2019 Sauk Villager Person of the Year

2019 SAUK VILLAGER PERSON OF THE YEAR. 

This year it is an honoree deserving of distinction!   We are pleased to announce this year’s recipient is the entire Administration of Mayor Derrick Burgess from January 1, 2019 to May 14, 2019.  Mayor Burgess and his Administration worked hard to bring about his plan for the Pathway to Progress to fruition since his election in 2017.

Mayor Burgess made changes in his administration including the Community Development Department, Police Department and the Finance Department.  The Village had suffered long and hard for the prior 10 years (2007-2017) as property standards and code enforcement declined as property investors and slumlords began running ramshod through the village unchecked and unchallenged, the Village’s finances went improperly managed resulting in repeated audit findings year after year running up massive inter-fund deficits, and a police administration that lacked leadership, direction and community engagement.  Mayor Burgess made known his plan for change in his Strategic Plan for Progress when he entered office in 2017.  He committed to those changes in 2017 and continued in 2019.

Mayor Burgess’s Administration accomplished many things up until May of 2019 here are just a few: 

1. Completing a Comprehensive Plan, the very first since 1999 saving the Village $135,000 as this was funded through a local technical assistance grant;

2. Initiated the LogistiCenter Phase 1 Transportation Engineering Study to extend roadway and rail into the Village’s industrial Park saving the Village $350,000 receiving an Invest in Cook Grant;

3. Added a $13 million commercial development Gas-N-Wash to Sauk Village the village’s first Commercial Development since 1998 and the one of the only fuel station built South of I-80 in Cook County in decades! 

4. Since Mayor Burgess’ Administration took over in 2017 and until May of 2019 they have collectively received and managed $1.7 million in grants.

5. When residents opened their property tax bills all saw a decrease in their bills as a result of the decrease in the property tax levy by the Village Board of Trustees in 2018.

6. Refinanced old Bonds to save taxpayers money despite the fact that the Village had no bond rating!  Also issued $2.5 million in new Tax Increment Financing Bonds to finance long over-due improvements to retain businesses in the LogistiCenter and Sauk Pointe Industrial Park, as well as completing over-due infrastructure.

7. Sauk Village received the Government Finance Officers Association's Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the Fiscal year 2018-19 budget.   Sauk Village had received 16 of these awards the last one being in 2008.  The budget was balanced and met all of the requirements for the award according to the GFOA.

We congratulate Mayor Derrick Burgess and all of those involved in his Administration from January 1, 2019 to May 14, 2019 which did included:

Derrick Burgess, Mayor

Rodrick Grant, Trustee

Cecial Tates, Former Trustee and Liaison for Veteran's Affairs

Elizabeth "Beth" Zupon, Former Trustee

Ronald P. Carter, III Former Trustee

Joseph Wiszowaty, former Director of Community & Economic Development

Mary Klopp, former Assistant to the Mayor 

Malcolm White, Police Chief

Alan Stoffregen, Former Fire Chief

Allen Vavrik, EMA Coordinator

Anthony Finch, Village Treasurer (Interim Finance Director)
Judith Sutfin, Former Director of Finance
Tonya McCoy, Assistant to Community & Economic Development
Kevin Weller, Public Works Director
Maggie Jarr, Village Planner
Dr. Alicia Straughter, Former Human Resource Consultant
Timothy Lapp, Former Special Counsel to the Village
Judge Michael Stuttley, Attorney and Hearing Officer
James Czarnik, Robinson Engineering
Charles Durham, Kane McKenna & Associates
Mary Thompson, Kane McKenna & Associates

Thank you to each and everyone for your contributions from January 1st to May 14, 2019!  Your hard work and dedication to Progress were clearly being seen by the Residents of Sauk Village.  Since May 14, 2019, the Progress clearly has come to a halt.

Congratulations to all those named above for these achievement!

By: S. LaRock, Editor in Chief

BURGESS HONORED FOR DECADE OF DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

DERRICK BURGESS (center) receives honors for 10 years of
Service to Sauk Village.  From Left: Nathan Griffin- SVCPA,
Tammy Jones- SD168, Rita Kueny- Former Trustee, Burgess
Sharon Davenport- SD168, Judy Cast - PLAN and
Philip Bazile- President School District 168

SAUK VILLAGE |  Residents and community leaders turned out Wednesday evening to Trustee Derrick Burgess' monthly Town Hall Meeting, but the tables were soon turned on Burgess.  As people began to arrive Burgess began to increasingly became surprised and soon knew there was a plan underfoot.  As Burgess started his Town Hall Meeting, fellow Trustee Cecial Tates came to the podium and took over as the plot began to unfold.  Burgess soon discovered there would be no Town Hall Meeting, but found out instead that he was being honored for serving 10 years as a Village Trustee.

Community leaders Nathan Griffin, who serves as president of the Sauk Village Citizens for Public Awareness and Judy Cast who serves as president of People Looking for Answers Now (P.L.A.N) both congratulated Burgess and thanked him for his service to the people of Sauk Village during the presentation.

Former Trustee Rita Kueny, whose seat Burgess was appointed, spoke during the event.  "At the time he was appointed, I think Derrick actually attended more Village meetings than most of the elected officials".  Kueny recommended Burgess for her seat on the Village Board before her resignation.  "I don't think I would have resigned if he (former Mayor Roger Peckham) didn't appoint Derrick" Kueny said.  Burgess was appointed to Kueny's seat by Peckham on June 13, 2006, was re-elected in 2007, 2011 and by the biggest majority in 2015.

Former Trustee Joseph Wiszowaty also congratulated Burgess for his service.  "Derrick has the passion and resolve that very few officials have.  Derrick Burgess truly loves Sauk Village" Wiszowaty said.

School District 168 Board President Philip Bazile, Vice President Marva Campbell-Pruitt, along with Board Members Tammy Jones, Sharon Davenport and Jimo Kasali were on hand to present a Resolution to Burgess for his 10 years of "unwavering support for Community Consolidated School District 168".  Campbell-Pruitt read the resolution during the presentation.

State Representatives Elgie Sims, Marcus Evans and Thaddeaus Jones were unable to attend,

Trustee Cecial Tates presents the Resolution of the
Illinois House of Representatives to Trustee Burgess

however, they wrote Resolution 1318 of the Illinois House of Representatives expressing their esteem and appreciation for Burgess' 10 years of service to the people of Sauk Village.  Tates read the resolution followed by a standing ovation as Tates presented it to Burgess.

Former Mayors Roger Peckham and Lewis Towers, sent their regards but sent their written congratulatory cards via Trustee Tates.

"I'm very sorry I was unable to attend due to my schedule, however, I want to congratulate and thank Trustee Derrick Burgess for his ten years of service" Former Trustee Francine Anderson said.

After receiving 2 plaques of "distinguished service" from the people of Sauk Village, Burgess was finally allowed to speak. He thanked his "best friend" and wife, Juanita and acknowledged his 4 children Arleta, Derrick Jr., Steven and Erika and 4 of his 14 grandchildren that were present.  Derrick Jr. called from North Carolina during the presentation to congratulate his father.  It was a very moving moment.

Juanita Burgess (center) wife of
Trustee Derrick Burgess looks on as
her husband Derrick addresses the
audience during the presentation.

"I was completely surprised by all of this, I had no idea" Burgess said.  "I am truly honored and humbled to serve the people of Sauk Village".

A host of family and friends presented Trustee Burgess with a dinner reception held at the Paesel Community Center immediately following the presentation.