VILLAGE SETTLES LAWSUIT

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Village officials voted unanimously Tuesday night to settle a lawsuit with Susan Dobrzeniecki and her late husband Thomas for $290,000.  Dobrzeniecki, a Village employee since 2003, brought the suit against several village police officers as well as St. James Hospital and two of its emergency room doctors, alleging that she was unlawfully committed and her home was unlawfully searched in retaliation for conflicts between her family and the Sauk Village Police.

In Dobrzeniecki’s 8 count lawsuit filed in Federal Court she alleges that her Fourth Amendment rights were violated, that she was falsely imprisoned by the hospital and she also sought to recover against doctors and the hospital for intentional misrepresentation, medical malpractice, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligent infliction of emotional distress.

The entire incident unfolded on November 9, 2009, after members of the Sauk Village Police Department informed Dobrzeniecki, while she was at work at Village Hall, that her son was shot and was in the hospital.  While at the hospital visiting her son a member of the Sauk Village Police Department along with Hospital Security escorted Dobrzeniecki from the room into a secure room in the Hospital’s emergency room where they informed her, wrongfully, that they had a court order to hold her since she had allegedly made the statement earlier “I’m a good person.  Why does this keep happening to me?  If something happens to my son, I’ll just die” according to Federal Court documents and court transcripts.

A Police officer asked her to turn her purse and jacket over to them and they would give them to a friend who had driven her to the hospital.  According to court documents, police officers allegedly removed her keys to her home and without any court order went to Dobrzeniecki’s home and “illegally” searched it while her wheelchair bound husband repeatedly told officers to leave.  Officers used as a pretext a search the home, that they were searching for the gun which shot her son, but according to Federal Court records there was no reason to reasonably believe a gun was at the home nor was there a search warrant.

During the time that followed hospital personnel kept Dobrzeniecki under video and audio surveillance.  According to Federal Court documents, Hospital defendants “failed to observe the procedural protections against wrongful involuntary commitments, and their treatment of Susan fell below the standard of care”.  Dobrzeniecki was transferred to a psychiatric hospital on orders from a doctor at St. James Hospital and later released.

Without any discussion from the board of Trustees Tuesday night, the vote to approve the settlement was unanimous.  Taxpayers will only be responsible for the first $50,000 while the Village’s insurance carrier will pick up the other $240,000 according to Village officials. 

NATE BURNS MURDER FACES ADDITIONAL CHARGES

DEVON STIDWELL (Source Cook County Sheriff)

CHICAGO |  A Cook County jail inmate already behind bars on a murder charge tried to hire someone inside the jail to kill three witnesses against him, according to police.

 

Devon Stidwell, 19, has been in jail since Sept. 19, 2014, on murder charges in connection with a Sauk Village case involving Nate Burns, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office.

Sheriff’s police learned in November that Stidwell was trying to hire a hitman, a statement from the sheriff’s office said.

 

He twice met with an undercover sheriff’s officer whom he thought was a hitman, and offered to pay $5,000 each to have three witnesses killed, police claim.

 

Stidwell, of Ford Heights, is now charged with solicitation of murder and solicitation of murder for hire, the sheriff’s office said.

 

Already being held without bond on the murder charge, he will appear in bond court Saturday on the new charges.

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Police-Man-in-Jail-for-Murder-Tried-to-Have-3-Witnesses-Killed-288891581.html#ixzz3P5YfQX38

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL: HOLCOMB AND HOUSING COMMISSION VIOLATE LAW

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

Murders Top Headlines of 2014 - Top 10 Stories

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  As 2014 comes to a close in the next few hours, I wanted to reflect on the top 10 stories that made the news.  Sauk Village's murders definitely took the top spot in the news as the number of murders has increased!  Many good people, long-time residents and friends were lost along the way.


#10:  FEBRUARY 19, 2014:

FORWARD MOTIONS NOW WILL INCLUDE LAYOFFS- 23 Year Veteran & Deputy Fire Chief Axed

 

 

Lisa Gibbons

 

SAUK VILLAGE|  A 23 year veteran employee of the Sauk Village Police Department and the Deputy Fire Chief were axed by the Hanks Administration today.

Police Chief Timothy Holevis was summoned to the office of Mayor David Hanks early Wednesday morning who apparently gave the order to place Lisa Gibbons on layoff status.  It was also learned today that another head would roll.  Deputy Fire Chief Rich Atwood, a longtime veteran fire fighter was also placed on “layoff” status today.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE....

 

 

 

 

#9 MARCH 23, 2014:

TRAVELGATE: ATTORNEY GENERAL DEMANDS VILLAGE CLERK RELEASE ALL RECORDS

 

VILLAGE CLERK DEBBIE WILLIAMS

SAUK VILLAGE | After a 7 month battle with the Village and their attorneys, the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office has finally determined that the Village  possessed records responsive to our Freedom of Information Act request from July, 2013 and has violated the Freedom of Information Act.  “The vindication by the Illinois Attorney General shows that this Village Clerk and this Mayor have been anything but open, honest, transparent or accountable to the people” Joseph Wiszowaty states. 

 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE....

 

 

#8 APRIL 29, 2014:

4 TO 3 VOTE HIRES CONTROVERSIAL SUPERINTENDENT

 

Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak
Sauk Village's new Superintendent of Schools

SAUK VILLAGE |  School District 168 School Board approved hiring the controversial candidate for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak to replace retiring Superintendent Al Travaglini.  Travaglini took over as Superintendent in 2011.

The vote to hire Leak was 4 to 3 voting yes were Mary Howard sister to Sauk Village Mayor David Hanks, Aisa El-Amin, Deloris Green and Jimo Kasali and voting no were School Board President Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones and Melvin Stevenson.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

 

#7 JULY 23, 2014:

WATERGATE SCANDAL GROWS, WATER FUNDS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER REMOVED AND RESIDENTS WONDER

LtoR Housing Commissioners Heidi Parker, Gary Holcomb

and Sharon Nowak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Controversy has fallen on the Sauk Village Housing Commission and calls for investigations have quietly begun.  The new scandal involves the Village's water fund which has been under intense public scrutiny given the Village's past practice of balancing the budget with water funds.  Residents were paying $3.50 per 1000 gallons of water are now paying $7.50 per 1000 gallons and bills have skyrocketed.

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

 

 

 

#6 SEPTEMBER 23, 2014:

SAILSBERY SWORN-IN AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  Rebecca Sailsbery was sworn-in as Deputy Chief of Police once again last week privately and formally Tuesday night during the Village Board of Trustees meeting.  Sailsbery previously had served as Deputy Chief of Police from 2007 to 2010 and Interim Chief of Police from October 2010 to December, 2010.

Sailsbery has been serving as the Department’s Administrative Sergeant since 2010 through the tumultuous times of former Chief Frank Martin, who had the shortest tenure in Sauk Village history.  Also, during the 18 months of Tim Holevis as “acting” Chief of Police, the temporary Chief of Police Robert Fox from November, 2011 to November 1, 2012....

 

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING... 

 

 

#5 OCTOBER 12, 2014:

Beware of Politicians Bearing Gifts at Election Time...

especially $4.8 million

 

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

 

#4 SEPTEMBER 8, 2014: 

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL RULES SAUK VILLAGE VIOLATED FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

DEBBIE WILLIAMS

VILLAGE CLERK DEBBIE WILLIAMS MUST DISCLOSE DETAILS ON TRAVELGATE

SAUK VILLAGE| The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office issued a rare 10 page binding opinion against the Village of Sauk Village concerning a request for information about Village Clerk Debbie Williams’, her daughter Village Trustee Rosie Williams and a Village vendor Patricia Couch’s trip to Washington D.C. in July, 2013 to attend the Building One America conference.  Madigan’s office declared in their opinion that the Village had “violated the (Freedom of Information) Act” by not providing full and complete disclosure about the trip, which they determined was subject to public disclosure.

 

***CLICK HERE*** TO VIEW THE 10 PAGE I.A.G. OPINION

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS STORY....

 

#3 SEPTEMBER 14, 2014:

Youth Gunned Down in Sauk Village

Duane McCray- Courtesy of
Facebook

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE | Another young man was killed Saturday on the streets of Sauk Village, the third since June of this year. 

 

Duane McCray, 20, was shot in the 21700 block of Peterson Avenue in Sauk Village, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:40 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said.  McCray attended Sauk Village schools and Bloom Trail High School.

 

 

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#2 JUNE 7, 2014:

MAN DEAD, WOMAN STABLE FOLLOWING SHOOTING

John McIntyre

Contributions by: Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | A man was pronounced dead and a woman was in stable condition Saturday following shootings in Sauk Village, police there said.

At 12:05 a.m., Sauk Village police responded to a call of a woman in the 2100 block of 217th Street with a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found a 19-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the face and a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the head.

 

 

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#1 STORY OF 2014...  AUGUST 19, 2014:

2 CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF NATE BURNS

Nate Burns killed August 14th

MARKHAM | On August 14, 2014 at approximately 1:45pm, the Sauk Village Police 911 Center received a report of several people shot, in the 1700 Block of Sauk Trail Rd., Sauk Village, Illinois.  Upon arrival, officers learned 4 people had been wounded by gunfire.  All the victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment.  One male victim, Nathaniel Burns, 16, of Sauk Village later died from his injuries. 

During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned the identity of three suspects.  Two suspects have been apprehended and were both charged late Monday night by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.  Charged with First Degree Murder are Lamika Overall, 19, of Steger and Shaquille Wilson, 20 of Sauk Village.

 

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PERSON OF THE YEAR - 2014: Dr. Donna Leak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Congratulations Dr. Donna Leak!  Leak is the Sauk Villager’s Person of the Year-2014!  Leak is Sauk Village School District 168’s first African American woman to serve as Superintendent of School.  Leak’s appointment as Superintendent was approved by a 4 to 3 vote but has quickly earned the respect of the School Board members and the community.

Leak and her staff have been reaching out to the community in some of the most successful attempts I’d ever seen!  The Back to School Bash was an absolute success!  The event didn’t cost taxpayers a penny!  Donations were solicited from Walmart, Target and Sauk Village’s own Fairway!  Leak brought together staff and school board members and had over 600 people attend, a number which far surpassed their expectation.  We look forward to a repeat success in 2015.

Leak also has put together Community Relations Advisory Councils including Parents, Teachers, Local Educators and Community members, residents and stakeholders within the District in a move to gather greater input from all segments of the community.  Leak also instituted a monthly Parents Coffee with the Superintendent.

Leak will face many challenges in the coming years by improving the School Districts abysmal standings.  “We need to improve our schools so that we can encourage young families to move to Sauk Village and become homeowners” Kelvin Jones, a candidate for Village Trustee said.  “Schools are an important part of what homebuyers look for when deciding where to move” Jones said recently.

Leak has been involved within the community attending Town Hall meetings and community events and has truly hit the ground running!  Hats off to Dr. Donna Leak, keep up the good work and we look for some exceptional improvements to District 168 and a new brand of leadership.

This was a very tough decision this year as others were considered for this distinction including Bill Hall who has worked tirelessly on putting together the Shine On Sauk Village Gospel festival for many years.  Trustee Derrick Burgess, even though he was 2013’s Person of the Year, he has continued to serve as an advocate for the Residents of Sauk Village.  Nannette Wargo for her many contributions to continue the Village’s Community Garden.  Reverend Melody Seaton of the new Grace United Church of Christ, which re-opened in Sauk Village after a brief hiatus was another candidate for this year’s honor.  Melody in her first year organized, with members of her Church, a drive to purchase new coats for needy Children in Sauk Village public schools.