Roofing bid no "political set-up"
In his December 21st letter to the editor of the SouthtownStar (http://southtownstar.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/17165549-474/letters-roofing-contract-a-political-setup.html) Oak Lawn Mayor Dave Heilmann wrote about a roofing contract that he and his allies on the Village board approved at the November 27th Board meeting. In this letter he accuses his adversaries of a “political setup.”
Heilmann cast the deciding “Yes” vote to award a $166,000 contract to a company affiliated with Trustee Bob Streit, despite that fact that there were 3 lower and legitimate bids that could have saved the taxpayers nearly $20,000. In the days following the vote allegations of bid-rigging and bid-tampering surfaced, and the FBI has initiated an investigation.
Incredibly, Mayor Dave Heilmann would have you believe that he knew nothing about the matter. And that he didn't know the company who won the contract employed Trustee Streit’s brother. Or that Streit’s brother is said to have been the person who created the bid specs for the job. Or that Trustee Streit himself was involved in the review of the bids and the awarding of the contract.
Instead, Mayor Heilmann wants you to believe that Trustee Streit, a former 20-year political enemy who curiously and just recently became the mayor’s strongest and most vocal ally on the board, did absolutely nothing wrong, according to an “investigation” the mayor said he conducted into the matter.
Mayor Heilmann wants you to believe the Village Manager and the Village Attorney are at fault despite them saying very clearly at the Board meeting that they were misled and given false information. The Mayor also wants you to believe the three Trustees who voted “No” to the contract are at fault, accusing them of some kind of "political set-up," and saying that while they had no obligation to explain their “No” votes, it would have been “nice” if they did.
I attended the November 27th meeting where the Mayor and his allies approved the contract. And contrary to the mayor’s many denials, the fact is immediately after he cast the deciding “Yes” vote he turned and whispered to the Village Manager, and then turned to the Village Attorney and said “Don't we need a super-majority on this?”
Does this sound like a question from someone who “knew nothing about the matter” as Mayor Heilmann now contends? He stated in his letter, “It would have been nice to know before we voted.”
Mayor Heilmann, wouldn't it also have been “nice” if Bob Streit disclosed his involvement in the bidding process? Or that Streit’s brother worked at the company that received the contract and created the bid specs for the job? Or that this company donated thousands of dollars to Streit’s campaign? Or that Streit sold the assets of his now shuttered roofing business to this same company?
Of course if Streit did all that it would pose a lot of problems for Heilmann’s "political set-up" conspiracy theory. But it would have been nice.
It’s time to end all of the back-room meetings and secret deals in Oak Lawn and DEMAND honesty and transparency from our Village Board. In 2013 the voters can make it happen.
Oak Lawn Patch invites all readers, especially candidates for local offices, to blog on Patch or submit letters to the editor or editorials. For more information, email the editor at lorraine.swanson@patch.com.
Quiet Neighbor
9:05 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Happy New Years Dr. Bury, just when I thought we could get a reprieve for the holiday. Those poor dead horses would consider it "nice" if people stopping beating them, but doesn't look like it's going to happen and probably not even after April.
Lorraine already posted a detailed article (nearly a month ago hence the dead horse reference) on this that reports it the other way around. I guess you are saying that Lorraine misreported it?
quote (12/3/2012):
After the mayor cast the tiebreaking "yes" vote on the consent agenda, village manager Larry Deetjen leaned over and whispered in his ear.
Mayor Dave Heilmann asked the village attorney if the vote for the roofing contract required a “supermajority.”
end quote.
So it seems that the Mayor stated that after the manager whispered to him which doesn't match your story. Someone is wrong...who is it?
Yes it seems that this whole story will be decided by what happened when two men whispered in each other's ears. who whispered first, and on and on. Yes it is important that 3 trustee's said nothing, especially when one of them can't ever say nothing about anything. That is too obvious and strange not to be significant. Your own call for transparency was ignored by those you support because they said nothing. Nobody called anyone out until after. The whole thing WAS a setup even if somewhere in the entire process something comes up as "wrong". Someone biting their tongue thinking there was a "crime" is ok?
Blowing Smoke
11:38 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Heilmann - you should really post under your own name.
andy skoundrianos
7:08 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Dave runs this village like a dictator, if you don't think he knew about this roofing company your crazy. Fact.. Trustee Streit never informed anyone that his brother worked for the company that won the bid. Fact He should have recused himself but he didn't because he knew the vote wouldn't pass. If 3 trustees knew about the bid process why didn't the others?? I was the meeting and Dave practically fell off his chair when the final vote came to him. The FBI sure has some questions about the whole process.Was Trustee Streit and Mayor Heilmann transparent when the didn't allow the alley to be built in dist. 2 because of political reasons?? NO Was Trustee Streit and Mayor Heilmann transparent spent $20,000 dollars on failed investigation against the 6th dist. trustee and fall on the green?? NO Was Trustee Streit and Mayor Heilmann transparent when the had a secret meeting with advocate hospital and the beatty lumber property of which Streit's business partner was present?? NO You can't have it both ways What is good for the goose is good for the gander Hypocrisy abounds at Village board meetings these days..
Joe Wilson
10:42 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Hey Andy Was Phelan, Deetjen, Streit & co. transparent when they went to a private meeting in Springfield and followed "recommendations" that they hire the Q&H law firm,??
Was Phelan,"transparent" regarding the hiring of his Lawyer friends to investigate the prior law firm and Da Mayor costing taxpayers $500,000.00 for what amounted to a Political Witch Hunt, that really showed nothing? That was the Cover Up for the hiring of Q&H! Wait Phelan said there was "no quid pro quo"...he wouldn't lie would he?
Murph
10:47 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
"I use my own name and picture. No reason not to." says Andy
Roofing bid no "political set-up
Gilbert O'Sullivan
9:44 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
You can't have it both ways Q neighbor, Fact The Mayor cast the deciding vote Fact Trustee Streit never informed anyone that his brother was an employee of the company that won the bid. Fact Mr. Streit could have recused himself and none of this would have looked "shady" but he didn't because he can add. 3-2 against wouldn't have worked Most votes are 4-3 now. I was at the meeting and Dave practically fell off his chair when the final vote came to him. If three trustees knew about the bid process why didn't the others know?? The FBI sure thought something was worth a look. When the Mayor and Bob refused to put that alley in Dist. 2 Did they tell the 2nd dist. trustee about it before hand...NO Did Trustee Streit and the Mayor tell the 6th dist. Trustee they were going to do a bogus investigation on fall on the green?? NO What is good for the goose is good for the gander in Oak Lawn politics. Hypocrisy abounds at the board table these days.
HAPPY NEW YEAR T- ANDY!!!!!
William J Murphy
12:24 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
And I quote:
"Dave runs this village like a dictator, if you don't think he knew about this roofing company your crazy. Fact.. Trustee Streit never informed anyone that his brother worked for the company that won the bid." The first and second sentences of Your/Toms/Sandys post...
So which is it??
I hope the FBI spots TPs fingerprints all over this incident. It would be a perfect bite in the rear, that he desperately deserves!! lmao
Bob
9:54 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Bury has nothing to say what she would do but rip what others do. If she gets in i wonder how she is going to like to see everyone ripping every move she makes. I hope she doesn,t get that chance.
O.L. Taxpayer
11:33 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
So let me get this straight BOB, You don't care what the Mayor or Trustee did to get this bid awarded to his brothers firm, just how Bury would feel if she were attacked? I don't care what side you are for, refute the facts...
1. He is a roofer himself and knows that he could not spec out the bid proposal because it would be wrong.
2. He gets his brothers firm ( his brother to be exact) to do the estimate for the bid process.
3. His brothers firm mysteriously gets awarded the bid no matter what they bid.
4. The other guys are to blame for setting this all up?
Get real. Maybe the mayor and your beloved Bob Streit should do the honorable thing and step down. To save Oak Lawn.
Quiet Neighbor
11:31 pm on Monday, December 31, 2012
Andy it is ironic that you and Gilbert O'Sullivan have almost exactly the same things to say word for word.
I'm glad that you got your standard rant in though. Unfortunately my comments were regarding the authoring of an article that contradicted what was reported. I think that is a rightful question. My comments were to question the reason and style, and to point out my perspective that this is merely a smear article. Dr. Bury didn't mention alleys, or Beatty, or FotG, so try to stay focused. Tell me Andy why are there two versions? Why wouldn't a board member or 3 of them not ask Mr. Streit to abstain or question his brother's involvement? At the very least it is the opposite of transparency. That is the definition of a "set-up". Someone put the vote on the agenda, my guess is that is up to the manager. The board was told staff approved. The attorney ok'd it. Much like any other vote it appeared it was semantics. The "surprise" would be the Mayor having to make a tie breaker on a routine vote. The surprise would be from the Mayor being told after he voted that there are "issues" by who? the manager. Should any "issues" have been handled before it ever came to the meeting? Absolutely. Nobody is talking about that. Why is that not the story? That is the story. Easier to smear the guy who's job you want any way you can. Smear articles should be above anyone running for office on a platform of cleaner government. So yes hypocrisy is rampant.
andy skoundrianos
11:01 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Sorry guys not all posts critical of the Mayor are me I use my own name and picture. No reason not to. I think everyone knows what i feel about the Mayor's policies and actions. I'm not Ol tax payer by the way either but i agree with that persons comments.
Joe Wilson
10:09 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Andy we all know that Tom P also uses your name and picture.
ChgoSuks
2:11 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Dr Bury just keeps showing us how she will "run" the village. She is the best campaign worker for any opponent running against her. Keep typing Sandy your doing a fine job showing us your transparency.
OakLawnGuy
9:06 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
As long as Mr Deetjen and some other Board members are on the job, there will never be transparency. History does not lie. So, Dr Bury, what's your plan?
OakLawnGuy
9:10 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Not sure that at least a couple Trustee candidates who support Dr Bury are on the up and up. http://19thwardpolitics.blogspot.com/2012/12/oak-lawn-politics-trustees-tom-duhig.html
andy skoundrianos
1:51 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
OLG Like you thought these trustees were going to back Dave and the candidates he is running against them??
Denise
10:33 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I am so sick of contentious politics. Stop with the name calling and smears. I just want unbiased facts not innuendos.
neighborhood guy
11:19 am on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Fact: It is hard to have unbiased facts when the patch allows the Mayoral candidate to write a "blog".
I'll give it a try though and set out the facts as seen on cable tv.
Fact: Quiet Neighbor is right. The Manager does put the issues on the agenda and recommends action on the items.
Fact: The manager gets his information from the public works department which consulted with the Village attorney and was told that they could eliminate two bidders who did not comply.
Fact: Streit and Heilmann had nothing to do with any of those conversations.
Fact: The three opposing trustees voted no without an explanation. Deetjen then whispered to the Mayor saying that he thought they needed a supermajority in the affirmative.
Fact: The Mayor asked the attorney who said that the two bidders were eliminated for material deviations from the specs. That was his opinion.
Fact: the attorney may have been right or wrong but he later changed his mind and at a subsequent meeting recommended rescinding the contract
Fact: Contract was rescinded
Fact: Dr. Bury wouldn't know if the three trustees were not voting in order to create an issue, would she?
andy skoundrianos
7:08 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Boy neighborhood guy you sound like the speech Bob gave at the last B.O.T. meeting and that press release Dave sent out a few days later reading from the same talking points?? Three trustees vote no without explanation?? What about all the secret meetings and deals the Mayor has done throughout the years did he ask for permission or explain his actions or votes?? Hypocrisy
OakLawnGuy
3:55 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Secret meetings involving trustees at the bar, with and without Mr Streit. More hypocris. Cmon man, I won't claim that I feel that Mr Heilmann was in the dark, but it's a two-edged sword on this Board, always has been.
Jeeter Gerasi
6:21 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Boy Andy you sure sound like that Gilbert A Sullivan speech. You both had the exact same "talking points" and phrases. I find it VERY STRANGE that those 3 trustees, that voted No and are rabid attackers of Dave, stayed quiet. Don't You think its strange, Andy?
I have a feeling that they MOST LIKELY have had more than a few "secret meetings" with the Manager, Residents Builders and "others" if you get the drift.
Have they EVER asked for permission or explained their votes???
You/Tom are the biggest hypocrit of all!!
RightSaidFred
5:22 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I have a hangover,from the politics of the last year and this talk is making it worse. Why does it appear that QN and NG are the same poster? Let's face it OL...time for a change.
Quiet Neighbor
6:38 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
I can guarantee that we aren't. The truth is going to sound similar no matter who tells it. The similarity is we attack the lie and not the person? I think that you and I agree that a break from the complaining would have been nice but talk to Dr. Bury not those that would comment on her article she posted. I do have to feel sorry for those that would read this article as truth when its so much supposition and assumption and video replay refutes at least one key component. Maybe the change OL needs is a change in assuming that everyone is a criminal or putting everything under a microscope for their own benefit? Maybe the change is to let the Village run and not constantly question each detail? The only change that is possible is for people to really think hard about what is real and what is spin. Once people can look at things objectively and not assume the worst first it can all get better. Actual fact is real, what if's are opinion. I've disagreed with things supported by all sides at one time or another. Nobody is perfect but spinning hatred will never fix any of it. Fix the problem by not trying to blame someone for everything and if you have to, blame the right person after it is proven. Then real change has a chance, otherwise never.
Blowing Smoke
11:33 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Quiet Neijghbor=Heilmann: yes wouldn't it be nice if everyone would agree with the mayor and never question anything? are you crazy? thank GOD there are people hwho won’t let you get away with it! the pesky people who stand for ethics and transparency are so disruptive to your master plan for complete power.
you're crazy if you think that taxpayers don't want officials to "question each detail." that's what we elect them to do! a RUBBER STAMP board is what you want and that would be DANGEROUS. as to the facts, let's see what the FBI says about it all and if any FELONY INDICTMENTS are wrapped up in a bow for the new year. You/Heilmann and Streit should immediately resign. a leader accepts responsibility and doesn’t blame everyone else.
andy skoundrianos
7:14 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Boy jeez, you sure sound like a Dennis speech written for Bob Are you any relation to Peter?? You guys are worried,I know it's not easy knowing all your secret plans have been defeated. Funny you attack me with a new fake name and I respond with my own name. Who is the real hypocrite?
Oak Lawn Homegirl
7:52 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Fact: Regardless of who knew, Streit never should have had his brother's company included in the bid. Politics here are already suspect. Why put yourself under unnecessary scrutiny? Just a bonehead move.
andy skoundrianos
9:13 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Hey Quiet show us where you have ever disagreed with Da Mayor. At least I tell you I don't agree with the Mayor and tell you why.
Joe Wilson
10:01 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
andy=tommys talking head.
FYI No one gives a rats behind about what you think! Everyone knows who you NOW agree with, since Bobby dumped you and that says alot! LOL
You just spew your venom, innuendos and lies on your computer day and night. Get off of your haha "disability", and get a Computer related or Call Center Job, where you can rest your "disability" and just maybe find a little integrity. lol
Just my opinion....
Quiet Neighbor
11:44 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Well Andy, I'll show you the courtesy that you haven't shown me, ever, and answer your question directly. I wasn't a fan of the idea of a senior center in the ground floor of a bank. I think that you and a few others mistake my posts as "for the Mayor" when they are actually against things written as if they are authoritative when they are opinion. People read that opinion and take it as fact. I'm against there being only one side to arguments and that being "off with their head" and like to encourage thinking about both sides. I like to take a calmer approach. Things could have happened exactly how they were "explained". Maybe they didn't. The one fact that Dr. Bury gave witness to personally is refuted in 2 places. That isn't "for the mayor" that is just pointing out a glaring inconsistency. I am not "Heilmann" and how people keep gravitating to the "shady" assumption that I'm not just someone with an opinion goes to my point. Drama and political bloodshed are exciting, so mistakes aren't mistakes they are scandals. I have no hate, except for the smear and the degree to which every discrepancy is such a huge deal. I'd help Dr. Bury, as a person, any day of the week but I can disagree with or be disgusted with her methods of campaigning while still not being "for anyone". I don't hold the Village to the standard of "perfection or hit the road" and I don't hold anything a politician does against them as a person. I'm not out for blood just truth and reason and healthy debate
Jeeter Gerasi
7:40 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
andy skoundrianos
7:08 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
"Mr. Murphy I answer every question you Dave fans ask..".
Hey Andy you why don't you answer questions???? Attack and spew then duck back into your hole. What's that about big man. Maybe TP hasn't been able to get to the computer, or maybe he has. lmao As a matter of fact I don't believe you really are Andy Skoundrianos at all. hhmmmmmmmmmmmmm
andyblandy
10:20 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Andy will go running to Lorraine now "Joe Wilson" crying that you hurt his feelings. And then your comment will be gone. Because her on The Patch Andy can toss libel comments left and right without any censorship. But soon he will be delivered "shut up" papers.
Joe Wilson
10:23 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
andyblandy- probably, but thats just my opinion.I call it as I see it just like he says he does.
andy skoundrianos
8:54 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Oh anonymous blogger, what questions do I duck? I told you who l support and who l am. I can't help that you don't like facts.Keep up with the guesswork as to Who you think is really me or not me!! The one thing for sure is that you and your buddies are running scared.
andyblandy
10:44 pm on Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Oh I agree Joe Wilson. But just pointing out the how transparent The Patch is. I know you "get it"
andy skoundrianos
12:16 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Never refute facts , cutesy fakes names and personal attacks, attack reporters and the patch for telling the news. Is that all you got?? Pretty sad
William J Murphy
12:50 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
andy, I've noticed when you state Your Facts that others do indeed refute them. However you won't refute their answers OR answer their questions. You answer with personal attacks, that you accuse everyone else of doing. Meanwhile you hide behind Lorraine and Sandra Bury for your protection. As someone once said, "No one likes a Kiss ___." You make Eddie Haskell look like an amateur.
You're right about one thing though, "What is good for the goose is good for the gander in Oak Lawn politics. Hypocrisy abounds at the board table these days."
andy skoundrianos
7:08 pm on Monday, January 7, 2013
Mr. Murphy I answer every question you Dave fans ask... The problem is that you don't like my answers. How do I hide behind anyone? I use my own name, I don.t run the patch,DR. Bury doesn't tell me what to do. If you want to stop the stories and bloggers tell your buddies to stop committing crimes!! I think that last term you used for me is more appropriate for Dave and his new buddy Bob Streit...
William J Murphy
7:22 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
"Mr. Murphy I answer every question you Dave fans ask... The problem is that you don't like my answers. How do I hide behind anyone? I use my own name" Really??
You are a liar andy...or is it Gilbert? You don't answer questions by other posters. You only attack those that ASK the questions. Do you even know the difference between answers and attacks? Those are NOT answers. Wait... now I think I understand... Your role is to hold the mirrors and blow the smoke! That must be hard being disabled and all, huh?
your role is to keep
Read this blog alone. As of yet you have NOT answered one question put to you!
psssst BTW It's Gilbert & Sullivan
andy skoundrianos
10:30 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
Mr. Murphy or whatever fake name you are using, where is this gilbert thing?? You say smoke and mirrors when you hang around the guy who invented the term in the Mayor?? Just personal attacks again, no facts Don't blame me if the people you support are doing stupid things. That is not my fault, but keep complaining it means it is working...
Quiet Neighbor
11:14 pm on Friday, January 4, 2013
What Mr. Murphy is referring to is:
http://oaklawn.patch.com/users/gilbert-osullivan/comments
and if that disappears:
http://imgur.com/GaeNU
I think he's questioning if that is your fake name (that was used on the dist 123 post also) or is it someone else 's words that you are posting? I'm sure it could be coincidence that 80 pct of their post and your first post here are just freakishly identical right? Can't be yours, you NEVER use fake names....
Hypocrisy much?
Then again I could be mistaken and he meant something else
smoochAndy
1:22 pm on Wednesday, January 2, 2013
Hahahahaha.. love to poke andy....smmmmooooch
eo
2:10 pm on Thursday, January 3, 2013
All the regulars still bitchin' and moanin'. 2013. Some things will never change. From the entire Village Administration (Board) if that's what you would like to call it, to all the same folks that bicker. I'm a resident that worked for a neighboring community and the Mayor and I from that community had a great chuckle about what a mockery Oak Lawn has become. How embarassing. Pray people. Just pray. God knows this town needs all the help it can get.
William J Murphy
11:41 am on Sunday, January 6, 2013
Andy/Tom/Gilbert, or whatever fake name you and Tom are using, Quiet Neighbor is right on the mark.
"where is this gilbert thing?? " duh what,? who me? Get real, as your buddy likes to say! You've been outed, Punk.
Now you even accuse people using their/my Real Name of having "fake names"??Who in the blank do you think you are ??? "Just personal attacks again, no facts", as usual, GiAnTom!
anthony
1:21 am on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Thanks Will aim lol
William J Murphy
6:54 pm on Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Thanks anthony.