Wednesday 5 April 2017

From the Mayors Desk



From the Mayors Desk



Election Day has come and gone and after the smoke cleared it appears that in May Sauk Village will have a new Mayor, new Clerk and four new Trustees.


 

Congratulations to all those that were elected last night.

 
Mayor Elect Burgess

Clerk –Elect Campbell-Pruitt

Trustees – Elect

  • Grant
  • Brewer-Houston
  • Todd

 As I stated prior to being elected Mayor……."I would do some things that the residents would like and some things that they wouldn’t". The same holds true for the new board.

 

This election was tough and divisive however, I ask residents and supporters to give the new board the respect you provided me. The new board will face many challenges on top of the learning curve for the newly elected (first timers).

 

Now that the elections are over and whether your candidates won or lost let’s all agree not only to stay engaged but to push ourselves to do even better. It’s time to put our feelings and differences aside and work together to keep Sauk Village moving forward while always remembering, that it’s ok to disagree but not be disagreeable.

 

In closing, if your candidates won, congratulations and enjoy the victory. If your candidates did not win, remember what President Obama said during this last Presidential election “no matter what happens the sun will rise in the morning”.

 

Thank you,

 

Mayor David A. Hanks

 

Monday 3 April 2017

Why I'm not Voting for Burgess






Recently, I was asked why I’m not supporting and voting for Derrick Burgess so in this post I’ll explain.
When it comes to the major issues in Sauk Village (see following bullet points) Burgess has voted against any positive growth for the last eight years in efforts to destroy our community just so he could have talking points and issues to campaign on during each of his attempts to become Mayor.


During this administration Burgess voted against the following key issue
  • Crime
    • Burgess was against the Public Safety Director
    • Burgess was against a Qualified / Professional Police Chief
    • Burgess voted against Police Department Collective Bargaining Unit Agreements
    • Burgess is not concerned with reducing or eliminating crime.
    • Burgess is only concerned in raising residents rates and increasing code enforcement with thoughts that he'll raise revenue by going after law abiding residents instead of the criminal
  • Infrastructure
    • Burgess chaired the Lake Michigan Water Committee and never brought one suggestion or project to the village board
      • Burgess is now campaigning for Lake Michigan Water however, as Trustee changed the name of his Lake Michigan Committee to the Public Works Committee after complaining that the Mayor gave him a committee that he could do nothing with and that Lake Michigan Water was a dead issue
    • Burgess voted against road and side walk infrastructure improvements while chairing the Public Works committee
    • Burgess voted against inter-governmental agreements which would have saved village residents on current and future infrastructure projects
  • Economic Development
    • While Burgess chaired the Economic Development Committee
      • Local business left Sauk Village because of Burgess non-friendly business approach and lack of willingness to work with local businesses
    • Burgess voted against providing tax incentives to recruit or retain business in Sauk Village. To name a few
      • Advance Auto
      • Jacobson
      • Dunkin Donuts 
  • Village Finances
    • Burgess campaigns on paying our bills and reducing the aging report however,
      • Burgess has voted against paying employees
      • Burgess has voted against paying vendors
      • Burgess has voted against annual budgets
    • Burgess inter-circle/personal advisors (Joe Wiszowaty, campaign manager/political advisor and Bernice Brewer-Houston, running mate) are bitter people that have made it their effort to destroy Sauk Village financially through litigation, print and social media. These two individuals have cost the tax payers of Sauk Village more than $62K in litigation and $50K in administration cost.....More than a $112,000.00



In closing, Burgess is out of touch with Sauk Village residents
What Sauk Village residents can expect under a Burgess administration
  • Big Talk......No Plan.....No Acton
  • Increased Debt
  • Higher Taxes
  • Increased fees against the law abiding citizens
  • Increased litigation due to his lack of knowledge
  • An administration filled with friends, family and patronage jobs promised from campaign…....sound familiar?
A Vote for Burgess                 =                  Return to 2009-2012












Thursday 30 March 2017

A Note to Sauk Village Residents



Dear Sauk Village Residents,

Next Tuesday, April 4th you’ll head to the polls to elect a new Mayor. While much has been accomplished without placing future generations further in debt over the last four years there is still a lot to do and the next administration will still face some old and even new challenges.

As Linda and I fade off into non-political retirement Sauk Village residents have a choice either to take a giant leap backwards or continued forward motion.

There are three candidates running for Mayor and only one has the vision and can keep the continued forward momentum that Sauk Village has experienced the last few years. The other two candidates based on their literature and comments at the recent board meetings and forum want to pick up where the previous administration left off.

Based on two of the candidate’s campaign promises and if elected will take Sauk Village further in debt placing the additional costs on you and future generations through floating bonds, taking out high interest loans and raising resident’s fees to record highs………Everything this administration has fought.

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

I have been vocal which candidates I’m supporting however, there are still residents asking who is best so I want to make sure it’s clear.

Next Tuesday, I and my family will head to the polls to vote for the following independent candidates.

·        Rosie Williams-Baig – Mayor

·        Debbie Williams – Village Clerk

·        Ed Myers – Trustee

·        Linda Todd – Trustee

·        Sené Garrett – Trustee

Sauk Village, if you don’t want to take a giant step backwards and return to the Sauk Village of five years ago of no order & decorum, excessive litigation, fear, bullying, extortion and crime join me next Tuesday and cast your vote for the above independent candidates.

Thank you,

Mayor David A. Hanks

Wednesday 29 March 2017

Sauk Village Senior Committee Report - March 28, 2017



Sauk Village Senior Committee Report

March 28, 2017


Deadline Tuesday, April 11, 2017 to purchase, Bloom Township Senior Community Luncheon held on Tuesday, April 18, 2017. ‘ The Incognito’s’ will provide some memorable entertainment.

The AARP Smart Driver course will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 18 and 19. Pre-registration is required through the township Senior Department by completing enrolment application with a check or money order payable to AARP dated the first day of class.

Next line classes will begin Thursday mornings from 10-11 a.m. the following is the class three month schedule and the fee is $20 for the three (3) month session.
  • April 6, 13, 20, 27
  • May 4, 11, 18
  • June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29,
Openings are still available for several trips again this year. Call (708) 754-9400 for appointment and/or information. Affordable transportation available within the township, call (708) 754-8200 a couple of days prior to an event, there is no charge to the Community Luncheon.

Golden Agers meeting at Jones Memorial Community Center is on Wednesday,April19, 2017 at 220 15th St., Chicago Heights, Social hour at 10:00 a.m., 10:30 meeting and lunch served at 11:30a.m. For lunch reservation, call (708) 757-5395. Annual dues are $5.00 and lunch $5.00.

All senior citizens (50+ years), regardless of residency are welcome to attend the every Friday 12:30-3:30 p.m. Senior Open Activity. Bottled water and light refreshments are available. ‘Rummikub’ tile game is very popular with the attendees. However, we have other games available or you made bring your own game or craft.

The last Saturday of every month (every fourth Saturday), is Open Activity at the Sauk Village Senior Center. The next Open Activity was scheduled for March 25 and some seniors missed due to misinformation however, we look forward to seeing your next month.

The Senior Committee meets every second Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Meet the Mayor Presentation - March 18, 2017


During the March Meet the Mayor I presented what the Administration has accomplished in the last four years. With it being an election year there is a lot of false information being circulated to foster votes with lies.

If you couldn't make it to the Meet the Mayor below is the presentation for your viewing.

Note: If you need more time to read the slides press the pause button and then the play button to resume.



Sauk Village Trustees Refuse To Give Back To Residents.... As Promised


Sauk Village Trustees Burgess, Washington, Jones and Tates voted down giving residents a $1 per 1000 gallons reduction in water rates during the March 28, 2017, village board meeting.


One reason there are village board meeting minutes are so current and future boards can't have selective memory or claim lack of knowledge.


The March 3, 2015, meeting minutes clearly state that the $2.00 increase which raised rates to $7.50 per 1000 gallons was to pay for the water treatment plant project and if loan forgiveness occurred the increase is not needed and could be a savings for residents.


Sauk Village has received nearly $4 million in partial relief however, board members refused to provide relief to village residents and now have other plans for the money.


Isn't time to give back to our residents......some Trustees think not.


Know how your Trustees vote on issues that impacts you and your family.

Sauk Village Public Works Board Meeting Report - March 28, 2017


Sauk Village Public Works Board Meeting Report


By: Director Kevin Weller
March 28, 2017


Item 1 Public works yearly programs will begin in April. First item hydrant flushing April 4 on the south side of town, south of Sauk Trail & west of Torrence extending and finishing in Deer creek.

Item 2 April Street sweep begins Monday the 10 please keep all vehicles off the street during the garbage pickup date this assures that each street gets completed.

Item 3   Water loss fact sheet, Copies of Illinois rural water association sheet can be picked up at Village Hall and will be placed on line to understand how a simple leak can cause your bill to go up. Resident who have question can call the village hall and make an appointment to have staff come out to check village equipment.

Item 3   IDOT road resurface work will begin April 10, Nicor Gas will be working at Burnham & Sauk Trail expect traffic delays during this improvement. All other work will follow from sidewalk at Sauk trail & Torrence to resurfacing from Torrence to Rt 30. Estimated completion date August.

Item 4    After the mild winter staff has been out daily doing pothole work, this is temporary due to the asphalt plant not producing permanent patch, once they open for the season we will be back to do a final patch.