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

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.

 

Sauk Village Administrator / Public Safety Director’s Report - March 28, 2017

Sauk Village Administrator / Public Safety Director’s Report

By: JW Fairman

March 28, 2017

Water Revenues:

With 5 days left in March and the full month of April yet to go, water revenues have exceeded last year by $119,870.53. It is projected that by fiscal year end revenues will exceed last year by as much as $400,000.

Treasurers Report:

It was brought to my attention that Mr. Wiszowaty posted a “BlogSpot” on his Facebook page indicating that the recent Treasurers Report neglected to include the payment information of myself and my assistant. I researched this claim and found that he was correct; as of yesterday the Treasurers Report was amended to include that information. Had the Village had the accounting software to generate this report errors such as this would be a non-issue. If you recall I have asked the Board in the past for funds to replace the Villages outdated accounting software.

However, and as Mr. Wiszowaty knows (through his recent FOIA on 1/15/2017) my income is $80,000 with no deductions plus reimbursements as fixed by contract. My assistant’s income is $20,000 with no deductions or reimbursements. Not the combined $125,000 he stated on his BlogSpot.

Also in his “BlogSpot” Mr.  Wiszowaty implied that I may have committed some sort of misconduct regarding pension laws. I have not. My Attorney also disagrees with his inferences and will address Mr. Wiszowaty and his claims, legally.

TIF #3 Project:

For approximately a year my assistant and I have been working, with the approval of the Mayor, to bring a Global Corporation to Sauk Village.  

The fiscal impact for the Village would bring much needed financial relief in the form of:

• Hundreds of local long term employment opportunities and mid-term construction jobs;
• Hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional property tax revenue and construction fees;
• Secondary development, bringing additional jobs, property and sales tax revenue as well as user fee and construction returns and finally;
• This corporation has indicated that it would be amiable to providing the Village with annual grants to help upgrade our public buildings and aging infrastructure.

The project was put on hold last August but as of a few days ago we were advised that it was beginning to move forward again. A tentative offer on property on the North end of TIF3 has been placed. This past Monday we were notified that on site due diligence was being conducted.

Secondary development, ancillary to this project, is proposing a truck stop and a “named” Hotel/Motel at the corner of 394 and Sauk Trail, adding approximately 50 additional employment opportunities.

Project and spin off revenue for the Village’s ailing General fund has not yet been estimated but it is projected that deficit spending for this Fund will be eliminated.

My assistant and I believe that Sauk Village can and should be the new leaders in economic development in the South Suburban area. I will continue to update the Board on the progress of this project as it occurs. The Village has been asked to withhold the name of the corporation until it can secure the necessary documents to move forward, at that time they will prepare a formal news release.

Sauk Village Police Department Board Meeting Report - March 28, 2017

Sauk Village Police Department Board Meeting Report

By: Police Chief Robert Kowalski

March 28, 2017

 

-CalCom Report: For a period between 3/14/2017 and 3/28/2017 the police department received 495 calls for service.

-Police Arrests:  During the period of 3/14/2017 thru 3/28/2017 the Sauk Village Police Department had a total of 36 arrests.     

-Cases of Note:

On 3/19/2017 Sauk Village Police was called to assist the ambulance on the 2000 block of 281th St. for an unresponsive baby. Upon arrival the 2 1/2 month old baby was not breathing and rushed to the hospital.   Due to the nature of this incident DCFS was contacted along with the SVPD Detectives.  An autopsy was conducted and was deemed inconclusive pending toxicology results.

On 3/23/2017 Sauk Village Police were called to Tony's Food and Liquor for a report of shots fired.  Upon arriving the Officers found the Victim, Offenders and Witnesses have all fled the scene.  Through investigative means the Officers were able to identify the Offender who were known to the department and later apprehended and charged with reckless discharge of a firearm.

On 3/24/2017 Sauk Village Police were called to the 21700 block of Peterson Ave. for a call of shots fired. Upon arriving Officers found the Victim, Offenders and witnesses all fled the area.  No one in the area wanted to cooperate with the police.

-Mentoring Program: Officer Josh Morris with the assistance of the Bloom Trail High School Truancy Officer Kim Kracik and the support of the Sauk Village Police Department have created a mentoring program for 12 to 17 year old boys which will be held at GRACE UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, 2500 E. 223rd St., Sauk Village, IL.  The mentoring program will begin on April 8th thru May 13th from 4pm to 6pm and will focus on respect for self and others, work ethics learning and self-growth, roles and relationships and drill movements and positions.  Flyers about the program will be on the back table for more information.

End Report.

 

Sauk Village Fire Department Board Meeting Report - March 28, 2017

Sauk Village Fire Department Board Meeting Report

By Fire Chief Al Stoffregen

March 28, 2017

 

Over the past 2 weeks, the fire department responded to 29 calls.

• 4 - AMB/PD ASSIST
• 7 - FIRE ALARMS
• 5 - LIFT ASSIST
• 1 - WIRES DOWN
• 1 - GAS LEAK
• 7 - VEHICLE ACCIDENT (10-50)
• 1 - STILL ALARM
• 1 - CO ALARM
• 2  - MUTUAL AID

Sauk Village Administrative Services Board Report - March 28, 2017

Sauk Village Administrative Services Board Report

By: Sherry Jasinski

March 28, 2017

• Business license renewals have been mailed out for the license period of May 1, 2017 through April 30, 2018.
• Contractor’s license renewals will go out on April 10, 2017 for the license period May 1, 2017 thru April 30, 2018.
• Animal Licenses go on sale April 1, 2017 the fees are as follows:
• Spayed or neutered fee is $10.00
• Not spayed or neutered fee is $25.00
• Senior Citizens 62 or older is $5.00 there is only one senior discount per household
• There is 125 tickets on April 6, 2017 court call

Morris Mentoring Boot Camp for Boys - All Saturdays (April 8 - May 13)