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Showing posts with label building department. Show all posts
Showing posts with label building department. Show all posts
Sunday, September 18, 2011
The story behind the Public Works employee and truck being used to fix a private business's sign
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Dear Fellow Residents,
I am a concerned 20+ year resident of the Village of Justice, IL. I am writing this letter because I witnessed and experienced a situation a few weeks ago that made me very uncomfortable with the governance of our community.
I was on my way home on August 22, 2011 when I saw a Village of Justice Public Works employee using a Public Works “bucket truck” to work on a large sign of a private business in the Village (Canterbury Inn, 8350 S. 88th Ave., Justice, Illinois). I couldn’t believe it when I saw Village equipment and personnel being used for non-Village business. This was happening just after I passed one of the entrance signs to our community that is being overgrown with weeds and where the grass has not been mowed in weeks.
I carry a digital camera in my car for work and managed to take 2 photos.
I have lived in the Village of Justice for over twenty years. Our Village, like many others is experiencing severe financial difficulties with a projected deficit of $500,000 for this year. To make matters worse the Village cannot borrow any more money as it has exhausted all of its borrowing power last year.
The Public Works Department is short handed and cannot keep up with all the necessary street, sewer, culvert and retention pond maintenance, etc. Rumor has it that because of the large budget shortfall two of the six Public Works employees may be laid off next month.
I attended the Village Board meeting that evening and questioned the Mayor and the Board about what I had witnessed. I told them that I understood that Public Works was understaffed and was having trouble keeping up with all their work, but couldn’t understand why the Village was doing sign maintenance (changing light bulbs inside the sign and putting up letters on the sign) for a private business using Village equipment and personnel.
Mayor Kris Wasowicz answered by first making a derogatory remark to me, “I didn’t know that election season had started already Mr. Koslowski.” I was very surprised that he said this in this public forum. I replied “Please correct me Mr. Mayor, I thought we lived in a Democracy where citizens are allowed to ask questions of their representatives when they see something that isn’t right.” The Mayor then explained that the use of Village employees and Village equipment to do work for private citizens or private businesses is something the Village does for some people and some businesses. The word "some" is very alarming. How does a community of 12,500 residents decide what services "some" receive versus what services others receive. Shouldn't every resident and business be treated equally? The Mayor said they are going to bill the Canterbury Inn for the work on the sign. I don’t believe for a minute that the Village was going to bill for this work until I caught them and brought the matter forward in a public forum. I asked if I could get a copy of the billing invoice and the check. I was told I would need to FOIA the information. I intend to follow up with the Clerk and FOIA the information.
As a side note: The Canterbury Inn has been used many times in the recent past for political events by the political parties of the current Village officials including “Friends of Kris Wasowicz” (the Mayor), Friends of Kathy Svoboda” (the Village Clerk), Coalition Party of Justice and the Village Voice Party.
I’m not sure if what I witnessed is something that you consider “newsworthy,” but it does appear to be an attempted abuse of the public trust and public funds.
Sincerely,
John Koslowski
Citizen – Village of Justice
I am a concerned 20+ year resident of the Village of Justice, IL. I am writing this letter because I witnessed and experienced a situation a few weeks ago that made me very uncomfortable with the governance of our community.
I was on my way home on August 22, 2011 when I saw a Village of Justice Public Works employee using a Public Works “bucket truck” to work on a large sign of a private business in the Village (Canterbury Inn, 8350 S. 88th Ave., Justice, Illinois). I couldn’t believe it when I saw Village equipment and personnel being used for non-Village business. This was happening just after I passed one of the entrance signs to our community that is being overgrown with weeds and where the grass has not been mowed in weeks.
I carry a digital camera in my car for work and managed to take 2 photos.
I have lived in the Village of Justice for over twenty years. Our Village, like many others is experiencing severe financial difficulties with a projected deficit of $500,000 for this year. To make matters worse the Village cannot borrow any more money as it has exhausted all of its borrowing power last year.
The Public Works Department is short handed and cannot keep up with all the necessary street, sewer, culvert and retention pond maintenance, etc. Rumor has it that because of the large budget shortfall two of the six Public Works employees may be laid off next month.
I attended the Village Board meeting that evening and questioned the Mayor and the Board about what I had witnessed. I told them that I understood that Public Works was understaffed and was having trouble keeping up with all their work, but couldn’t understand why the Village was doing sign maintenance (changing light bulbs inside the sign and putting up letters on the sign) for a private business using Village equipment and personnel.
Mayor Kris Wasowicz answered by first making a derogatory remark to me, “I didn’t know that election season had started already Mr. Koslowski.” I was very surprised that he said this in this public forum. I replied “Please correct me Mr. Mayor, I thought we lived in a Democracy where citizens are allowed to ask questions of their representatives when they see something that isn’t right.” The Mayor then explained that the use of Village employees and Village equipment to do work for private citizens or private businesses is something the Village does for some people and some businesses. The word "some" is very alarming. How does a community of 12,500 residents decide what services "some" receive versus what services others receive. Shouldn't every resident and business be treated equally? The Mayor said they are going to bill the Canterbury Inn for the work on the sign. I don’t believe for a minute that the Village was going to bill for this work until I caught them and brought the matter forward in a public forum. I asked if I could get a copy of the billing invoice and the check. I was told I would need to FOIA the information. I intend to follow up with the Clerk and FOIA the information.
As a side note: The Canterbury Inn has been used many times in the recent past for political events by the political parties of the current Village officials including “Friends of Kris Wasowicz” (the Mayor), Friends of Kathy Svoboda” (the Village Clerk), Coalition Party of Justice and the Village Voice Party.
I’m not sure if what I witnessed is something that you consider “newsworthy,” but it does appear to be an attempted abuse of the public trust and public funds.
Sincerely,
John Koslowski
Citizen – Village of Justice
Monday, September 5, 2011
Village of Justice - Hiring - Code Enforcer
At the June 27, 2011 Village of Justice Board meeting Trustee Richard Sparr made a motion to approve the hiring of a Village code enforcer. Prior to the election Mayor Kris Wasowicz appointed Rich Sparr to this position at a pay of $300/month. To our knowledge this position has not yet been filled.
VILLAGE OF JUSTICE 7800 ARCHER ROAD , JUSTICE , IL
ROLL CALL:
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECOND REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OF JUNE
Minutes of Monday, June 27, 2011
7:30 PM.
Mayor Kris Wasowicz called the Meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
PLEDGE:
Mayor Wasowicz led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clerk Kathy Svoboda called the roll. Present are Mayor Kris Wasowicz, Trustees: Rich Sparr, Rick Symonds, Ed Rusch and Sue Small. Trustee Kinga Bartoszek is absent. Attorney Michael Castellino of the Del Galdo Law Group is also present.
BUILDING, PLATS AND ZONING – Trustee Rich Sparr
MOTION: Trustee Sparr Moves: To solicit applications and authorize the selection and subsequent hire of a candidate with strong building trades’ qualifications to fill the position of part-time, code enforcement/property maintenance inspector at a monthly stipend not to exceed $400.00 per month.
SECOND: Trustee Symonds
VOTE: Trustees Sparr, Symonds, Rusch and Small, aye. All ayes. Motion passed.
Village of Justice Board - Voting Record - Building Department - Administrative Assistant Hired
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECOND REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OF JUNE
Minutes of Monday, June 27, 2011
7:30 PM.
Mayor Kris Wasowicz called the Meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
PLEDGE:
Mayor Wasowicz led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clerk Kathy Svoboda called the roll. Present are Mayor Kris Wasowicz, Trustees: Rich Sparr, Rick Symonds, Ed Rusch and Sue Small. Trustee Kinga Bartoszek is absent. Attorney Michael Castellino of the Del Galdo Law Group is also present.
BUILDING, PLATS AND ZONING – Trustee Rich Sparr
MOTION: Trustee Sparr Moves: To approve the filling of an administrative position in accordance with the terms discussed in an executive session on June 22, 2011.
SECOND: Trustee Sparr
Trustee Rusch commented that there had been heated debate regarding filling this position but the consensus was that we cannot sacrifice service to the residents in the name of fiscal responsibility. Phones are going unanswered and residents are showing up to the Public Works/Building Department to obtain permits or to request other services or discuss issues and are finding no one there.
VOTE: Trustees Small, Sparr and Rusch, aye. Trustee Symonds voted nay. Motion passed.
Village of Justice Board - Voting Record - Re-Hiring of Administrative Assistant to Building Department
At the May 23, 2011 Board meeting Trustee Rich Sparr reported the following:
"Trustee Rich Sparr reported that 95 Building Permits have been issued to date this year. Municipal Services Administrator Jim Lurquin cannot keep up with the permits, inspections, grant maintenance and various other duties by himself. We need an administrative person in the Building and Public Works Departments for operations and clerical assistance."
Just to put this comment in perspective up until that date there were well over 100 working days in the year. That means that Jim Lurquin was issuing less than one permit per day.
The voting record from that meeting follows for your review.
VILLAGE
PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SECOND REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OF MAY
Minutes of Monday, May 23, 2011
7:30 PM.
Mayor Kris Wasowicz called the Meeting to order at 7:30 pm.
PLEDGE:
Mayor Wasowicz led the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clerk Kathy Svoboda called the roll. Present are Mayor Kris Wasowicz, Trustees: Rich Sparr, Rick Symonds, Ed Rusch, Kinga Bartoszek and Sue Small. Attorney Michael Castellino of the Del Galdo Law Group is also present.
BUILDING, PLATS AND ZONING – Trustee Rich Sparr
Trustee Rich Sparr reported that 95 Building Permits have been issued to date this year.
Municipal Services Administrator Jim Lurquin cannot keep up with the permits, inspections, grant maintenance and various other duties by himself. We need an administrative person in the Building and Public Works Departments for operations and clerical assistance.
MOTION: Trustee Sparr Moves: To recreate the position of Administrative Assistant in the Building and Public Works Departments and approve the rehire of Mrs. Shirley Shilka, at terms to be determined by the village board.
SECOND: Trustee Sparr
Trustee Rusch voiced his concern that terms for the rehire of Ms. Shirley Shilka should be determined before the rehire is approved by the board.
VOTE: Trustees Symonds, Rusch, Small and Sparr, aye. Trustee Bartoszek voted nay.
Trustee Bartoszek voiced her concerns that we are in fact signing a blank check for the rehire by not determining terms before approving.
Attorney Castellino suggested that the Motion be bifurcated to create one Motion to recreate the position of Administrative Assistant in the Building and Public Works Departments and then a second Motion to Table the hire of an Administrative Assistant in the Building and Public Works Department until such time as terms for the position have been determined.
MOTION: Trustee Sparr Moves: To reconsider his prior motion and to recreate the position of Administrative Assistant in the Building and Public Works Departments.
SECOND: Trustee Small
VOTE: Trustees Symonds, Rusch, Small and Sparr, aye. Trustee Bartoszek voted nay. Motion passed.
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