeting to discuss what Williams called a “budget crisis”. Williams admitted that she still had not read Burgess's analysis but did remember that it lacked "suggestions" as to what could be done.  Burgess countered that decisions should be collaboratively made by the entire board and not by him dictating what needs to be done.  So what did Hanks do Tuesday night instead of discussing with the Board of Trustees these most crucial matters?  He skips out on the meeting to avoid the criticism of his Village Board members and the anticipated “I told you so…”.  Hanks in a cowardice post on social media said, “since there is no clear urgency for tonight’s meeting, Linda and I will be spending time with our family…”.  

He went on to criticize his Village Board members for “not reaching out to me in person to discuss any issues prior to calling for a meeting…”.  Williams criticized Hanks’ back room “meetings before the meetings” and rightly so!  She also said that discussions such as these should be appropriately done during public meetings.  You know what??  I AGREE!  Meetings to discuss the finances of the Village are best conducted in an open and transparent process; not in the privacy of the Mayor's office as suggested by Hanks.  If you recall, when David Hanks was Trustee during the Towers administration, he condemned Towers for circumventing the authority and legal rights of the Village Board of Trustees.

Hanks laughingly went on to say that while he served as Trustee he had the “common courtesy to talk with the mayor in person (face-to-face) in hopes of resolving any issues prior to scheduling  such a meeting….”  REALLY DAVID?  Was that the same day you infamously stood up over Lewis Towers and threatened to shove the gavel up his “butt” at that oh-so special meeting? 

Dictator David, you’re a liar!  What you failed to tell the people in your social media post was how much the Village has in unpaid bills sitting in Finance Director Mohan’s magical drawer!  What you did not mention in your diatribe of dribble was that the over-time budgeted for the Police Department will be doubled the amount proposed.  But you countered Derrick's analysis during your “special meeting” that this would not be the case!  

Let’s face it Dictator David, your budget sucks!  You cannot fathom the fact that you’re wrong, cannot take criticism and are a dictator!  Trustee Jeff Morden was in attendance and defended your honor by not uttering a single word other than "Here" to open the meeting and "Yes" to adjourn.

Even though the office of mayor is a “part-time” job, it requires full-time dedication!  Elected officials are in their positions to represent the People of Sauk Village and you, David Hanks and John Poskins did not do your jobs.  You have failed the people of Sauk Village and have failed in your duty. 

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.

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!

NO tHANKS VOLUNTEERS!



Edward Sullivan- ex-Volunteer

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE | Spurred on by the election of David Hanks less than 1 year ago, long time resident Edward Sullivan had been determined to resurrect the Village’s baseball and softball this summer, now finds himself on the outside looking in.  Sullivan volunteered to help restore the Village’s baseball and softball programs had been told thanks but no thanks.

Hanks put Village Trustee John Poskin, who was appointed to the Village Board and not elected, in charge of the Parks and Recreation Committee.  Sullivan was working with Poskin to get the baseball fields, fences, dugouts, bleachers, supply shed, concession stand and washrooms back in working order until Sullivan was “dismissed” by Poskin.

“I would ask John if this was getting things he said he would do done and it just never would get done” Sullivan said.  Sullivan served as President of the Sauk Village Sports Association back in the 1970s and remained active in the 1980s in hopes of bringing a Park District to Sauk Village.  The referendum to bring the Park District to Sauk Village failed in the 1980s and in 1963 prior to that.

Sullivan said back in August “We need to get people to trust us again” referring to the failed attempt at the Village’s takeover of the baseball and softball programs in 2009 by now former Trustee Enoch Benson.

In January while other communities are registering children for the baseball and softball programs, Sauk Village will once again not have a viable program in the community.  Hanks and his supporters cleaned up the concession stand and painted in a circus of photo ops many of his political opponents charged as there was never any way that a baseball program would get underway. 

Enbridge, the company which will be putting a 36 inch pipeline through the village, will be spending several thousand dollars in restoring the baseball fields which have not seen an organized children’s program since 2009.

Marva Campbell-Pruitt

Marva Campbell-Pruitt, who chaired the Village’s Beautification Committee and Human Relations Commission resigned in exasperation over the political backlash from the “sore winners”.   Political tensions and personal attacks by supporters of Village Clerk Debbie Williams, who won the April, 2013 election, against Campbell-Pruitt had got worse since The Williams’ election victory.  “Clearly they think they can do a better job, then they should be given the opportunity to do so” Campbell-Pruitt said at the time.

Campbell-Pruitt instituted the Community Garden, taken over now by the McConathy Public Library, the Clean, Preen and Green Program, reinstituted the Hootsie Awards and she also worked with church groups and volunteers to help clean up the village’s landscape as well as picked up garbage.

Sullivan was clearly disappointed “you know all we wanted to do is do something for the kids”.  Now Sullivan, like Campbell-Pruitt has become insignificant to this administration for trying to make a difference.

SAUK VILLAGE 2013 YEAR IN REVIEW

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  This is Sauk Village's year in Reveiw.  There has not been a local paper in Sauk Village since the demise of the Community News.  Since 2010, we have been keeping you informed and updated on news that matters about Sauk Village.  We understand that some may not always agree with our editorial point of view and that is what makes the 1st Amendment such a wonderful thing!  I get to voice my opinion on matters as many do likewise.

The top news stories about Sauk Village from 2013.  You can CLICK the "Continue Reading" link to read the complete stories.  The 2013 election dominated much of the first few months of 2013, however, there were many other interesting stories along the way besides politics that impact residents on a daily basis.

We lost many good Villagers, both current and former, this year including one of Sauk Village's original residents- Nadine Cook and also Mary Griegel,  Nijola Lileikis, Dr. Milton Curry, James F. Stengel, Sr., Jessica Jane Glaze,  John "John the Butcher" Wojcicki, Jr., Raymond Gavin, Matt Murphy, Adele Werner, Diontae "Red" Erwin, Robert Loveland, James Zagotta, Bobby Griegel, Doris Brannan, Patrick Haase, Margaret Tobin, and John P. LaRock, Sr.


Our Sauk Village Facebook page began 2013 with around 2,300 followers of our page and as we approach the end of the year we have added about 900 new friends throughout the year.   Our TOP STORY occured September 7th but we have compiled the top stories for 2013 and here they are as they occurred: 

January 4th:   
Candidates Face Challenges to Remain on Ballot
SAUK VILLAGE |  It seems that the influences of former Mayor Lewis Towers are alive and well and working through the campaign of Bernice Houston and Francine Anderson’s campaign. 

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January 5th:  

FATAL ACCIDENT ON SAUK TRAIL

By Joseph Wiszowaty 

SAUK VILLAGE |  A fatal accident occurred Saturday morning in the 2100 block of Sauk Trail just west of Orion Avenue.  An auto recovery vehicle driven by Shawn Brewster,  age 36 of Crete was involved.

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 January 6th:

FOUNDING TRUSTEE - MATT MURPHY DIES

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Former Sauk Village Trustee Matthew Murphy passed away peacefully on December 17, 2012 at his home in Mesa Arizona.  Murphy served from the Village's incorporation until 1973 after completing 4 terms on t...

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January 23, 2013:

ELECTORAL BOARD REJECTS ALL CHALLENGES

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The challenges against all candidates brought by what some are calling pawns of Bernice Houston and Francine Anderson's Citizens for Empowerment Party were all thrown out following Wednesday evening's electoral board hearing.
When Jacqueline Ford failed to appear for the hearing after being served notice, the Electoral Board dismissed all challenges brought against Lynda Washington who is running for Trustee.  Coincidently, Washington...

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January 24, 2013:

SAUK VILLAGE LOSES DAWN FOODS

SAUK VILLAGE | It seems like all of the Illinois-Indiana border communities are losing out to Indiana these days, Sauk Village is not immune. When it comes to economic development, it’s a dog-eat-dog competition many local leaders say.
Dawn Food Products, headquartered in Jackson, Michigan announced that the will be consolidating their Crown Point and Munster, Indiana facilities into one distribution center. They announced that they will build a new 120,000 square-fo...

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February 1, 2013:
44 Year Old Shot Dead

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Sauk Village Police responded to a call at 2946 East 223rd Street with initial reports of a male subject down.  Officers arrived and found a male subject with a gunshot wound to the body.  The subject was...

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March 13, 2013:

Village Clerk Takes 3 Years to Get Job Done

Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The Village Clerk Debbie Williams cried “politics” but many residents in the audience and one of her opponents Marva Cambell-Pruitt say that the Village Clerk has not been doing her job effectively.
 
For the second straight board meeting Williams had numerous minutes from executive sessions to be approved by the Village Board.  Last night there were 28 sets of executive session minutes from May, 2011 to December, 2011 on the agenda...

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March 20, 2013:

VILLAGE TO RAISE TAXES AGAIN

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The Village Board had a special meeting called by the acting-mayor David Hanks to approve 28 sets of executive session minutes from 2011.  The minutes were the center of controversy at last weeks meeting prompting Village Clerk candidate Marva Campbell-Pruitt to recite State law that minutes should be reviewed twice a year to determine if there is resolution, if notice must be given at an open meeting as to why they are to remain confidenti...

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March 30, 2013:

CAMPAIGN GETS UGLY - Altercation over Campaign Signs

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  An apparent verbal altercation took place late this morning at Sauk Plaza involving supporters of David Hanks and Enoch Benson, both of whom are seeking election next Tuesday.  The incident apparently involved campaign signs.
 
Benson was placing his campaign signs in Sauk Plaza and Chuck Thompson, sometimes pastor of the controversial Sauk Village Baptist Church and campaign manager of Hanks’ campaign, apparently took exception to Bens...

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April 9, 2013:

HANKS WINS

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  A 32 year quest by the Hanks family to win the office of Sauk Village Mayor proved to be successful as the fourth time turned out to to be the charm!  With 19% of the eligible voters turning out to the polls on election day or 1,452 people casting ballots, less than the 2011 election just two short years ago, the people have spoken.
 

David Hanks was elected with 46%, less than a majority, of the vote or 654 votes over Derrick Burgess 27% (390) the next nearest contender was Village Trustee Enoch Benson with 203 vote or 14%, and Bernice Houston 177 votes or 12% of the overall vote.  Burgess will retain hi...

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April 11, 2013:

Longest Serving Trustee Ray Gavin Dies

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The longest serving Trustee in Sauk Village history has passed away, Raymond Gavin passed away peacefully Sunday morning . Gavin served as Village Trustee from 1967-1986 he was instrumental in the Village’s inoculation clinics and served as Chairman of the Public Health & Sanitation Committee during his long tenure on the Village Board. “Ray was a good guy and he did a lot for Sauk Village and particularly the children of the villag...

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May 1, 2013:

Davenport Elected D-168 President following Deadlock

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  District 168 School Board bid farewell to Maxine Towers, former first lady of Sauk Village who lost her re-election bid to newcomer Deloris Green was sworn-in as the newest board member tonight.  The Board presented Towers with flowers and a plaque for her service to the district.  Towers had worked with the school board despite the politics and direction of her husband, the former Mayor Lewis Towers had taken.  The school Board and Villag...

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 May 14, 2013:

VILLAGE BOARD- 2013

Hanks takes Oath; Officials sworn-in

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Village officials were sworn-in last night at a full Village Hall with what turned out to be too many reserved seats for guests of the new officials.  Many residents were relegated to the back rows while the first several rows were blocked off and reserved, later in the meeting while members of the audience were left standing, they were invited to take the empty seats.
David Hanks was sworn in as 7th Mayor of Sauk Village quoting former Pre...

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June 4, 2013:

SHOTS FIRED AT SCHOOL BUS

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The window of a school bus carrying students of Wagoner Elementary School was shattered after being hit with what may have been a BB on Monday afternoon.
 

One window of a school bus was shot at the end of the school day in the 22500 block of Jeffrey Avenue according to School District 168 officials.
"It appears that a BB gun or a rock broke-out a bus window" District 168 Superintendent Al Travaglini said.  The principal of Wagoner School Kat...

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June 11, 2013:

Sauk Village trying "Speed Meetings"

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  In only what could be described as speed meeting the Village Board of Trustees flew through the agenda in just over 30 minutes.  A definite contrast to what had become long and political rambling meetings of political posturing.  While certainly not the fastest meeting ever held, it was short.
There were absolutely no questions from the audience, which could have only been specific to the actions of the village board last night.  This in co...

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June 28, 2013:

SOME VILLAGE EMPLOYEES GET NO PAY TODAY

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  When you are expecting your paycheck to be in your checking account and you find out there's no money to pay your bills, who do you turn to blame.
Village officials knew on Tuesday night at their board meeting that there was not enough money to cover payroll, yet nothing as discussed publicly regarding the matter.  No vote was taken to transfer money from what has become the Village's piggy bank, the water fund, on Tuesday during the publi...

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July 23, 2013:

TRAVELGATE SCANDAL BREAKS

RECAP By Joseph Wiszowaty

Sauk Village's Clerk Debbie Williams, and her daughter Village Trustee Rosie Williams, apparently took what she calls a "personal trip" on the dime of what she calls "sponsors" or village vendors.  

 

Friend political supporter and Housing Commission Chairman, Gary Holcomb who video recorded the meeting was apparently asked not to post the video of July 23, 2013 as it was not flattering to Debbie Williams. A Freedom of Information Act request was essentially denied by the Village and a request for review has been filed with the Illinois Attorney General's office into the matter.  Lisa Madigan's office continues their review at the time of this year end review, but details will be released as they develop... STAY TUNED!

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ORIGINAL STORY

August 22, 2013:

HANK ADMINISTRATION FAILING -         FIRST 100 DAYS- FAILING! 

By Joseph Wiszowaty
I think David Hanks said this best when he said on March 20th “I believe people won’t take pride in their village until village government sets the example”.  I couldn’t agree more!  The Travelgate Scandal is a fine example of exactly what Hanks said.  How can people take pride in Village Government when David Hanks won’t force the matter to be made open and transparent?  Where is the leadership here?  Where is the pride? ...

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 September 5, 2013:

CAMPBELL-PRUITT BLAMES POLITICS FOR RESIGNATION

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | When Marva Campbell-Pruitt started pulling weeds out of the overgrown flower beds with some residents 3 years ago, nobody complained.  In fact, Campbell-Pruitt stepped up to chair not one but two Village Com...

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September 7, 2013:  ***STORY OF THE YEAR***

Mother Charged with Murder of Son

By Joseph Wiszowaty 

SAUK VILLAGE |  On Saturday, September 7, 2013 at about 12:16 p.m. the Sauk Village Police Department responded to a reported stabbing incident at 1794 223rd Street.  Diontae Erwin, age 17, was transported to Saint Margaret Hospital in Dyer, Indiana and pronounced dead at 12:41 p.m. by Cathleen McGovern M.D.  Diontae Erwin suffered a fatal stab wound to the chest.

The Sauk Village Police Department, Illinois State Police Crime Scene Investigations an...

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September 24, 2013:

HOLEVIS RATIFIED AS POLICE CHIEF

RECAP By Joseph Wiszowaty

Timothy Holevis' appointment by Mayor David Hanks is ratified by the Village Board of Trustees with only Village Trustee Lynda Washington voting to abstain.  Hanks' appointment of Holevis surprised some as he had only recently recommended hiring the R.E.M. Group to search for a police chief.  Hanks now wants the R.E.M. Group to search for a Deputy Chief of Police and help the department implement "efficiencies".  

October 11, 2013:

Village Receives Bids for Air Strippers, but still No Money

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Bids were open on Tuesday night for the permanent Air Strippers at all three wells.  Well #3 has been shut down since 2009 since the levels of vinyl chloride continued to rise higher than what the IEPA thought was safe.

The air strippers will remove the vinyl chloride from the water by an aeration process of blowing air into the water and the vinyl chloride is released from the water into a gas form and released.  The process thus far has been successful since the Village was forced to install the temporary air strippers on Wells #1 and #2 on Sauk Trail last summer....

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October 15, 2013:

TRAVELGATE SCANDAL CONTINUES AS ATTORNEY GENERAL REVIEWS

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office continues their review the Village's denial of information under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) over what has become known as "Travelgate".

In July, 2013, Village Clerk Debbie Williams, Village Trustee Rosie Williams and now Police Pension Board member Patricia Couch attended a Building One America Organization's meeting in Washington D.C. raised money using the Village's taxpayer funded website and posted other material on the Village website as well.  Williams claims that this was a "personal trip", however, some argue that the public does not have access to Village assets, like the village's website, to solicit village vendors and post their personal trip photos and video.

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November 12, 2013:

VILLAGE FALLS SHORT ON CASH

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE | The Village is once again coming up short and cannot pay the debt on the Village Hall and two other bond issues which were for the Village's 9-1-1 Center and a Fire Truck. The 2007 series A-B and C Bonds are considered “Alternate Revenue Bonds” and were to be paid back by monies other than property taxes which hasn’t worked out too well for the Village since 2011.  The Village Board was scheduled to vote on moving funds around in order to pay the debt service on the bonds, however, the Village Clerk Debbie Williams forgot to put the Resolution on Tuesday’s agenda.  Now the Village Board will hold a special meeting in order to vote on the resolution this Thursday...

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November 27, 2013:

 

HANKS PLANS ON BORROWING MORE TO BALANCE BUDGET 

  By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Just two weeks ago, Mayor David Hanks recommended that the village board borrow $449,206 from the Village’s water fund, a dedicated noise mitigation fund and funds which were from the Cell Tower agreement so it could pay its debt service on the Village Hall and other obligations.  The Village voted at a special meeting to replace the money with the property tax installment by the end of March, 2014....

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November 30, 2013:

HANKS FACES ETHICAL QUESTIONS

INVESTIGATIVE REPORT 
By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | Everyone remembers how former Mayor Lewis Towers, who still works at the Cook County Assessor’s office, filed for dual homestead exemptions on his house in Chicago and his house in Sauk Village.  All of his political opponents pounced on him for ripping of the taxpayers and how wrong it was and how he should go to jail.  Well, during the last election, a “stinky” flyer also came out making claims about David Hanks and some questionable matters as well....
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December 10, 2013:

PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP AGAIN 

By Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  Village officials took action at their meeting Tuesday to ensure the Village will receive their property tax revenues in 2014.  The board voted 5 to 0 for the 2013/14 Property Tax Levy.  No residents or Village officials asked any questions about the Tax Levy Ordinance.

The amount of property taxes requested in the levy was $3.2 million according....

 

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December 30, 2013:

RESIDENTS FILE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST YRC AND LANDFILL

CHICAGO (CN) - Roadway Express and the owner-operators of an illegal 90-foot high, 40-acre landfill contaminated drinking water with carcinogenic vinyl chloride, residents of a far south suburb of Chicago say in a class action.

 

Lead plaintiff Kenneth Allen, of Sauk Village, sued YRC Worldwide, Roadway Express, Arcadis U.S., and Lincoln Limited, in Cook County Court....

 

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Village Administration has nothing on Agenda residents speak up

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | Apparently all is well in good old Sauk Village, after all the Mayor and Board of Trustees had nothing to discuss and nothing to do. There was nothing on Tuesday night's agenda.

Longtime resident and President of People Looking for Answers Now organization Judy Cast asked questions about the village's finances during questions from the audience. "I have been asking for 4 years now. Where are our audits? If there's something wrong then just tell us, why is it taking this long to get these done" Cast said. The Village's audit report was suppose to have been presented to the Village Board of Trustees last night according Finance Director Mohan Roa last week. David Hanks told the board that the audit report will now be done by October 31st, which now will have taken the Village 1 year to complete their audit report. Hanks said that the 2011-12 audit will get started once the 2010-2011 audit is complete.

The village is paying a $100 per day fine for failing to file timely financial reports according to the Illinois Comptroller and has amassed a fine in excess of $13,000 thus far (***CLICK HERE*** TO VIEW FOIA DOCUMENTS). The Village has filed an appeal for the fine but there has been no resolution on that matter according to the Comptroller's office.

Former Mayoral candidate Bernice Houston was also in attendance at Tuesday night's meeting. She asked several questions during audience participation and walked away from the podium saying "see we get no answers and they wonder why we have to FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request things" Houston said. Houston said following the meeting "I have been making FOIA requests from the village since before Hanks became mayor. We share our information with our group (The Sauk Village Citizens for Public Awareness) because we get no answers" Houston said. "He (Hanks) sits there after you ask your questions and just says 'next' without so much as giving a response, as if we don't matter" Houston said.

There were about 32 people at the meeting, with many of the same faces sitting on the left side of the Village Hall and a few new faces sitting on the right side of village hall. Many on the right side were residents of Lincoln Meadows subdivision which is on the village's south side of town near Steger Road and Illinois 394. Marva Campbell-Pruitt began the questions from the audience stating she was there representing the residents of Lincoln Meadows and that her and her neighbors were using the Village Community Center for their Homeowners Association group without being charged. Campbell-Pruitt said that the group is now being asked to pay $50.00 per meeting to the village as a user fee, for which her and her group protest since "we pay some of the highest property taxes in the village, we get the same services, but we're being told now that we have to pay for our Association of homeowners to meet" Campbell-Pruitt said following the meeting.

Several other residents of Lincoln Meadows stood up and began asking the same question, "why do we have to pay for something that should not be charged to our group". "We're not political, we're not fund raising or having parties" Campbell-Pruitt said. Following the meeting Village Trustees John Poskin and Derrick Burgess met with the group briefly and resolved that the Village Hall will be available for the group's meeting until the policies and procedures can be ironed out by the Parks and Recreation Committee. Poskin chairs the Parks and Recreation Committee.

The Village Board adjourned to executive session obviously to discuss some break through with the Police negotiations as Felicia Frazier the labor negotiator with the law firm of Odelson and Sterk was in attendance. The Fraternal Order of Police and the Village have been at a stand still in the negotiations. Police officers have been without a contract since May 1, 2011 and any pay increase will be retroactive to that date. Even a modest pay increase such as 2-3% (about $61,000 to $92,600) will cause a ripple in the Village's already stretched General Fund. Hanks has already added $36,000 for a Lobbyist and $11,000 for a firm to find a permanent Chief of Police among other things.

Photo Courtesy People's Voice Party 2011- David A. Hanks