PROPERTY TAXPAYERS GOING TO PAY MORE

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 to Mohan Rao after the meeting.  “The Village can levy the lesser of 5% higher or the CPI (Consumer Price Index) which is at 1.7%” Rao said.  This year the Village’s levy is 1.7% greater than last year according to Rao.

Mayor David Hanks now faced the same predicament as his predecessor former Mayor Lewis Towers faced by taxing Sauk Village property taxpayers even higher.  The cash strapped Village has been borrowing from other funds just to make payroll and pay bills and once again is raising property taxes even higher than the tax-capped Village is usually allowed.  Once again, the Village has had to levy higher than the 1.7% tax cap allows to cover the bond payments for the Village Hall which officials had to borrow millions to build without seeking voter approval.

The Average struggling homeowner was billed an extra $136 to cover the Village Hall bonds.

Longtime Village resident Edward Sullivan said earlier this year, in published reports, “I don’t think it was right.  If anything has to do with my money, my taxes, my home – yes, I should have a right to vote on whether I want it or not” Sullivan said.

Originally the impact fees  from the Logisticenter were projected to pay for the Village Hall 2007 Series A bonds, however, the revenues fell way off their mark.  The problem is that the projections were dead wrong and property taxes are automatically raised to make the bond payments as the Village’s “full faith and credit” is used to cover the debt service on the bond’s repayment.

Taxpayers are also on the hook for a total of $46 million in these “Alternate Revenue Bonds” some of which were used to fund improvement in the Village’s Logistic Center.  The Tax Increment Financing Districts revenue thus far have been more than adequate to cover the debt service on these bonds.

Alternate Revenue Bonds make two promises.  The first promise to is to the residents that the payments likely won't end up on the property tax rolls, with the money instead coming from another source, such as impact fees, utility or sales taxes. The second promise is to the lenders that if the town's initial plan falls apart, as has been the case in Sauk Village, property taxes will go up to make payments and they have been.

 
Original material copyright 2013 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved.

Village Hall costing property taxpayers $5 million as Village sidesteps the property tax caps

UNSOLVED DOUBLE HOMICIDE ANNIVERSARY PASSES

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  The two year anniversary of an unsolved murder of two men went by virtually unnoticed.  Marcus Mireles and Abel Galindo were murdered in a house at 22642 Brookwood December 6, 2011. 

Mireles was 19, and Galindo just 18, were found by Wesley Thompson who was the listing agent for the property at the time.  Thompson said then he hadn’t shown the house in weeks, but the property’s owner would periodically bring prospective buyers through.

The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed at the time the discovery of the bodies, however, the Sauk Village Police Department refused to put out any formal statement at the time.  The department was being run by the now former temporary Chief of Police Robert Fox, a political appointee of former Mayor Lewis Towers.  Fox at the time refused to put out any information or even acknowledge the murder as the Chicago news media stuck around for several days getting information from outside agencies.

Both Mireles and Galindo had lived in Lansing, Illinois at the time of their murders.  Mireles suffered a gunshot wound to the head and Galindo faired much worse with multiple gunshot wounds, the incident was obviously ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. 

The family offered a reward at the time for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer or killers, however, no arrests have been made to date.  Sauk Village Police have not released any information with respect to the case to date.

Original material copyright 2013 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved. 

Mireles and Galindo

HANKS ISSUES DON'T PASS SMELL TEST

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 off 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.

Something just wasn’t passing the smell test and has been stinky since that flyer appeared.  I didn't like the flyer when I first saw it, I thought it was a cut and run piece but it raised many questions.  The flyer listed several mortgage recording numbers and dates which until recently I have not had the opportunity to investigate. Since that time I have looked into the the matter to see if I could confirm the allegations or if it was just nonsense. Well what I found does not pass the smell test and Hanks has some questions to answer!

It would appear that Sauk Village Mayor David Hanks has been voting from his current address, 1791 E. 223rd PL. since 1998 when he changed his residence, as required by Illinois law!   I do not argue the point that David and his wife have lived in their current residence since 1998 and that was their home!  A voter must change his voter registration within 30 days of a change in address. Hanks voted in every single election since then from the very same address! Very commendable and a good citizen, but wait there’s more.  (***CLICK HERE*** to see Hanks' Official Voting Record)

Here is where it gets messy and raised my eyebrows! Hanks voted in April and November, 2006 from the address he has resided since 1998, 1791 E. 223rd Place, Sauk Village, Illinois. The problem is that on December 23, 2006, Hanks took out a mortgage on a home he apparently did not live in at 1915 E. 223rd Street, Sauk Village and claimed by signing that document that he “shall occupy” and use the property as his “principal residence…” (***CLICK HERE*** to see Hanks' Mortgage Recorded with the Cook County Recorder of Deeds). It’s common knowledge that people get more favorable terms, better interest rates and more flexible loan to values if they claim a home is “owner occupied”.

To complicate matters Hanks signed, under oath, that he resided at 1915 E. 223rd Street, Sauk Village, Illinois (***CLICK HERE*** to see Hanks' 2007 Statement of Candidacy). So he must have moved back to his previous address at 1915 E. 223rd St. because in November 2006 he just voted from 1791 E. 223rd Place which is where he has been living since 1998, remember? Well looking at Hanks’ Official Voting Record, he voted in April, 2007 from his 1791 E 223rd Place address and NOT from his 1915 E 223rd St address that he swore was his address on his Statement of Candidacy!  So did he lie on the Mortgage from December, did he lie on his Statement of Candidacy or did he lie when he voted in April, 2007 stating that he lives at 1791 E. 223rd Place?   Smell test FAIL!

What makes this entire matter even more interesting is that the home at 1915 East 223rd Street was foreclosed on as the market conditions deteriorated in 2008 according to the Cook County Circuit Court Chancery Division. So during this entire time, Hanks was taking advantage of a homestead exemption, according to the Cook County Assessor's office, on a home where he was NOT apparently living.

Finally, I wanted to end another rumor that had been circulating that David Hanks filed for bankruptcy (Bankruptcy filings are public records). I paid out of my own pocket to do the research on this to confirm if David A. Hanks had filed for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy! Lo and behold, records confirm the fact that on March 25, 2004, while he was serving as your elected Village Trustee, David A. Hanks DID indeed file for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy! While I can't fault anyone for running into financial difficulties and trying to reorganize their financial situation, Mayor David A. Hanks did not appear to have learned from this experience since he subsequently foreclosed on what he claimed was his primary residence at 1915 E. 223rd St. address just 4 short years later. Again, this doesn’t pass the smell test!

According to US Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Illinois Case #04-11796, the case was discharged on July 19, 2004. What is interesting is that even though David A. Hanks listed 1915 E 223rd Street as his address of record on his Bankruptcy papers, the official voting records contradicts this as he voted from a 1791 E. 223rd St. address which does NOT legally exists. He did not correct this error of record to reflect his correct address of 1791 E 223rd Place until his Trustee re-election bid began in 2010 which is where he has voted since 1998 (***CLICK HERE*** to view Hanks' voter Registration Change 2010). So is it possible, was David A. Hanks trying to protect his asset at 1915 E 223rd St. by claiming it was “owner occupied” in his Bankruptcy filing when in fact it couldn’t have been since he was officially residing and voting at 1791 E 223rd Pl.?

Now the tough questions need to be addressed!

• Did David A. Hanks commit Mortgage Fraud, OR
• Did David A. Hanks commit Election Fraud, OR
• Did David A. Hanks commit Bankruptcy Fraud, OR
• Did David A. Hanks commit Voter Fraud?

Did David A. Hanks break the law at all or is all this information and evidence just wrong? Inquiring minds need to know because in just the past few weeks, Mayor David A. Hanks has depleted the Village's financial coffers of $449,806 to pay village’s debts that should have been accounted for in his budget and is now seeking a line credit in the amount $500,000, borrowing his way out of debt!  Raiding the Village's Water Fund to balance the Village's General Fund Budget is reckless.  This reminds one of the fiasco that occurred in 1986 when the Village was sued by Nanette Wargo and the late Nancy McConathy for using water funds to supplement the General Fund!  Since David Hanks wanted to look back in to what the Village's "past practices" were on handling the Village's finances, It only is fair to look at his past practices to see how he handled financial difficulties as well.  His method is financially irresponsible and the people now have his past practices on how he runs his finances!   

So if putting this information out here is “negative” then so be it! David A. Hanks is a mayor of a Village, is a big boy and is a public official, NOT a private citizen!   Most political leaders publish their tax returns, which they are not required by law to do!  They want everything to be out on the table in an open and transparent process.  We clearly have not had an open, honest, transparent and accountable administration in Village Hall thus far! 

The residents of Sauk Village are entitled to know this information which if known they can demand accountability from the Village officials about how their tax dollars are spent. Mine is not to answer these questions, but the questions I have raised certainly warrant serious considerations and serious answers.

LINKS:

You can check on the mortgage information by going to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds webpage http://12.218.239.81/i2/default.aspx   The address for the home in question during the election was 1915 E. 223^rd Street, Sauk Village, IL 60411.  The PIN Number for the property is 32-25-311-037-0000

Village Takes out Line of Credit to make Payroll:  CLICK HERE- NWI Times Article


NOTE: ALL information I have obtained is PUBLIC RECORD and was obtained online or through Freedom of Information Act Requests from the Village of Sauk Village, the Cook County Clerk’s office, the United States Bankruptcy Court records and the Cook County Recorder of Deeds office. 

Original material copyright 2013 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved. 

David Hanks, Mayor of the Village of Sauk Village

 

HANKS PLANS BORROWING 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.

At yet another “special meeting”, Hanks proposed that the Village take out a $500,000 line of credit so that it can make payroll when funds are low again.   Hanks said that Village Trustee Lynda Washington-House was the only Trustee who responded to his call for suggestions on how the village should handle the situation.  House’s response to Hanks was asking “what were the past practices”.  Hanks said that in 2007, 2008 and 2009 the Village borrowed the money and paid it back when funds came in.  This time, Hanks is not suggesting that when the money is used that it get paid back all at once.  Hanks suggested the village could “make payments” over time.

The Village was facing a financial shortfall for the payroll for this Friday, November 27^th, however money from the insurance carrier for the Sandy Cosey settlement and the special police detail paid by CN Railroad helped make up the short fall according to Mohan Roa Finance Director.

Hanks suggested that the Village was going to have to make budget cuts in the next budget cycle.  “This board is going to have to make some tough decisions”.  “We’re going to have to tighten our belts” Hanks said also stating that the Village has “cut overtime”.  Village Trustee Rosie Williams suggested raising property taxes to close the budget gap that is opening wider as opposed to making cuts to the budget.  The Village faces an inter-fund debt from the General Fund of more than $2.1 million as a result of the most recent borrowing. 

Village Trustee Derrick Burgess questioned why there was no maximum rate of interest that could be sought for the Line of Credit worded in the ordinance.  Village Attorney Michael McGrath suggested that the ordinance be amended to include language saying that the maximum interest rate “will not exceed 7%”.

The Ordinance to authorize Hanks to seek a line of credit was approved by a 5 to 1 vote with only Trustee Burgess voting no.  “I don’t think borrowing more money is the answer to the Village’s problems.  I’m waiting to see what his (Hanks’) plan is moving forward” Burgess said after the meeting.  “I’m only one person and one vote on this Village Board” Burgess said.



Original material copyright 2013 Sauk Villager News; all rights reserved. 

David Hanks, Mayor

HANKS LACKS LEADERSHIP

Opinion Editorial
Joseph Wiszowaty

I want to clear up a lot of baloney being thrown out by those who support the nonsensical administration.  They simply don’t get it so let’s look at the FACTS shall we:

I do not “misrepresent” Facts!  The fact is that facts are facts!  So let’s review some FACTS about the most recent financial mismanagement of Sauk Village shall we.

 

FACT:  The Village did not have enough money to pay for it’s debt service (which are Alternate Revenue Bonds for the Village Hall, Telecommunication Equipment and a Fire Truck).  That is a FACT.  Mr. Mohan Rao, Director of Finance stated this at the meeting of the Village Board November 5th!

 

FACT:  The Village should never default on it’s obligations, and I’m sure the administration agrees with this, but far be it from me to put words in David Hanks’ mouth.  But I’m assuming by the actions taken that is the case!  Question for him, if the Impact Fees were not enough to cover the debt service for 2007A, why didn't you levy the tax?  That is being irresponsbile!

 

FACT:  David Hanks sat as a Village Trustee and voted AGAINST the creation of the Cell Tower Fund and now has taken virtually all of the money from this fund to pay bills or do whatever he wanted with this money.   This Fund was created during the Lewis Towers administration and was suppose to be used for a purpose determined by the board at a later date.  This money would not have been sitting aside for such a rainy day had David Hanks had his way and the Trustees at the time voted his way!  How quickly some forget!  Here's a FACT.... I did not forget!

 

FACT:  The Village took money which was suppose to be used for other purposes to pay these obligations to the tune of $449,206, causing a $2.1 million deficit in the general fund, when you factor in the previous deficit which has not been paid back from the General Fund.  I'm still not in disagreement... YET!

FACT:  Mohan Rao stated that they would pay back the funds to the CN Railroad Noise Reduction Fund, the Water and Sewer Funds and the Cell Tower funds “provided” that the property tax money comes in March, 2014.  Here is where it gets REALLY interesting folks!

FACT:  The money Mr. Rao is speaking of was already PLEDGED to other expense in the 2013-14 Budget, thereby “unbalancing” the budget that David Hanks said was “balanced” in June, 2013.  OK STOP... this is where I have the problem with David Hanks now.... NO PLAN NO VISION! 

 

FACT:  The Village is either going to have to CUT expenses to the tune of $449,206 in order to pay the money back to those funds it borrowed from  OR the village will not pay that money back and the action taken on Thursday was a big fat LIE!

 

FACT:  When you “unbalance” the General Fund as they plan on doing in March, 2014 something must occur to rebalance the General Fund--- that’s not only common sense that’s GAAP! 

 

FACT:  This administration has proposed NO PLAN on how they plan to stop this irresponsible pattern that they jumped on the previous administration!  They continue the fiscal irresponsibility and of course his AMEN corner thinks it's OK?  REALLY?

 

Why is it that those who support this insanity are not asking questions of this administration?  They post questions directed toward me such as “How would you handle the finances?”  Why aren’t they posing these questions to this Administration?  I’m not the one who should be providing these answers, your Mayor and Village Board of Trustees should be!  Why not pose the questions to them?  I would have offered my suggestions, opinions, ideas and solutions to this administration had they asked for it; however, that’s not the case and I’m waiting on their plan! 

 

It makes no sense, you don't question your infalible Mayor but have an issue with me because I have the audacity to question the lack of leadership that he provides?  You can continue to "AMEN" him and worship him as you wish, I'm not going to stop asking questions and holding this administration accountable!

 

David where is your invisible plan?  Furthermore, why  aren’t the racists group of people asking to see your invisible plan?  They still want to get a peek at your political rivals and honestly even if you did see it you wouldn’t know how to implement it because you clearly lack vision.

 

These same small group of feable and narrow minded are hurting you David!  They’re clearly speaking on your behalf and make you look bad.  Stop being a coward and start being a LEADER, I’m greatly disappointed David!  It's as if Debbie is running Village Hall and you're just an insignificant figure head! 

OPEN LETTER TO DAVID HANKS....

by Joseph Wiszowaty
OPINION EDITORIAL

This letter is in response to a public post that "his dis-honor" posted on his "official" Facebook page!  How many mayors do you know that would make a public attack on a private citizen from an official Facebook page! 

A Message back to the Mayer,

 

I see that the Mayer wants to continue an online back-and-forth!  While decisions are difficult to make may question and the question of many residents… when are YOU going to make them public?

 

I think you have it wrong Mr. Mayer, your critics want you to do what is right, not for some but for all, you don’t govern for the minority, you govern for the majority too!  You’ve done enough sitting idle, you claim to be a “good man” however you’re not doing good things and it’s showing.

 

While you claim to be moving “forward” you continue to raise the General Fund deficit ($2.1 million today based on the 2011 audit and the $449,206 you just “borrowed”), just as your predecessor!  You remember the man you fought on EVERY SINGLE THING HE DID?  I am neither bitter nor evil, who are you to judge me, thought you were a Christian man Mr. Mayer?  I continue to do what you and I once agreed upon before you got in the big boy seat! 

 

You got into the Mayors job through dishonesty and being a rank opportunist rallying a minority behind a Rebel flag!  Make no mistake David you didn’t win an election with a “majority”, but time will tell on how that will shake down!  You won none the less, I am not bitter about that, that’s politics!  You only chose not to reach out to me following the election and your political lackeys (or minions or lemmings you pick) have now taken on the role of the “stupid people”!  AMEN’ing everything you say and do, while the MAJORITY sit in stunned amazement and your lack of vision!  You didn’t complain about the Facebook Page when it suited your message during Lewis Towers administration, but now you want to be critical?  Really!!!  How arrogant!

 

So now you seek my counsel and want my recommendations, my help and a plan to end the village’s financial situation!  The bigger questions residents should be asking is where in the Hell has yours been Mr. Mayor?  I never spoke about any invisible plan that  “invisible plan” is your plan that we are all still waiting to see.  Clearly you have never had a formulated plan or that “S.M.A.R.T.” Plan you spoke about during election time!  You are misleading the public through political bullying, and I will NOT ALLOW THAT and will continue to speak out on my opinion! 

 

You speak about your love of Sauk Village, funny I don’t remember your community involvement growing up in Sauk Village…  You were sequestered from the rest of Sauk Village!  The Church you attended was referred to as the “HANKS CHURCH”!  Who were you trying to kid?   Let’s get this straight, this isn’t about your Faith, I would never question that.  This is about where you were in Sauk Village before you became a police cadet?  What you were “allowed” to do and not do!  Don’t question MY LOVE for my hometown!  Who the Hell are you sir?  Sauk Village IS and ALWAYS will be my hometown and I will never forget that!  I have made lifelong friendships with many including people who religiously don’t believe the same way I do.  I do not need to be a resident to care about the people and the community that is my hometown, after all your publicist and political advisors do not live in Sauk Village and somehow they care too!

 

I am not inciting division; you’re doing a good enough job on your own of that!  Remember the attacks you made against the “black” people?  Putting RED “X’s” through their pictures because you didn’t agree with them labeling them as “LIARS” when you yourself are the biggest liar of them all! You have taken a community that was clearly already divided along racial lines and made it a huge fissure that will require the next Mayor to fix the mess you continue to make and perpetuate to this day! 

 

I work with and for nobody!  YOU SIR ARE A LIAR stop spreading lies!  You continue to LIE and mislead the people of Sauk Village and now you act like a child and not a Leader!  You are afraid to answer questions, you’re afraid to provide information to residents who you do not agree with.  I see NOTHING has changed David…. You’re the same childish David Hanks as you have always been, but now you sit in the big boy chair and have the BULLY PULPIT NOW and continue the same game!

 

Any time you want to sit down and discuss our differences in a neutral area, I’m all in!  You have my email, you have my phone number!  Stop the nonsense David!

 

I love Sauk Village and you continue the smoke and mirrors continue your lies and deception and continue your childish games!  When are you going to level with the people of Sauk Village Mr. Mayor and start acting like a leader?  When are you going to tell the people you’re going to either have to cut spending by $449,206, raise property taxes, or you lied and are not going to pay the money back to those funds you “borrowed” from?  It’s time to level with the People David!

 

Thank you,

Joseph Wiszowaty