SAUK VILLAGE | After months of back and forth and delays by Mayor David Hanks, the Public Comment Ordinance finally had a vote, after over 30 minutes of debate, and the vote failed 4 to 2. Trustees claim that the recommendations by the Ordinance Committee were just too restrictive and did not go far enough to permit the public to comment. Trustees also said that it essentially this was the same ordinance already on the books.
Originally Trustee Cecial Tates introduced the idea of expanding public comment during Village Board Meetings to any topic on the agenda. Currently the rules only permit Public Comment on "agenda items only" during the Village Board meetings held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday with Hanks routinely telling residents "that is not on the agenda" and that they he would not permit the question or comment to be stated. There are currently two pending complaints filed with the Illinois Attorney General regarding Sauk Village's Public Comment period which are still under review. Another recent incident of the public getting shot down was School District 168 Board President Philip Bazile who was told he could not address the Village Board concerning matters involving the School Board.
Trustee Derrick Burgess introduced the original Ordinance to the Trustees about six months ago. The ordinance which Burgess introduced at that time merely did away with the restriction which only allowed public comment on agenda items only. "Look the Attorney General and the Open Meetings Act laws are clear, they state that the public has a right to comment during our Village Board meetings. We do not have a legal right to restrict public comment" Burgess said following the meeting.
Trustees Burgess, Tates and Kelvin Jones were joined by Lynda House in voting against the measure while Trustees Ed Myers and Rosie Williams (who voted by phone) supported the move which virtually kept the same ordinance in place. The ordinance which failed did add new provisions imposing penalties to the public who violated the ordinance. "I do not believe people want to be arrested for coming to a Village Board meeting, speaking their mind because it violates David Hanks' petty, capricious and arbitrary rules" Tates said after the meeting.
Burgess offered an alternative Ordinance, which took the Village's original ordinance and merely did away with the language "on agenda items only". Burgess said that it was the exact same ordinance which was drafted by the village's current Attorney when it was originally passed. Tates suggested that since the issue is on the agenda the Village Board should vote on the Ordinance offered by Burgess. Village Attorney Matthew Burns of Odelson and Sterk said that the vote on Burgess' proposed Ordinance would not be proper because it was not on the agenda. Tates disagreed and said that it's the same ordinance and same action. "If one Ordinance does not pass and the other does then there is no violation of the law" Tates said. Burgess wants the matter on the Village Board's Committee-of-the-Whole meeting for next week with a vote to follow the week after.
Hanks believes that the Ordinance needs to go back to the Ordinance Committee. Burgess said it does not that the Board does not accept their recommendation. "The Board voted 4 to 2 and does not accept the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee, why send it back to them other than to delay another vote and delay the public's questions. What is he (Hanks) afraid of"? Burgess said following the meeting. Myers agreed that the Ordinance Committee already looked at the matter gave their recommendation.
"Many public bodies do not need to adopt the recommendations of committees, this Village Board is no different. We need to allow the public the opportunity to speak to their elected officials. They have delayed this, and put more road blocks to deny the public their right to speak" Tates said following the meeting.
Saturday, February 13, 2016
Saturday, February 6, 2016
THERE'S A RUMBLING IN SAUK VILLAGE...
OPINION EDITORIAL - There's a rumbling in Sauk Village! Indeed a rumbling! Many voters are fed up with Sauk Village's Mayor David Hanks, Village Clerk Debbie Williams and the treacherous-trio of Bobble Headed Trustees Rosie Williams, Lynda Washington and Ed Myers! This was easily seen in the 2015 election as not a single person endorsed and supported by David Hanks or Debbie Williams won election to the Village Board! Nor did a single candidate supported by Hanks and Williams garner even 40% of the vote in 2015! The voter apathy was a telltale sign of the exasperation of the residents of Sauk Village over the abject failure of the Hanks/Williams administration. Somehow this group have gotten the idea that the Village is their own personal fiefdom.
Many residents, including long-time residents, are fed up with the abuse of their authority, the political theatrics and circus atmosphere and are sick and tired of paying the Mayor and Village Clerk a salary when meetings are routinely cancelled and the business of the Village is not getting done in an open and transparent process. Keep in mind, these individuals were elected to hold OPEN and PUBLIC MEETINGS, identify issues facing Sauk Village, share solutions to those issues and vote IN PUBLIC for the solutions they have, reach out and compromise and working together! Yet the residents and taxpayers do not see this happening from this administration and his allies! These individuals are not lobbyists supporting one group or another, they were. elected to represent all community members. Clearly they have failed in their duty and their oath! If the residents want to attend a show or a sporting event they could very well go to the movies or a sporting event. Seeing the childlike theatrics of Hanks with his condescending attitude and contempt for Village Trustees he does not agree with is outrageous! Hanks' predecessor never conducted himself in such a childlike manner, and I never agreed with how he handled village business or issues facing Sauk Village.
Supporters of David Hanks, Debbie Williams and the treacherous-trio of bobble heads believe that cutting Village Meetings to only two per month; a 40% reduction, is a "cost savings initiative"! While I agree it will reduce the Village Trustees stipend, it would only be fair that the Mayor and Village Clerk should "give back" the identical percentage of their salaries. Traditionally, Trustees are paid for 5 meetings per month (2 board committee, 2 board meetings and 1 trustee chaired committee) at $125 per meeting that they "actually attend" (emphasis added on "attend") for a total annual savings of $18,000. So, if the Mayor and Village Clerk volunteered to "give back" 40% of their salaries, Hanks reduction in pay would save taxpayers some $7,600 per year and Williams reduction in pay would save the taxpayers another $6,800 per year saving the Village a total of $32,400! All of which could be given to Parks and Recreation for programs! BUT! Now we would see if these two really cared about "cost savings".
Village Board meetings are business meetings and should not be used as a bully pulpit for Hanks and Williams to pontificate nor an acting stage for Lynda Washington's play! REALLY A PLAY? Hanks and Williams supporters believe that the 3 Un-Trustees that don't support Hanks should not be paid because they offer no viable solutions for the Village's problems. My question to them is: What "viable solutions" have David Hanks, Debbie Williams, Rosie Williams, Ed Myers or Lynda Washington proposed? Nada, None, Zilch! The Village's General Funds Deficit continues to grow, the Village's finances are an absolute mess, David Hanks' treasurer is indicted and he's still on the payroll, Village Employees continue to file grievances and lawsuits that are instigated by David Hanks himself!
Hanks has had total control of the Village Board and the Village since 2012...What improvements have been realized in the Village since then? Where are the solutions to these problems that he and his supporters constantly squawk about? For some strange reason, they blame the 3 Un-Trustees. So who is to blame for Sauk Village's steady decline? David Hanks, Debbie Williams and the treacherous-trio of bobble heads!
You better believe there is a rumbling in Sauk Village and the taxpayers are definitely restless! The residents' of Sauk Village signed and filed a petition of NO CONFIDENCE in this administration, the very first ever filed against a Mayor by the People of Sauk Village! The lack of confidence contributed to the tidal wave that swept two bobble heads out of office in 2015. As this administration's antics continue into 2016, they can expect a tsunami in 2017 that is aimed to sweep this garbage out of office and give the residents of Sauk Village a CLEAN START and a chance at a new beginning!
EDITORIAL NOTE: I would like to thank the supporters of David Hanks and Debbie Williams for inspiring this editorial. A loyal reader sent me a diatribe posted on social media.
Wednesday, February 3, 2016
MORE SHENANIGANS FROM HANKS & WILLIAMS
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| DEBBIE WILLIAMS |
Well it seems the drama at Village Hall continues as the business of the Village is put on hold until the administration figures out which lie they want to tell to the people. As many residents have begun to say "2017 cannot come soon enough". We agree!
Tuesday night's Village Board Committee of the Whole meeting was canceled by order of Mayor David Hanks because they are "looking into" an allegation that the agenda for the meeting was not posted 48 hours before hand as required by law.
If David Hanks and Debbie Williams knew for certain that they were in compliance with State law, why cancel the meeting?
Here's the answer! They are afraid of answering the people’s questions!
Why is it that Debbie Williams cannot post an agenda during normal hours of business? Why is it that after being in office for now 7 years, Debbie Williams cannot post the agenda on the Village's website all by herself and the taxpayers have to pay someone else to post it? Why is it that Debbie Williams "posts" the agenda for public meetings on Sunday evenings in a locked vestibule where the public has no access and not during normal business hours? If Debbie Williams cannot get the job done, then perhaps the $100,000 per year "consultants" that David Hanks hired can get the job done in a timely manner during business hours? Why is the Village Clerk paid a salary if she’s not getting the job done?
Why is it that the Village Board agendas are not posted and ready for the Trustees and the public to view by Friday at noon? There was nothing on this last agenda that should have been last minute, in fact there were only three items on the agenda which were routine items dealing with abating bonds and nothing else.
These two are so busy playing politics and not getting their jobs done that they would rather hold up the business of the people and the progress of the Village! Stop blaming others because you cannot or refuse to do your job because you're too busy playing politics. Stop playing politics! The people of Sauk Village deserve better!
Here’s a “cost savings initiative” for every meeting not scheduled or not attended on a Tuesday or one that is cancelled have David Hanks write a check to the Village for $365.48 (1 week's pay) and the Debbie Williams $326.92 (1 week's pay)! That would save the taxpayers $692.40 in addition to the Village Trustees stipend of $750.00 (Trustees are paid $125 per week for meetings that they "actually attend") that would bring this cost savings initiative to $1442.40 for each meeting David Hanks and Debbie Williams decide to cancel! After all fair is fair! David Hanks and Debbie Williams depend on your tax dollars to pay their bills for their households so don’t hold your breath Sauk Village!
Sunday, January 31, 2016
NO STUDENT GOVERNMENT DAY... NO MORE WILLIAMS DUO
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| Trustee Rosie Williams reading during a Village Board Meeting on Tuesday, January 26 th night as a fellow Trustee is speaking |
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!
Wednesday, January 27, 2016
HANKS DOESN'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT SAUK VILLAGE YOUTH
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| PEEK A BOO- I'LL SCREW YOU! |
by EDITORIAL STAFF
What is wrong with David Hanks and his main supporter and mayor wannabe Trustee Lynda "Harvey" Washington along with his gaggle of supporters these days? These people are so self absorbed, arrogant and full of a sense of entitlement that the business of the Village gets pushed aside for their own aggrandizement. Hanks disrespected and would not let the School Board President of District 168, Philip Bazile, address the Village Board of Trustees because something was not on the agenda, (NOTE: The Illinois Attorney General's Office is investigating three separate complaints filed against Mayor David Hanks and the Village of Sauk Village for violations of the Open Meetings Act for failing to let residents speak during meetings). Your Village Clerk, Debbie Williams had a meltdown at Monday's School Board meeting, demanding more time and spoke over the 3 minutes and now your attempt to remove Trustee Kelvin Jones from the Parks and Recreation Committee? Where is your mind these days! I think you have a wax ball lodged in between your ears because you are THICK and I don't mean portly!
At Tuesday night's meeting or "Political Theater Play", David Hanks was directing his actors and calls for the removal of Trustee Kelvin Jones as Chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. This was done after Hanks himself, interfered with the Committee's longstanding rules that the Chairman and the Committee were the only ones who granted access to the Community Center. Hanks didn't care about all that he did what he did. Hey Lynda Washington, you should write a play and you could have David Hanks and Debbie Williams be your lead actors and you could join right in there! I digress.
Let me step back a minute, Trustee Kelvin Jones was not permitted any input into Hanks' budget and in Hanks' Parks and Recreation Budget zero dollars was budgeted for any programs! But Hanks found $6,000 to blow up fireworks in 15 minutes for the Independence Day holiday. The only money that was allocated to Parks and Recreation was for a part-time Center Supervisor so kids can play basketball. But as what has been past practice, the Center Supervisor use to report to the Committee Chairperson. Well not so much! Hanks changed that directive and now the Center Supervisor answer to someone at Village Hall!
David Hanks has not attended a single event hosted by the Parks and Recreation Department since the April election! Last night Hanks said he wasn't invited. Really? So all those reports that Jones gave announcing events last year and inviting people to attend wasn't good enough King David, you want an engraved invitation too! This shows your complete contempt for anyone who disagrees with you or has the audacity to question you as a leader. You're pathetic!
I submit to you, David Hanks, that you intentionally set Trustee Jones up for failure and despite your efforts you have failed. Here are the FACTS:
1. You David Hanks and your treacherous-trio of Bobble Head Trustees pushed through with YOUR VOTE an unbalanced budget in 2015-16 which called for revenues of $34,854 from property taxes levied on homeowners (that would exclude you David Hanks and Lynda Washington)
2. You David Hanks and your treacherous-trio of Bobble Head Trustees approved a budget for Parks and Recreation calling for a $335,000 grant which you knew would not be funded in 2015-16, but it sure made you feel good as if you were doing something for the community!
3. You David Hanks and your treacherous-trio of Bobble Head Trustees approved a budget for Parks and Recreation total expense of $24,154 ($10,635.82 for a Center Supervisor position, $6,000 for your Fireworks, $500 for a phone and $7,000 for Operating Supplies). This means you took $10,700 and used it to balance your chicken wire budget on the backs of the kids of Sauk Village!
4. You David Hanks and your 5 Bobble Heads, after the April, 2015 election and prior to Jones and Tates being sworn in as Trustees were intentionally left out of budget hearings and talks and were not permitted to give their input into your joke of a budget for 2015-16. Yet your two lame-duck Trustees sat on the Village Board mute, dumb and ignorant.
5. With 6 months into the budget, only $13,550 was spent for Parks and Recreations out of the $24,154 that Hanks Budgeted! ($6,745 for the Center Supervisor, $6090 for Hanks' Fireworks, leaving $706 which was spent for telephone and operating supplies!
6. Zero dollars was spent on programs, because zero dollars was include in the budget for programs!
Do you really think that people should be out begging for even more money on the corners of Sauk Village to fund Parks and Recreations programs when you tax homeowners $34,854 but have only spent $13,550 as of December 1st?
Instead of calling for the Treasurer James Griegel's removal from office, an admitted criminal, you take the political low ground and use your last opportunity to speak during the meeting in a weak attempt to remove Trustee Jones from Parks and Recreation? My question King David, when did your sorry ass ever attempt to run the Parks and Recreation Committee? You sat your lazy ass on the Village Board for 13 plus years and never once did you volunteer to help Mary Seery, nor offer to take over and give her a break! The only kids in Sauk Village you give a damn about are your own, as you should, but YOU also should give a damn about the youth in the Village. You clearly have demonstrated you do not! You are one sorry excuse for a Mayor! You're a liar, an opportunist, arrogant and so self absorbed with your own power, you make the Emperor from Star Wars look like a Saint! As the residents of Sauk Village, you should resign but you are too arrogant and ignorant to figure that out.
NOTE: Ed Myers chastised David Hanks for his behavior and actions and left the meeting! Good job Ed, maybe you're seeing the light, we'll see.
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
FORENSIC AUDIT ORDERED BY PENSION FUND FOLLOWING ARREST OF TREASURER
The Pension Board consists of retired Sauk Village Police Sergeant Ted Sanders, current police members Sergeants Rebecca Sailsbery and Scott Langan and also resident William Bishop along with Griegel. The Board is separate and autonomous from the Mayor and Village government, however under Illinois law the Village's Treasurer serves on the pension boards.
Pension Board Members went into a closed session and came back out voting to approve a forensic audit of the entire Pension Fund according to Pension Board Attorney Cary Collins. The vote was unanimous. Sanders, who serves as Board President, will be contacting the auditors for the pension fund, Mulcahy, Pauritsch, Salvador and Co to obtain the costs for the audit. Sanders will report back to the Pension Board at their regular meeting January 21st. The Pension Board also voted on a Resolution to remove Griegel from the Pension Board's bank accounts and added Bishop as a signer to the account.
The Village has not been making regular contribution to the pension fund, required under Illinois law. The Village owes the pension fund over $2 million according to audit reports. The State of Illinois will begin allowing, this year, Pension Boards to appropriate state monies intended for villages General Funds to make up the shortages owed by villages to their pension funds statewide. Village's have been balancing their budgets with funds intended for pension funds.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
ST. JAMES FATE ALL BUT CERTAIN - "CLOSE AND DEMOLISH"
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ST JAMES HOSPITAL- Most of what you see in the
photo would be demolished if the Franciscan Alliance
cannot find a developer to repurpose the old hospital.
|
MATTESON | Get ready
everyone, St. James Hospital in Chicago Heights will be closing for good in
2018 according to CEO Arnie Kimmel.
Kimmel was addressing a crowd of about 150 people who turned out at
Victory Apostolic Church in Matteson on Saturday morning. Mayors from Chicago Heights, South Chicago
Heights, Steger, Crete, Olympia Fields, Lynwood along with Trustees Derrick
Burgess and Cecial Tates from Sauk Village were also in attendance.
Kimmel said there are plans to “reinvest” in the Chicago
Heights campus with possibly expanding primary care and other community
services, provided that the Franciscan Alliance can find a developer. Kimmel said that the Franciscan Alliance will be making an investment of $137 million into the Olympia Fields campus expanding it's emergency room and adding a new obstetrics unit. Kimmel said that the old hospital building is
showing its age. “$1 million this year
(will be spent) to keep the bricks from falling off the building” Kimmel
said. Over $500 million has been spent
by the Franciscan Alliance to subsidize the Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields
campuses, most of the money coming from their more profitable ventures in
Indiana according to Kimmel.
As part of the Franciscan Alliance $137 million investment, Kimmel said that they will expand their Urgent Care facility
at 211 Dixie Highway to include 24/7 urgent care.
Kimmel assured everyone that they will close their St. James Hospital
and Emergency room by 2018. Kimmel said
that they have over 470 beds between Chicago Heights and Olympia Fields
campuses and their average daily census between both facilities is 160.
Kimmel also said that the south portion of the old hospital will remain and will house a pharmacy and other services but no inpatient services will be at the Chicago Heights location.
State Representative Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) urged
Kimmel to consider a stand alone Emergency Room or adamantly demanded that they
explore ways in which to improve the Emergency Room at Olympia Fields so they
can turn EMS crews faster so they can get back to their communities like Crete
and Sauk Village which are much further away. Kimmel responded that it would violate Illinois law to have a stand alone emergency room "and even if the law were changed it would not be a good idea".
DeLuca also chastised Kimmel for his previous presentation
in Steger. “You see two words ‘close and
demolish’. You’ll have a very difficult
time turning that around. It should have
been three words, ‘improve, expand and development’” DeLuca said.
If Kimmel and the Franciscan Alliance cannot find a
developer that can repurpose the existing building about two-thirds of the
Chicago Heights hospital will be demolished.
Kimmel suggested public housing as a possible repurpose.
Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez, blasted Kimmel’s
suggestion about public housing. “We
already are saturated with enough vacant housing in our community” Gonzalez
said. Gonzalez also said that he was
concerned that any discussions should be done between the Franciscan Alliance
and the City of Chicago when it comes to talks of redevelopment o f the St.
James building.
“Where are the sister, if they are so concerned about what
we think” Keith Lott, a resident of Chicago Heights, said referring to the fact
that none of the sisters from the Order of St. Francis were in attendance at
any of the public hearings.
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| Chicago Heights Mayor David Gonzalez |
Discussions are ongoing with EMS and Fire Chiefs and Franciscan Alliance about improving the turn around time from the Olympia Fields Emergency Room according to Kimmel.
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