A NOTE TO SAUK VILLAGE RESIDENTS

DEAR SAUK VILLAGE RESIDENTS | Nearly 200 Sauk Villagers have already voted for Mayor in early voting.  If you have not yet early voted, this coming Tuesday, April 4th Sauk Villagers will head to the polls to elect your new Mayor, new Village Clerk and new Village Trustees. David Hanks sent out a missive to his minions asking them to rally behind his chosen candidates, which are no less than a bunch of Bobble Heads!

Hanks says "much has been accomplished without placing future generations further in debt over the last four years..." Well first of all, let's tell the residents the facts!  $10.2 million is owed to the Pension Funds, $32 million is owed in General Obligation Bonds which Hanks himself voted for during his tenure in office, Hanks's administration took over $2 million from the water fund which must be repaid!  The Village has not had a bond rating since 2011 due to the financial mismanagement which he has continued over the last four years!  If he could have, he would have plunged the Village deeper into debt!  Thank goodness he was not able to do so!  So as Hanks leaves and according to the Village's 2015-16 Audit Report the Village is some $50 million in debt!  Let's not even talk about the property tax increases Hanks himself voted for during his 18 year tenure in office!  THANKS HANKS and THANK GOD you're leaving!   

Personally, we cannot wait until he fades off "into non-political retirement" on May 9th, it will truly be a moment to celebrate!  We do agree that Sauk Village residents have a choice either to continue his legacy of failure - taking a giant leap backwards or the Village can actually vote for a New Direction and a Pathway to Progress!

Hanks points out there are three candidates running for Mayor and only one has the vision which is clearly DERRICK BURGESS and yet two other that will continue Hanks's brand of "progress", the lack of transparency and the overall failed past practices that Sauk Village has experienced the last few years. The other two candidates based on their propaganda and comments at the recent board meetings and forum want to pick up where the current administration left off and plunge the village futher into failure!

Based on Hanks's two preferred candidates' campaign promises, if either is elected they will take Sauk Village further in debt placing the additional costs on you and future generations through stealing money from the water fund, taking out high interest loans and raising resident’s fees to record highs………Everything this current administration has done to the residents over the course of the last four years!

There is no way these candidates can keep their promises without selling out the residents of Sauk Village.

Many residents have been asking us who is best to do the job!  Let me make this perfectly clear!

Next Tuesday, you, your family, your friends and neighbors should vote for the following independent candidates, who truly do care, who own homes, who all have had successful jobs, who do not need to steal your money because they have earned their own, who do not have to shake down village vendors for personal trips- they can pay their own way!  Here are the only candidates you can trust with your money:

FOR MAYOR:   DERRICK BURGESS                  Punch #1

FOR CLERK:   MARVA CAMPBELL-PRUITT   Punch #5

FOR TRUSTEE (VOTE FOR 3):

• RODRICK GRANT                              Punch #6
• BERNICE BREWER-HOUSTON      Punch #7
• BETH ZUPON                                      Punch #8

Sauk Village, if you do not want to continue the failure and continue down the Highway to Hell that the current administration has been heading with years of: disrespecting residents, excessive legal expenses caused by David Hanks and Debbie Williams, fear, bullying, shake downs, extortion, FAKE CRIME STATISTICS, unanswered Audit Findings, Criminal Indictments of Village Officials (ie Village Treasurer)!   Then join the majority of Village residents and cast your vote for CHANGE, a NEW DIRECTION and a PATHWAY TO PROGRESS and real Independent Candidates and not a bunch of BOBBLE HEADS! 

SAUK VILLAGE ENDORSED CANDIDATES

Here are the Sauk Villager News' endorsed candidates for Sauk Village.  Early voting begins tomorrow (March 20th) and we will have more information out to voters to help get you to the polls early! 

FOR MAYOR:

DERRICK BURGESS FOR MAYOR- SAUK VILLAGE

When Derrick Burgess is elected on April 4th he will face a Village that is financially worse off than when his predecessor took over in 2012.  Derrick Burgess is a TRUE INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE FOR MAYOR!  Derrick Burgess led the field of candidates in 2015 earning over 60% of all votes cast in his re-election bid.  Burgess has earned the respect of the entire community and will make an outstanding Mayor.  He is passionate about Sauk Village he has a plan and vision for how he will move the Village in a New Direction as he says.  His opponents are not worthy of serious consideration as they are not serious candidates for Mayor of Sauk Village.

If you feel it's time for a New Direction, the Derrick Burgess is the only candidate who is willing to provide that leadership!  Burgess will get Sauk Village on the Pathway to Progress he has spoken about!  He is the ONLY CANDIDATE who will be able to clean up the mess at Village Hall in the wake of the Hanks Administration.

FOR VILLAGE CLERK:

MARVA CAMPBELL-PRUITT FOR VILLAGE CLERK- SAUK VILLAGE
Marva Campbell-Pruitt deserves your consideration and vote for Village Clerk.  Marva Campbell-Pruitt is the only logical choice for Village Clerk as the current incumbent has been an abject failure in doing her job.  When it comes to taking "personal trips" Marva Campbell-Pruitt said she will pay for them herself.  Campbell-Pruitt also said that having a "mother daughter" team running the Village is dangerous, we agree!

Marva Campbell-Pruitt is a professional who completed her career in education and possesses what it takes to bring the office of Village Clerk to the next level.  Marva understands that DETAILS DO MATTER!  The incumbent village clerk seems to get it wrong more times than not.  Getting dates wrong, getting her minutes wrong the current clerk is just, well, wrong for the job!  After 8 long years she still has not gotten it right?  MARVA will not need 8 years to do the job!  She will eliminate politics from the Clerks office once again and deserves a vote!

If you're tired of the Travelgate scandal and wasting taxpayer money on answering routine Freedom of Information Act requests, Marva Campbell-Pruitt should be your choice for Village Clerk.  She is definitely our choice and earned this Endorsement!  Keep on working Marva!  You're MARVAlous!

FOR VILLAGE TRUSTEE- SAUK VILLAGE

RODRICK GRANT has a combination of youth, clear focus, knowledge and understanding of the problems facing Sauk Village today.  Grant has earned a Bachelors Degree in Finance and a Masters Degree in Business Administration and comes equipped with the tools necessary to serve as  Village Trustee.   Grant brings to the Village Board a youthful perspective that has been lacking in recent years. 

We strongly suggest that you consider RODRICK GRANT for Village Trustee on April 4th

BETH ZUPON is probably the best prepared candidate for Village Trustee!  Zupon is banking executive for a major international bank and understands how finance works.  Zupon served as Village Clerk from 2008 to 2009 and knows her way around Village Hall, the village's codes and the decisions that will need to be made.  Beth will be the "watchdog" over the Village's budget and spending and will provide a balance of pro-business and pro-growth stance that the Village Board has been lacking for the last four years. 

We strongly suggest that you consider BETH ZUPON for Village Trustee on April 4th.

BERNICE BREWER HOUSTON- As for the third Village Board seat we suggest BERNICE BREWER-HOUSTON.  We feel that Bernice will be an advocate for the residents.  She will ask the questions necessary and will not settle for  nonsense.  While we were on polar opposite sides with her positions four years ago, Bernice has tempered and toned down her message but still has been tenacious about getting information from Village Hall.  A "facts and figures" person that we like in her.  While you may disagree with how the message is delivered, you probably agree with Bernice on more things than you'd disagree with her on.

You should consider a vote for Bernice Brewer-Houston for Village Trustee on April 4th.

While we found that only one other candidate for Trustee has stood out in this election, we feel that once again, it is not her time.  Sene Garrett, failed in her bid for re-election to the School Board in 2015.  Since that time she has been virtually invisible from most Village Board meetings.  If you're going to run for public office you should at least attend Village Board meetings regularly an essential part of the job.  While the youth are critically important you cannot run an one issue campaign and use clever acronyms ala Debbie Williams to win. 

We cannot recommend a vote for Garrett at this time because she has aligned herself politically with the Williams family and we feel that would be to the detriment to the Village.  While they tout themselves as "independent" they are "One Big Happy Family".  Perhaps in two years, like Brewer-Houston had done, she will be ready for the task and make herself over!  Maybe this will be a valuable, if not a costly lesson for Garrett.


SCHOOL DISTRICT 168
School District 168 taxes Sauk Village residents the most on their tax bills and residents should familiarize themselves with these candidates.  There are no less 9 candidates running for 4 seats and three political factions running for School Board which are likely to cause confusion when voting.  The School Board is clearly divided, but they are united on many more important issues. 

We are not recommending or endorsing any candidates for School Board

GRANT REINSTATED FIRST ON BALLOT FOR TRUSTEE

RODRICK R. GRANT

Independent Candidate

Village Trustee

SAUK VILLAGE |  Village Trustee candidate Rodrick Grant has been restored to his first position on the April, 2017 ballot following an unprecedented election blunder by Village Clerk Debra Williams.

Grant's name was originally drawn from among the candidates who filed at 8am on the first day to file nomination petitions by Williams.  Williams failed to pull the remaining three candidates names to determine the ballot position instead held an unprecedented "do over" later that day re-pulling for first ballot position.

Grant filed a formal objection and complaint with the office of the Village Clerk and Cook County Clerk David Orr's office demanding that he be put back in first ballot position again and then the remaining three positions.

Earlier Tuesday Williams, for reasons unknown but certainly after consulting with the Village's attorney, reinstated Grant to his original first ballot position according to another candidate. 

Marva Campbell-Pruitt, who is opposing Williams for Village Clerk said she will "get it right the first year" she is in office.  "It will not take two terms" Pruitt said.  Pruitt blasted Williams for costing taxpayers money in attorney fees for not knowing her job.  "We must find a way to conduct our own investigations without paying attorneys to tell us how to do our jobs" Pruitt said.

Grant's name will appear first for the office of Village Trustee as an independent candidate.  Bernice Brewer-Houston, Independent Candidate will appear next followed by the former Village Clerk and now Independent Candidate Beth Zupon third.  The remaining candidates will follow.  The seats of Rosie Williams and Lynda Washington will be open as they are not running for Village Trustee in April.

Williams confirmed she will certify the ballot with Grant's name being first on the ballot for Village Trustee according to Grant Tuesday night.

"I'm very pleased that we were able to resolve this without having to seek other relief.  We only wanted what was fair and what was originally done according to the law" Grant said.

Grant is 27 years old and is youngest candidate seeking election and should he be elected as Trustee in April, 2017, Grant would be only the 7th youngest in Village history.

WILLIAMS CANDIDACY CHALLENGED

TRAVELGATE SCANDAL COULD KEEP WILLIAMS OFF BALLOT

SAUK VILLAGE |  Shades of Travelgate, the so-called “personal trip” that Debra Williams and her daughter Trustee Rosie Williams took to a Building One America Summit in July, 2013, continue to plague the Village Clerk.  

Former Village Trustee Francine Anderson filed a formal objection to Debra Williams’s candidacy for Village Clerk claiming that she in fact owes the Village money from the trip.  Anderson in her objection claims that Williams solicited “donations and sponsorships” in her official capacity as Village Clerk.  That Williams accepted a check for $500 from a village vendor and provides a copy of the check to support her claim.  Anderson claims that Williams did not deposit the money into the village’s account, as required under law, therefore, owes the Village said money.  Under Illinois law, a person cannot be in arrears on any debt or owe money to a municipality and be eligible to run for office.  Anderson cites case law to support this claim in her objection.

To support Anderson’s claim, she included a copy of the Binding Opinion issued against Williams by the Illinois Attorney General stating Williams “acted in her official capacity as Village Clerk…” during the solicitation of funds for the Building One America Summit.

Anderson lists other objections to Williams’s candidacy along with several exhibits to support her claims.  Williams apparently notarized her own petitions, which Anderson cites that under Illinois law, that a Notary Public cannot notarize any document to which they are a party to within the document.

Attempts to reach Anderson for comment were unsuccessful; however, she did provide a copy of her 33 page objection to the Sauk Villager.

The objection further asks the electoral board for the recusal of certain members from serving on the board including the Village Attorney, David Hanks, Debbie Williams, her daughter Rosie Williams, Trustees Derrick Burgess, Lynda Washinton and Edward Myers for various reasons and conflicts of interest.  Typically Electoral Boards are not to have any conflicts of interest in the matter which they are to decide.  The Mayor, Village Clerk and the senior most Trustee which would be the daughter of Debra Williams, Rosie Williams, would serve on the Board.  Anderson claims all three have a direct conflict of interest in rendering a decision in the matter.  Anderson claims that Rosie Williams was a participant in the Building One America trip and that Debra Williams is her mother. 

Williams was first elected in 2009 as Village Clerk and ran with former mayor Lewis Towers.  Williams is being challenged for Village Clerk by Marva Campbell-Pruitt, who currently serves as Vice President of the School Board.  Campbell-Pruitt challenged Williams in 2013 in a crowded four-way race and Williams won with less than 50% of the vote.  Campbell-Pruitt promises rebuilding faith and trust in the office of Village Clerk.  Campbell-Pruitt promises not to solicit village vendors for personal gain.

NO STUDENT GOVERNMENT DAY... NO MORE WILLIAMS DUO

Trustee Rosie Williams reading during a Village Board
Meeting on Tuesday, January 26 th night as a fellow
Trustee is speaking

OPINION EDITORIAL
SAUK VILLAGER STAFF

Let’s recap this last couple weeks shall we.  Let’s look at the pattern of arrogance and entitlement and you can be the judge.

Tuesday, January 19, 2016:          CONFUSION & ACCUSATIONS… Village Trustees Ed Myers and Rosie Williams engage in a debate on students of District 168 and how atrocious their reading skills are during Student Government Day in the past.  Rosie Williams even goes as far as to say that she believes teachers of District 168 might be helping students write their essays.

Monday, January 25, 2016:          ACCUSATION & DISRESPECT… School District 168 holds their regular school board meeting, Village Clerk Debbie Williams attends and has a meltdown.  Williams accuses students and teachers of academic plagiarism to get selected for Student Government Day.  Williams disrespected the entire School Board by storming out of the meeting but not before saying “I don’t have to sit here and listen to this shit…”.  Village Trustee Ed Myers apologizes for Williams disrespectful actions and for his comments made Tuesday.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016:          DISRESPECT… School Board President Philip Bazile is disrespected by Mayor David Hanks as he attends a Village Board meeting and Hanks does not allow Bazile to address the Village Board.

Wednesday, Januay 27, 2016:    DISRESPECT… School Board President Bazile calls a special Meeting for Friday to discuss the relationship between the Village and School District.

Friday, January 29, 2016:               APPROPRIATE ACTION! Village Clerk Debbie Williams, Trustee Rosie Williams and a handful of their supporters attend the School Board’s Special Meeting.  School Board members Bazile, Marva Campbell-Pruitt, Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones, Jimo Kasali and Deloris Green agree that School District 168 will not participate in Student Government Day.  The sister to the Mayor David Hanks, Mary (Hanks) Howard is the only one to disagree and wanted the district to participate.

The time for change is now!  Trustee Rosie Williams, and by extension her mama Village Clerk Debbie Williams have ruled Student Government Day for 10 long years now.  The Mayor and Trustees are often scolded before Student Government Day to behave themselves.  Why do grown adults need to be disrespected and told that they need to behave?  Seems like the child telling her parents what they need to do!

It’s time for change now!  Rosie Williams and her mama Debbie Williams need to be replaced so that new ideas, new concepts a new direction for Student Government Day can evolve!  As the School Board said Friday night new guidelines need to be established and work between the two body’s Intergovernmental Relation Committees needs to happen!   I believe one nonstarter is to have the Williams duo heading up any future Student Government Day events!

SCHOOL BOARD WILL HAVE NEW FACES

By Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Lost in the shadows of the Village Trustees election Tuesday night was School District 168 Board race.  There were 4 seats up for grabs Tuesday night and at stake control of the School Board, which appears by the results of this election will certainly change.

Marva Campbell-Pruitt, who ran unsuccessfully for Village Clerk in 2013 has come back strong with a decisive victory Tuesday night over challenger Latonya West.  West was supported by incumbent Board President Sharon Davenport and her Team Davenport.  Campbell-Pruitt will replace Maxine Towers, wife of former Mayor Lewis Towers, who did not seek election and was appointed as an interim appointment following the abrupt resignation of Melvin Stevenson this past November. 

Davenport herself was successful in her re-elected to a second term Tuesday night, but is not likely going hold on to the Presidency following the School Board’s reorganization.  Current Board Vice President Tammy Jones won re-election garnering the most votes in which only some 620 votes were cast as many just came to the polls to vote for Village Trustee. 

The third four-year seat was apparently lost by incumbent Sene Garrett to newcomer Philip Bazile by just a small 13 vote margin.  There were about 11 absentee ballots and a few provisional ballots that will take the Cook County Clerk’s office some time to sort through before official results are posted. 

It’s likely that both Davenport and Jones will not retain the office of President and Vice President.  “It doesn’t matter, it’s always been about the children of the district and that’s what matters most” Davenport said late Tuesday night.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of School District 168.  I wish the School Board members good luck” Garrett said.

Unofficial Election Results

4 Year Term (3 Elected)
Sharon Davenport (i)     357*
Tammy Jones (i)               377*
Sene Garrett (i)                 303
Philip Bazile                        316
Sandra Isom                       296

2 Year Term (elect 1)

Latonya West                    247
Marva Campbell-Pruitt 376*

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES Meet Marva Campbell-Pruitt

(This is the second in a series of profiles for candidates for School District 168.  All candidates were asked to submit their own profile and a photo.  Some did, some did not.  We will provide you a look at each candidate during this week.)

MARVA CAMPBELL-PRUITT
Candidate for:  2 Year Board Member

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Marva Campbell-Pruitt has been an active member of the community previously serving as chairman of the Sauk Village Human Relations Commission, Chairman of the Sauk Village Beautification Committee and Chairman of the Lincoln Highway Mural Project and other local projects.  Campbell-Pruitt ran in 2013 for Village Clerk.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE CANDIDATE'S PROFILE. (Note:  This information was provided by the candidate.  We do not endorse or necessarily agree with the views of the candidate which are their own):

 

Leadership, Not Politics!  I am honored to be a candidate to fill a two-year vacancy on the School Board for District 168, the elementary school district in Sauk Village, the Village in which I reside.  I have been approached to fill two vacancies in 2014.  The first was to have been an appointed position, and now this one, to actually run as a candidate to fill a two-year vacancy resulting from the untimely resignation of previous Board Member.

Most who know me, can attest that NO is not in my vocabulary when called upon to assist in any avenue where there is a need.  Fortunately, in this sphere, I have been called upon to utilize my expansive knowledge as a former educator; principal; Illinois State Board of Education approved facility/school superintendent and former Board Member for the Illinois Department of Corrections School Board.  By “Caring for the Community,” I am answering the call!

Marva Campbell-Pruitt has demonstrated leadership within the Village, as residents joined in creating a successful Community Garden program, and conducted weekly gardening sessions with a youth summer program.  She volunteered with Parks and Recreation activities where she dedicated herself to insuring that the 2013 Summer Work Program was a roaring success as she led a team of youth in cleanup activities throughout the Village.  She served on the Fire Departments Pancake Breakfast committee and cooked up delectable eggs, hosted the Village’s first and subsequent Movies in the Park activities.  Marva served as chairperson of the Illinois Lincoln Highway Mural Project that brought an historical landmark mural to the Village that was later used for the 2012-2013 vehicle stickers ( the mural is located on the side of Fairway Foods on Sauk Trail at Torrence.  Along with the Beautification Committee, under her leadership, the committee brought back the Hootsie Awards, hosted Annual Clean Green and Preen Weeks, and instituted Community Yard Sales.  The Human Relations Commission, under the leadership of one of the Commissioners, started a Youth Leadership Program for students, in partnership with the staff of Rickover Elementary School. 

Most recently, Marva serves on the School District’s Education Advisory Council and the Intergovernmental Committee.  She led her Sorority in its second year celebration of an International World Water Day at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry as we distributed 90 cases of water and information on water and energy conservation.  Her church, Grace United Church of Christ, orchestrated the original, “Sharing the Warmth” program whereby we adopted a classroom in each of the three schools in CCSD 168 to donate brand new coats.  One school asked that we provide uniforms as well.  We met that need.  Marva Campbell-Pruitt’s public service history is rich with professionalism, acts of volunteerism and proven community service.

With heartfelt dedication, Marva promises to utilize her educational expertise, previous experience as a school board member and involvement on the Illinois State Advisory Council to:

• Set the vision and goals of the school district;
• Adopt policies that provide the school district direction to establish priorities and meet its goals;
• Assure fiscal integrity;
• Encourage and increase the number of educational personnel who seek national teaching certification;
• Improve student achievement;
• Develop a definitive policy on anti-bullying by developing focused programs on character education;
• Collaborate with committees within the Sauk Village Board to increase student involvement in community events;
• Encourage student participation in varying educational and developmental programs (i.e. Junior Achievement, 4-H Clubs, ACTSO, Special Olympics, etc.); and
• Create pathways to increase the number of students with special needs who are currently placed out of district so that they will be served and taught in their home schools.

I truly believe that residents’ vote for me to the two-year seat will produce great dividends for the school district and set it upon a path of greater progress as I humbly believe that Our Children, Taxpayers and School Staff Deserves The Best!

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.

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.

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