Phelan Reacts to Streit Attacks With ‘Package’
Trustee Tom Phelan offers seven detailed pdfs answering allegations that he used questionable contracting, accounting and management practices while using Fall On the Green to reward allies and punish enemies.
Photos
Pdfs
Oak Lawn Trustee Tom Phelan (Dist. 6) has responded to allegations of unaccounted for food vouchers, questionable beer and Mai Tai sales, and abuse of VIP tent passes related to Fall On the Green with a “full response package.”
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The package—consisting of seven pdfs—answer points raised in a recent press release issued by Trustee Bob Streit (Dist. 3) calling for a forensic audit of the annual fall festival while under Phelan’s watch as chair of the special events committee.
Once a money-losing event for village taxpayers, Phelan brought Fall On the Green into the black, turning a $50,000 profit, which to date, no one on the village board has disputed. Phelan assumed the role of village board liaison to the special events committee after he was elected in 2005.
Read the pdfs.
Phelan was ousted as special events liaison at the May 22 village board meeting and reassigned to the quality control committee that hasn’t met in six years. Mayor Dave Heilmann said that complaints about Phelan influenced some of his decisions to reassign trustees to new committees. Phelan was also relieved of his duties as village board liaison to the Oak Lawn Fire Department, a relationship described by some firefighters as “acrimonious.”
In his June 1 press release, Streit said he was “shocked by the number of issues raised and questionable practices alleged and I believe the board has a duty to act to determine the validity of these actions.”
Streit, who replaced Phelan as special events committee liaison, alleged that Phelan allowed some liquor sales to take place that deviated from the normal practice of purchasing drink tickers “without a clear record of the destiny of the proceeds.”
He also accused Phelan of hiring family members to work at the event, personally negotiating vendor contracts and of missing food vouchers that had to be “reimbursed by public funds.”
Streit said he was “troubled” that the village reimbursed vendors $5,274 and at least “1,263 food vouchers distributed by Trustee Phelan are unaccounted for at the village.” Streit added village records indicated that Phelan gave 780 beer vouchers to Trustee Alex Olejniczak during last year’s Fall On the Green.
Asked to see proof of the accusations against Phelan, Streit told several news media outlets to file freedom of information act requests with the village. A request for an audit of Fall On the Green is on Tuesday’s village board agenda.
Following the May 22 board meeting, the mayor told Southtown-Star that he had also received complaints that Olejniczak had “overstepped his bounds as trustee by twice interfering with police reports to protect friends.”
Both Phelan and Olejniczak are said to be seeking an attorney to possibly file a defamation lawsuit.
In his seven pdfs, Phelan responds to and explains the “knowingly false and slanderous statements” made against him by Streit and Heilmann.
Oak Lawn Patch includes Phelan’s “full response package” in its entirety:
- PDF 1 – 1200 unaccounted for complimentary meal passes given out by Trustee Phelan to his friends and political supporters.
- PDF 2 –Trustee Phelan used VIP sponsor tent tickets for political purposes and that VIP tent became Phelan’s “personal party.”
- PDF 3 –Trustee Olejniczak benefitted complimentary meal and drink tickets.
- PDF 4 - Special Events Liaison Trustee Tom Phelan directed use of questionable contracting practices, accounting practices and anagement practices.
- PDF 5 - Phelan directed liquor sales to deviate from the normal purchase, sale and accounting procedures.
- PDF 6 – Phelan hired relatives to sell items at fest without adhering to normal solicitation procedures.
- PDF 7 - Special Events Liaison Trustee Tom Phelan personally negotiated contracts for Fall On the Green festival and micro-managed special events.
Available Auditor
6:50 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Wow! Me thinks the Trustee in Dist 6 protests too much. On with he audit.
Seriously, after reading this pile of garbage attached to the pile of garbage story (what no reaction), it looks to me like an audit is very necessary. His seven documents contain very little information and a lot of his opinions.
fred wiese
8:09 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Independent audit is needed. The auditor will have a base to start from and a thank you to TP for providing his his response quickly. Anyone else that is protesting RS should do what TP did.
QC
11:05 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Patch Brunswick zone 6-16-11
“You can torture numbers to make them say anything you want,” Phelan said.
anthony
12:54 pm on Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Mr Duhig said it right . Studies can say anything they are steered to say .
nuff said.
In the Range of the Party
7:02 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
In one of the documents it says that 130 homes, affected by the special events, were given tickets. Names please? Because I was not given any food or booze tix. You would think that in developing a seven document "answer" to a question he could at least provide names. Saying 130 homes kind of proves the need for an audit. Oh wait, maybe we can see another seven documents coming from District 6
Amy
7:11 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
It;s a shame politics is tainting what is a beautiful festival our community enjoys.
Sandra Bury
7:59 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
This manufactured issue is a distraction from the real news: the imminent release of the attorney report on alleged overbilling that certain eected officials are working very hard to ensure that the taxpayers never see. That is news. This is manufactured buzz to distract.
OakLawnGuy
8:05 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
I have to think it's more jockeying for position. I can't see Mr. Streit helping Mr. Heilmann deflect anything. As such I view this particular battle with detached interest.
What's up doc?
9:02 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Why is this audit "manufactured"? Couldn't the same be said about the "attorney report"? If there is wrongdoing or lack of oversight in either case, let's proceed. The attorney investigation occurred and the village settled. End of story. Do you expect to see something that says the Mayor should be hanged in the public square? If you want to win the election, and I'm sure you do, you'll have to do it with ideas and not scare tactics. Why do you think this "report" from Tom's frat buddy will give you any credibility?
Sandra Bury
10:52 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
I have no complaint with settling. I am outraged that the confidentiality agreement hides the truth from the taxpayers who foot the bill. There is absolutely no justification for backroom agreements when the taxpayers are on the hook for potentially millions.
What's up doc?
10:58 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
If you don't have a problem with settling then you don't have a problem with the settlement in which the board agreed to keep the matter confidential. I guess I don't understand how the taxpayers are on the hook for millions. The Village settled the case and recovered an amount that they agreed was the proper amount. How are the taxpayers on the hook for anything else? Taxes haven't gone up to settle the case. In fact the village's taxes haven't gone up at all
Sandra Bury
12:10 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
In the eyes of a lawyer the situation may be resolved, but there was no satisfactory explanation for the taxpayers who paid the bill. The people will prevail on this and the truth will be known.
Rosco Tanner
9:48 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
As I walk through the Fall festival every year, I question the VIP area in general. It is there for what reason? To give thanks to those who donte their time, $$$$ and efforts? Politicians? To separate who from whom? Just as an observer, the individuals that I have seen in that area are friends of friends of village employees; friends of friends of local business; friends of friends of other friends. Is this wrong? Maybe or maybe not, I can live with the fact that I am not in the "inner circle" and that a special gesture should be extended to those who work hard to put on such an event. But such petty bickering tends to make me believe that someone on the board didn't get his second or third free ice cream cone. Now the finger pointing starts. The festival has been a fiscal success as of recent years, so what is the real deal going on here?
Jesse Katsopolis
11:05 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
It is my understanding that the VIP tent is paid for with Sponsor money and that no village funds are used. Of course, I guess I question that assumption now that I've read these stories.
I believe the area is supposed to be for the sponsors, their guests, speical events committee members and village officials. In the last few years, Tom Phelan has been prominently present but Mayor Heilmann has not been invited! Likewise, Trustees Hurckes, Quinlan and Streit were left off the list last year. Who made the list? Probably the guy eating the extra ice cream cones!
Ashamed of OL
1:21 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Oh, those docs are supposed to represent the financials of the fest? I'm sorry, I thought it was a joke, but didn't get the punch line. I have a hard time following Tom's creative accounting methods. But his use of colored text and caps is very impressive...must make it true. The man has Excel and knows how to use it! Just like the time he claimed he saved the Village a million dollars because the employees could contribute extra money to their pensions. I still can't figure that one out...but it was in a spreadsheet.
Very Concerned
10:18 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
As an Oak Lawn resident for over sixty years I have never seen a Village Board as tied up with their own agenda of personal attacks and power plays as the current one. I look at closed storefronts, mismanaged properties, unregistered landlords and an increasing number of transients moving into the community as major issues not being addressed. I am truly concerned about the Village's future.
Sandra Bury
10:40 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
Well said.
Dave W.
2:30 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Nicely put...these may be all legitmate issues, but the things you mentioned need to be addressed as well. Otherwise, what will be the point of a fest if nobody can afford to go or the police are having to clear out the homeless from panhandling the corner of 95th and Cook?
tony o
10:54 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
I agree Phelan cries alot, but Olejnieciak is a bufoon who should think about retirement
he is ballooning up nicely.
Special events were meant to be a opportunity to showcase Oak Lawn, Phelan made it personally fifedom, and is now challenges all accussers.
If nothing else it was good to change places on all boards it was getting stale from the outside looking in
change brings different perspectives from different people 7 years as chairman was enough.
rita
4:00 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Well said tony o.
I would also think that individuals on the board should not hold these type positions when it comes to special events for Oak Lawn – the segregation of duties rule should apply.
J. J. Zurek
11:05 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
I always thought the VIP Tents where for the vendors and the volunteers who work the event without pay and donate, like their services or their products, of or the Professional Individuals, like Ball Players or Singers, or like Ronald Mc Donald to enjoy a cold beverage or bite to eat without being pestered for an autograph or a photo opt, whatever. Everyoner else should spend their own money so the Village would make money not lose it. Oh Well I guess I am just to practable
Ashamed of OL
12:16 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Funny, I was a volunteer for the event for years. I was never invited to the VIP tent. Nor was any other volunteers. It is just a huge drinking party for the friends of Tom Phelan. These types of antics have been going on for 7 years. This is money being spent to fund his personal party. That same money could have been donated to a good cause. How much more profit could have been made if the VIP tent did not exist? Where did the surplus come from? Were village vendors forced to donate in order to retain their contracts? You need to question why this is just being brought up now. Village staff members have know about this for years. As far as the confidential report, perhaps they don't want you to see the other pending litigation that still remains unresolved. Poor Tom, after trying to ruin many people's lives for years, he got his feelings hurt. He should "just take the kick in the gut" as he likes to say.
Jesse Katsopolis
12:58 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Ashamed,
Why you ingrate! Don't you appreciate everything Tom has done? Didn't you get to work for the event? Now you don't even bother reading Tom's docs where he "clearly" explains that you were there. Come on, who are you going to believe, your hazy recollections of whether you were invited or Tom, who obviously keeps great records and would never lie.
Meg
11:32 am on Monday, June 11, 2012
"Can't we all just get along" ~ Rodney King
anthony
1:36 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
No dog in this fight .... The allegations look solid. The numbers look very small (if he cant afford or cries about reimbursement .....) The purpose is political warfare... Who is right is who does the most for backers(why Olejnieciak aint going nowhere)...
My point the accusee can silence the accuser by paying from his own pocket. Than going forward on any investigation becomes a vendetta ..Kick in the gut yes. Did he get caught yes Witchunt maybe..
Whats best fo OL Highest and best use of time should trump i told yas or i am gonna get yas
This all goes away if OL raises tax revenues from bigger businesses(dealerships, advocate ...) not thru the citizens. So far the most new businesses are restaurants that fail 50% or cash for gold ( i opened my mouth in 2009 and the business i refused as a breeding ground for criminality has become a fastest grower)
Oak Lawn Homegirl
1:26 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Concerned, the village will continue despite itself. It's a shame we have to watch and put up with these kindergarten antics. What ever happened to business as usual and enough with the theatrics?
Grunty
2:15 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Do none of these emails contain a disclaimer that says that they are pursuant to they are only intended for the recipient and therefor make distribution of the emails in this way a voilation of the DMCA or privacy laws?
Grunty
2:32 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Do none of these emails contain a disclaimer that says that they are only intended for the recipient and therefor make distribution of the emails in this way a voilation of the DMCA or privacy laws?
Ashamed of OL
6:17 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Government has no expectation of privacy. The Village of Oak Lawn's emails are not private and are subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Dave Heilmann even wrote a paper about it. You can find it on Claussen & Miller's website.
vote
3:31 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
This whole board is a joke. The only real losers are the Oak Lawn residents who have to put up with these clowns bickering like school children. We have an absentee Mayor who is never at Village hall. Trustees who are out for themselves. The employee unions and their unfunded pension liabilities are causing the village to go broke. Besides all this everything else is peachy
bs rolls
3:39 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
qc?? how often are all the trustees at village hall
sammy dontcha
4:05 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
dont trust streit
m
4:05 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Why are the antics of the Oak Lawn village board a surprise to anyone? We live in Cook County in Illinois where crooks rule and back room dealings are the norm. Our village will end up just like the state of Illinois, deep in the red and no way to get out. The forensic audit must be done and Phelan must be held accountable.
DebSpeaks
6:21 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
The problems with our Village Board sicken and embarrass me. I am ready for a whole new Board.
Ashamed of OL
7:35 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
In actually reading through the documents submitted by Tom Phelan, it appears to be more incriminating than a defense. Who wrote the third document listed? If it was by Phelan, why is he speaking in the third person? If it was not Phelan, why is the author not listed? He is disseminating emails where the Director of Finance is afraid of an audit. He refers to covering his own a$$. He is talking about keeping different books and how the numbers have to match. He speaks of playing good cop/bad cop to get donations. What the heck? The statement that the fest is about the adults and not about the children is contradictory to the alleged family values that Oak Lawn advertises about. In my opinion, this anti-children statement supports that Tom Phelan in fact was only interested in throwing a big bash for his personal reasons. Perhaps the fest should be renamed Fall Down on the Green Drunk. He seemed very eager to dump our own high school band in lieu of Buddy Guy’s keyboard player because he thought it would be “cool”. He always talks about being a member of St. Catherine’s Men’s Club. Shame on you Tommy, Jesus loves the little children and so do the residents of the Village of Oak Lawn.
Bob
9:25 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
As a 5th generation of my family being in Oak Lawn, I have never seen so much drama in Oak Lawn politics.
Bob
9:28 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
Phelan, it is time to quit!
anthony
10:03 pm on Monday, June 11, 2012
The word forensic was rather clever As it is applied...." to inquire a wide variety of questions before a forum,something related to court or litigation "
susie
8:05 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Geez! Many of you seem to have a personal vendetta against someone who has turned Fall on the Green into a profitable event and managed to generate very generous donations for Park Lawn. I don't see any need for an audit--why waste taxpayer money on it. I worked in fundraising for non-for-profits for several years and "VIP" perks are a standard for donors and volunteers. I see no reason this is a problem. Hopefully FOG will be as successful as in years past with the removal of Phelan from the committee. The fact that this is an issue and that it's being brought to the OL Patch is a testament to the backstabbing and lack of actual work is being done at the Village Hall!
A boy named sue
12:16 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
so you you don't care who received the perks? Let's just assume that donors and volunteers didn't receive the perks, do you care? Maybe you have a personal vendetta. Let the sun shine upon the records and disinfect any mistakes
Homegrown in OL
12:35 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Susie, wake up and smell the corruption. Do you really think it is ok to have an elected official use money that could have been donated to a worthy cause to fund his own personal party. Look at the list of VIP attendees; did you notice that most of the other trustees and the mayor were not even on the list? I know Tom Phelan. I have seen him hurt people and abuse his authority for years. He will get caught with his hand in the cookie jar and he deserves it. If it is not with this incident, there will be another. A leopard does not change their spots. I do have a vendetta against corrupt politicians. The entire Village should take a much closer look at the stunts Phelan pulls. What Tom Phelan did was no better than stealing. Does it make it ok that he left some for Park Lawn? No, stealing is stealing.
Homegrown in OL
12:37 am on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
On another note, wasn’t he against patronage jobs? Oh, I guess getting your niece a job at the Village doesn’t count. Hiring your friends that live outside of Oak Lawn and giving them a vehicle without a logo to drive home at the tax payer’s expense isn’t right either. Regarding lack of work at the Village Hall, this board has filled the Village Hall with their friends and family members. Apparently everyone has forgotten how Tom Phelan balked at Joe Faber’s salary, only to hire Larry at a much higher rate. Are we still paying his mortgage payment? That would be the same Larry that was suspended from his Florida job because of racial slurs. What about our Fire Chief that isn’t even a fireman? Do we still pay for his living expenses? Look at how many employees made over $100,000.00 this past year. Yeah, Tom is a real financial wizard, especially when he reaps the rewards like getting his insurance paid by our tax dollars.
Jesse the Brain
9:10 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Mr. Tanner is right on target about the VIP tent. What do we need it for. It separates the hierarchical people from the average taxpayer. How arrogant!!!
OakLawnGuy
9:51 am on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
In years past, people walked past the tent wondering what it was, who was in there, and why. This year, there are going to be a lot of sideways glances at the VIP enclave.
Sophomore tom
12:19 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Who wrote the headline?
Phelan reacts to Streit attacks with package?
That's priceless
Missing Andy
1:30 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Andy has left the building.
Missing Andy
1:30 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Will Andy be at next board meeting?
andy skoundrianos
3:20 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
With Popcorn Better than a soap opera!!
Missing Andy
5:04 pm on Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Andy, what's your take on all this?
fireemall
12:09 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Fire all the employees involved then if you find anything wrong in the audit. CHAD WEILER first to get his butt canned, cyah
Available auditor
5:34 pm on Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Why would you fire all the employees? I know you can't fire a trustee but weren't the employees only following orders?
Dave W.
6:59 pm on Thursday, June 14, 2012
The amazing thing is that the VIP tent WASN'T open to ALL the trustees and the mayor, regardless of who was 'running' the event...such absolute lunacy! I don't know if we should hope the other towns around us are better so there is some hope for humanity, or as bad or worse so we don't look so dysfunctional. Argh...we need to clean up this whole mess...ALL of it. People on boths sides want to just clean up the thing THEY don't like. Stop picking sides, the town's good is the only side you should care about. As soon as you whine about people taking issue with something, you instantly lose credibility. Don't complain about audits, or who may have voted for whom or who is doing the complaining. Worry about the fact that this garbage happens. Root FOR the town. I don't know Tom Phelan personally. My few brief dealings with him left me with a certain impression, for sure. BUT, I don't WANT him to be found guilty of anything, because it is terrible for the town. Unless, of course, he actually IS guilty. THEN he has to go. The same goes for ANY elected official. Why is this such a point of contention? Why would ANY well-intentioned citizen or public servant WANT secrecy? Why would anybody ATTACK somebody else for WANTING transparency? What does that say about that person? What does it say about our town? More concern over protecting corruption than weeding it out? How bad are THOSE priorities? Yeesh.
Sunlight remains the best disinfectant.
danr
12:35 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Dave W since you seem to have all the answers and know it all why don't you run for Mayor?
Dave W.
7:09 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
It isn't that I know it all, danr, it is that I, along with many others, want and expect more from our elected representatives. If you are not new to these boards, you know that I'm not alone in these thoughts, nor are these points^ made without validity. You are one of the people that has a 'side' with a specific agenda. If you are new, then keeping reading around, you will see people have a LOT more to say about this and many related topics.
Maybe I would make a good mayor (quite possibly not too, who knows?), but who would want this job with the total dysfunction of the board and public assailment of every thought or action?
One thing I will credit all of these people for is that they ARE the target of so much maliciousness and scorn, earned or not...they do have families, children...it is one thing, to me, to take them to task for not doing their jobs, but another for some of the very personal attacks just on these boards alone.
Besides, danr, I've already lost your vote, so really, there is no hope.
Whaa Dave???
5:57 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
I agree with dave w that there should be no secrecy. But has there been? What's the big secret or is this just a 1-person paranoid conspiracy theorist liking hearing himself shout online?
QC
11:29 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
is this just a 1-person paranoid conspiracy theorist liking hearing himself shout online?
Yes. And that would be YOU TOM
Dave W.
7:23 pm on Monday, June 18, 2012
Since you created your profile ONLY for this post, I doubt you will listen, but here goes...
First of all, as they say, you aren't paranoid if they are really after you...which clearly YOU fear with your fake name.
Second, this is not the first nor will it be the last post about the board's ongoing practices of closed door meetings about things that we the taxpayers should know more about. People say things about the 'Open meetings Act' or laws...I'm not even speaking exactly to those, as much as to the general idea or concept that there really should be very little to no information in a meeting that is out of the public's earshot. There have been many things over the years that a number of people can attest to have been shady or even criminal, but were done 'behind closed doors', dating back to previous administrations.
Heck, even danr agrees with this...:
danr
7:03 am on Monday, June 18, 2012
so much for transparency when the mayor silences his foes: http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/13197726-522/oak-lawn-trustees-left-wanting-to-speak-up.html
He doesn't even like me! So you can see I'm not paranoid, just concerned, like so many other Oak Lawn citizens. I will gladly go away when the mess of politics we have in Oak Lawn shapes up or ships out.
WishOne
1:55 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Dave W people use fake names and it doesn't mean they are fearful. Maybe people reply to your rants because its annoying that you think its brave to post under your real name. it's stupidity. obviously you don't care about your local client base like i do. obviously you never had a loved one bullied or cyberstalked. You probably don't have any loved ones with your superior attitude what makes you think you're better than everyone and can judge people on here? get a life.
Dave W.
2:48 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
WishOne, I don't have a real problem with people being anonymous in general...I have problems with cowards like YOU, for instance, who ONLY create a fake profile to target specific people (In this case me, but not always). THAT is called bullying, which is ironic, since you mention that problem specifically.
I have NO superior attitude...in fact, it is quite the opposite. I view myself as quite average...which is why I always feel that if *I* can understand something, or if *I* can figure out the way things are, I don't understand why other people cannot.
Attacking me, or others for having an opinion (especially one backed up by logic or facts) does NOTHING to solve the problems of this town. In the end, 98% of what is posted by ANYBODY on this board is under the radar or of no concern to the people being posted about. Personal attacks on each other is more than pointless, though, it is uncivil, which is exacerbated by the anonymity. I don't see how it moves the agenda of improving the town forward. Disagreeing with people is great, it provides friction of thoughts and motivates people to action (sometimes).
To say or imply that I'm the only one to 'judge' people on here is absolutely laughable on its face, WIshOne. That is what these boards are rife with, in case you have only just started reading them. Meet me in person, and say what you want to MY face. Nobody's 'client base' need be harmed. (Mine is doing great this year.) Otherwise, YOU are the bully AND the coward.
QC
10:29 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
WO aka JO
I'm SURE you'll get more than just ONE, ....but it wont be a "wish"! LOL
anthony
2:37 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
nope Dave said it eloquently and correctly on many posts.. Fearful wrong word Better word biased or "have something to hide"... Besides if one is posting for public record one must use the real name...
The laugh for me was on another post...A bigwig posts his real name Not thinking people will realize he you work there Of course you will say that.
Has a talented life... why get a new one ? I thought i was the only one that could switch lives like clothes...
Dave W.
3:15 pm on Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Watch out, anthony...you used your 'real name'...they will be after you next...these opinion boards are not for opinions or thoughts...you are ONLY supposed to agree with those thoughts or opinions that belong to the cognoscenti that think they know best how to run things, even if hardly anything substantive ever gets accomplished. Outside thoughts will NOT be tolerated. You will be pounced on by bullies. Know how we can tell they are bullies? Because anybody can write to another specific poster in a private message, but they choose to do it in public to try and intimidate those that they disagree with with childish, personal attacks.
You've been warned...they do it with lots of people...notice how quiet a few of the regulars have gotten on here lately? Wonder why...
vote
12:07 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hey QC= Da Mayor Why were you not at the award dinner for Police Chief Villanova?? Oh yeah too busy as usual wonder if you were at Oakview for your fabulous Theater productions?? Man you call yourself Mayor??
WishOne
6:29 am on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Dave W you are ignorant of the law. You say "People say things about the 'Open meetings Act' or laws...I'm not even speaking exactly to those" well Einstein that "law" is what dictates all actions of any governing board in this state. You can't name 1 specific time any local official broke this law but only speak in vague generalities because you are ignorant and apparently in "Dave's world" where real life laws don't apply.
QC
10:35 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Janie
It's time to rope in your "Boys". Take away their computers, come on----be responsible for a change!
QC
11:26 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
WO
"People say things about the 'Open meetings Act' or laws...I'm not even speaking exactly to those" well Einstein that "law" is what dictates all actions of any governing board in this state. You can't name 1 specific time any local official broke this law"
WELL "Einstein", I can....
The Secret Meetings held at Stony Creek!!! Although the ATTORNEY GENERAL, ONE LISA MADIGAN, ruled against it being a violation, or that local officials BROKE THE LAW. We ALL know that it did indeed happen and they were given a "Pass" from Madigan.
Barbara
11:16 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Einstein QC,
The attorney general "gave them a pass"? Pass the pipe! The attorney general ruled that there wasn't a violation because it isn't a violation. Elected officials can get together and not schedule a meeting. It is only a violation when village business is discussed and they determine how they will vote. The meeting at Stony creek had nothing to do with village business. It was a gathering of trustees, citizens and the clerk to fight a fraudulent petition scheme which they did....So, Einstein you still owe us one example
QC
1:38 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Barbara LOL
I stand by my statement.
Dave W.
2:57 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Aw, you're back, WishOne, that's nice. How is your odd, personal vendetta against me going today? Still trying to bully me into not posting for whatever odd self-aggrandizing reasons you may have?
To be MORE specific, I did NOT name a specific time because of two simple facts. ONE is that I wasn't speaking to what a law may state, but to the greater concept, or spirit of what PUBLIC meetings should be...you know, PUBLIC. I'm not saying there are NO reasons for private session. I'm saying they should be rare, and clearly defined for the voters of Oak Lawn (or any constituency, but I'm keeping it local). Not sure why that SO offends you. It is just bizarre. Again, you seem to root FOR secrecy when you scream so loud against my just asking for less.
As for two: I cannot name one even if I wanted; why? Is it because it never happened? Perhaps, yes, of course. Logic dictates that. HOWEVER, it could also be a 'known unknown'. Meaning that it is POSSIBLE, but if it is KEPT secret from the public, how would the public EVER know? If Deepthroat hadn't come forth, would the public have ever known about Watergate? Um, no.
You CLEARLY don't know me. I'm THE law-abiding guy. I'm NOT saying people should violate confidentiality agreements or anything like that. I'm saying I wish there were none. Is it just a dream? Perhaps; so what? Is it somehow evil to wish for transparency of my elected officials? Only guilty people hide things, WishOne, especially repeatedly. What are YOU hiding?
fakerealtor
3:16 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Why does Dave always have to have the last word? And yell so much in those caps? stop it already will ya?
Dave W.
4:13 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
NO.
(CAPS aren't only for yelling, they are used to show inflection when writing without being able to use italics or bold. New to the interweb, are you? Now we might know who spawned WishOne...nice. You 'two' should get together and knit and talk about your obsession with all things me.)
Andy might have gotten run off, but you won't cyberbully me off. If I get busy, I'm gone; if not I'm here if I see something interesting...I'm guessing like everybody else. If you do not like what I have say,(or anybody else's opinion, for that matter) feel VERY free to never read comments again. These are public boards, and I follow the terms of use.
You and WishOne are so oddly petty about this...it does make one wonder where you find such angst for somebody NOT posting anything personal against YOU. What is the deal with THAT? SO weird. (Still NOT yelling...inflecting.)
As for your attempts (along with your partner in slime, WIshOne) to (cyber)bully me...
Stop it, already, will ya?
Word.
andy skoundrianos
9:42 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Hey Dave nobody bullied me Man If I don't want to blog I won't .I'm sitting back waiting for the S#*% to hit the fan...
Dave W.
12:58 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Andy, I'm glad to see that, actually. Even though we don't often agree, I don't like how some people are trying to silence others with ridicule or intimidation. ESPECIALLY when they start off DECRYING bullying! Have they never HEARD of the word 'hypocrisy'? Personal attacks do nothing to help this town. Even disagreement talked about honestly but with civility is constructive. What these people do is whine and attack but offer nothing substantive. I do not know if these poeple are trustees, their friends or relatives, or just random citizens...ultimately, it doesn't much matter. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but childish attacks behind fake names? Fakes names to protect against retribution for honest, fair thoughts, I get, because CLEARLY there are some petty people floating around on these boards, with thin skins and emotion, not not logic fueling there writing. Creating a fake profile JUST to attack people (not just me, or YOU, Andy, but anyone that they don't like) is just so cowardly...it seems like somehow THAT should be in the Patch rules, because obviously rules of social decorum alone are not enough for such milksops.
Glad you are still around Andy.
Without opposition does rise tyranny.
QC
1:40 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Right li'l andy.
Now you're again blogging under fake names!!!!!!! Man lol
anthony
11:28 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Quality controls little mocking outbursts show the party in charge worries Mr Skoundrianos has a shot at winning......
snagear
5:56 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Dave you always have to have that final word dontyou? YOu want to give off the impression that you genuinely care for this community but if you did you might volunteer your time and talents instead of attacking people on here. Call me a coward but i haven't lost my client base & I'm still in business.
Dave W.
12:20 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
Wow, snagear, another created profile, ONLY to complain about me? Of course, you want to call me out (over what?) and then you will (probably with ANOTHER fake profile) complain about me posting THIS, right? You are the weirdest stalker EVER.
Not that I need report to you, but I DO volunteer in the community. Here's the thing: I don't feel compelled to advertise it, because that isn't what it about, at least not for me. Have for years, mulitple places, mulitple ways.
Who do I attack that has your knickers up in such a bunch, anyway? You keep saying that, but I don't say anything that lots of other people don't say. What did I say about WHO in particular that has YOU so all atwitter?
Okay, you are a COWARD. Congratulations to you and your client base, who are served by a bizarre, cowardly stalker with no logical reason for your actions. Yay for you, you raging weirdo.
Maybe you have me confused with somebody else. I'm not ONLY STILL in business, I literally just had my best month in years, my client base (about which you seem so concerned) is GROWING exponentially this year, and I'm so busy, I'm replying to you at 12:15am because I just got done with the last of my work.
Glad you are still in business, times are tough, and I wish nobody hard times, even people with serious issues such as yourself.
My IMPRESSION is that you are personally hurt by something, and you won't just write to me, you want to vilify me. Who FAKES caring about the town they live in? For what?
QC
1:41 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
OK You're a COWARD
anthony
11:31 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Snagear makes a good point ...Must be about who ya know.....Or who ya make money for....
snagear
7:30 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
Dave W There has to be multiple readres on hjere annoyed by your painfully long commentary and excessive inappropriate uuse of inflection. don't flatter yourself that replies to your posts are stalkerish. with that rationale you'd be a stalker yourself. You have publicly buikt yourself up as a local real estate expert using your real name and even cite where you live & who you vote for, cmon! What concerns me about you is how you are publicly willing to attack people including women. Since you are a man that makes you a coward. Do you often ridicule men and women to their face or just on comment boards under the guise of caring for your community? your fake concern for this community is clear if you look back at your comments you have ridiculed and personally attacked not only men but women on here. Dont expect not to be called out on it by many.
QC
1:26 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
snagear
Jane you are so full of it!! You didn't mind being on the side of the slimy weasels ripping Mrs Sodaro, Lynn, and the female attorney for Sodaro with obscene remarks and dragging them through the mud last election. What a joke you are janie.
QC
1:35 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Funny thing is the "FORMER UNITY PARTY" accused others of "attack -ing" (the exact words) every time someone disagreed, or even just had an opinion OR JUST BECAUSE THEY WANTED TO BULLY! Same old, same old.
Homegrown in OL
4:09 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Geeze, don’t you think we are all getting off track here? Everyone is entitled to freedom of speech regardless if we agree or disagree. I rather enjoy what Dave W. has to say and I have no idea who he really is regardless if he is using his real name or not. You guys are acting like the Board of Trustees. For all I know, maybe you are the Board of Trustees. I respect that even if that were true, you are also entitled to your opinion and have the freedom to say what you like. Perhaps the problem with our Board and the people commenting here is a lack of respect for both each other and our laws. Didn’t your mother teach you that it is not nice to call people names?
Homegrown in OL
4:12 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
Oh sorry, I almost forgot...DIDN'T YOUR MOTHER TEACH YOU THAT IT IS NOT NICE TO CALL PEOPLE NAMES?
Dave W.
3:43 am on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Homegrown in OL...because I truly do not think of capitalization as 'yelling' I didn't realize why you wrote THIS for 'emphasis'...it took me a moment, and then I laughed. Glad you enjoy what I write, even if you have no idea who I am (which some might argue makes you not the only one...). For the record, I am NOT (for emphasis) on the village board. (Heck, write me if you want my number or email, and I will TALK to you like a civilized human being too. As I have invited 'OTHERS'...others...well OTHER others, have also written to me, in support, which is quite nice, gratifying, even, though most are a little hesitant to do so, BECAUSE they fear reprisals from the "OTHERS'. I find it all very odd and kind of sad that this goes on in a supposedly civil society.) I do not have ANY clue if they other poster is a board member or not. I'm not an insider of any type with that respect, so I just don't know. I only know they have taken up a weird fascination with me, which, if you were to know me, is actuall pretty hilarious. I could NOT be more mundane in most other respects. I do not see myself as special, but apparently it seems that some that do have taken umbrage with me, and now I hae an opinion that seems to matter more to them than even to me. This is a discusion board on PATCH! How much insular can a discussion become than a message board on a local news blog?! (No offense, Lorraine! [...or any other women!]) I don't pretend this changes the world, why do they?
Dave W.
3:04 am on Sunday, June 24, 2012
snagear, as you and 'others' hide behind fake profiles, we/I have NO idea who you are, therefore we have logically no clue if you are different people or the same person posting as multiples to 'enhance' your side of things, especially sinceit is such a bizarre and weak point you (fail to) make.
Unless you come clean about who you are I will work on the presumption that you are one actual entity with one very oddly specific agenda...anti-me. If 'you' aren't a stalker, explain your obsession? I don't swear, I attempt to be literate, I never put myself out as better than others in any way that speaks to things of which I don't have any knowledge...what is your major malfunction? I speak either as somebody with a working knowledge of specific topics (such AS real estate) or just as what I think most normal people would agree is common sense or logic. I always disclaim wehn I talk about something that I'm not sure about with that caveat. YOU might know my name, I'm sure plenty don't...not a big deal either way, but I'm just me, all the time. not 'other' me's, posting uder fake names (I don't think I could hide my writing style, for better or worse). Patch limits the commentaries; don't READ them if it is too much for you. Do you write to other blogs and complain that people have TOO long of comments there too? The newspapers? Do you write them and ask they limit how long a response is because it is 'too long' for you to read all at once? Why not just SKIP mine? DUH!
Dave W.
3:19 am on Sunday, June 24, 2012
snagear, I KNOW this is going to make you apoplectic, but try and hang in there...get a water, do some deep breathing...sit, relax, chant or something. NOW:
I attack WOMEN? Like, specifically picking out women as a gender because...they're women? WHEN...EVER? I said "Women really are bad because..."? Oh wait, I NEVER said anything like that, EVER. You only continue to prove you have NO clue who I am. I am SO VERY PRO-women it is hilarious for you to even mention this. ANYBODY who knows me knows this. You are delusional to the 'enth' degree! I work in an industry saturated with them! I have regularly posted in other forums that I do not understand why women don't rule the world! You are just clueless! Stop yourself already.
The ONLY women in SPECIFIC I may have called attention to would be those in the PUBLIC forum. Are they to be exempt from critique because they are women, even though they have chosen a public standing in the community? In fact, I can only recall (which, I admit may not be perfect) only two women I've EVER referenced at ALL in Patch, the lady trustee in town, whom I only mentioned wanted to have meeting end early after not even being elected to her post and had NOTHING to do with her being a woman, and Dr. Sandra Bury, with whom I have been both in agreement and disagreement over issues, but have NEVER levied personal remarks at, ever. "Since I am a man"? Says the FAKE profiler? Come back when you have ANY credibilty.
In person, to anybody, anytime.