Did the school union endorse Mr. Quigley because he promised them the 5% raises?
This year he cut the funds for school books, sports, and special eduction assistance, then after the budget is set months ago, he offers a 5% raise to the teachers in the same week the Teachers Union endorses him for the April election?
Some say there is no such thing as coincidence.
Is it also coincidence that the head of the school union is tight with Mr. Roger Claar?
We do NOT recommend Mr. Quigley, Mr. Venegas, or Mr. Gougis. These are current trustees that have raised the taxes on the residents year after year, causing the skyrocketing taxes for homeowners. Even though the taxes have skyrocketed, it is NOT because they have raised the school scores, added programs, or increased the benefits to the student body. In fact, they have been the worst financial budgeters in over 20 years!
They cut from the most needy, increase for political power, and on top of all that, have nasty attitudes! They yell at residents who come up to speak and even had residents cry! This is not a role model board for the students. They are only for themselves.
If you wanna lower taxes, increase services for the students, and increase test scores, stay away from Quigley, Gougis, and Venegas on the ballot come April election.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
In my opinion, by Jay Washington
Every now and then I have to add my opinion to this web site. It is normally when I cannot stand to keep quiet any longer... when something is done that needs a voice to stand behind it. That time has come today.
Our board memebers sat down this weekend to review the annual financials, as you can see in the artlcles below. I demanded to write about one thing on the financials that UPSET me greatly.
On page 7 of the 2010 Annual Financial Report there is a statement that should speak for itself, but I had to render my opinion and point it out.
"The expense of the Village was $73.8 Mil. Public Safety was 32%, general government was 19.6%. The largest component was sales tax rebate paid to local businesses and health and workers compensation insurance under a self insured plan.
Now, as a taxpayer, I will make this real simple. You take $73.8 Mil and find a way to pay for that. You tax the property owners and you add sales and gas tax. This would give you most of that money. Now, you take that money (that the taxpayers worked hard to pay for) and you hand that to the local businesses to re-imburse them for the sales tax you were charged.
Therefore, the residents get poor while the large businesses get rich on your dollar.
I am sick that businesses are given a free ride in Bolingbrook while our taxes skyrocket and services are cut. An opposite example is Schaumburg, which does not charge property tax for the Village because they make enough on local businesses and sales tax. they keep the money in the residents hands, not big business hands.
The thought makes me sick...
Our board memebers sat down this weekend to review the annual financials, as you can see in the artlcles below. I demanded to write about one thing on the financials that UPSET me greatly.
On page 7 of the 2010 Annual Financial Report there is a statement that should speak for itself, but I had to render my opinion and point it out.
"The expense of the Village was $73.8 Mil. Public Safety was 32%, general government was 19.6%. The largest component was sales tax rebate paid to local businesses and health and workers compensation insurance under a self insured plan.
Now, as a taxpayer, I will make this real simple. You take $73.8 Mil and find a way to pay for that. You tax the property owners and you add sales and gas tax. This would give you most of that money. Now, you take that money (that the taxpayers worked hard to pay for) and you hand that to the local businesses to re-imburse them for the sales tax you were charged.
Therefore, the residents get poor while the large businesses get rich on your dollar.
I am sick that businesses are given a free ride in Bolingbrook while our taxes skyrocket and services are cut. An opposite example is Schaumburg, which does not charge property tax for the Village because they make enough on local businesses and sales tax. they keep the money in the residents hands, not big business hands.
The thought makes me sick...
Clow Airport Needs to Allow Aliens to Land
The Bolingbrook Babbler reminds people of the aliens that land at Clow Airport. However, if they did land, we would probably not sustain the annual losses each year.
The airport is notorious for continuing to expand a runway, widen a runway, add expensive buildings, but they are not notorious for having a profit.
In the 2010 financial the operating revenues were $391K and the operating losses were $109K. They can never turn a $1 profit, thus costing tax payers money each year.
What we want to point out is that the amount of land that they sit on is worth a big deal of money. If we built homes there, businesses there, or other things there, taxpayers would have more taxes in the kitty and less taxes to pay for property and sales. So not only is this a losing business venture, but keeping it open is keeping our taxes high as residents.
Although we get a kick out of the Babbler articles on Clow space station (airport), we think he has a point. It is out of our world to keep running it as a loss and keeping the land while dumping millions in bond debt to add to it when it could never pay off these additions.
The airport is notorious for continuing to expand a runway, widen a runway, add expensive buildings, but they are not notorious for having a profit.
In the 2010 financial the operating revenues were $391K and the operating losses were $109K. They can never turn a $1 profit, thus costing tax payers money each year.
What we want to point out is that the amount of land that they sit on is worth a big deal of money. If we built homes there, businesses there, or other things there, taxpayers would have more taxes in the kitty and less taxes to pay for property and sales. So not only is this a losing business venture, but keeping it open is keeping our taxes high as residents.
Although we get a kick out of the Babbler articles on Clow space station (airport), we think he has a point. It is out of our world to keep running it as a loss and keeping the land while dumping millions in bond debt to add to it when it could never pay off these additions.
Americana Estates profit and losses to Bolingbrook taxpayers
Americana Estates is the only housing subdivision owned by taxpayers in the State of Illinois. This means that Bolingbrook used your tax money to be in the real estate business. So when the market busted and they lost their pants, all the taxpayers lost their pants.
American Estates was plotted to accommodate about 150 mac-mansions behind the current golf course. It holds approx. 30 homes, some are vacant. The taxpayers, with the vote from the Mayor and Trustees, built the land, sewer, plumbing, electric, plotting, the whole nine yards with tax money. For years they have not sold one plot of land...
Last year, according to the Village financials, the area operating revenues were $0 and the losses were $63,436.00. Vendor payment was $71,475 to suppliers showing a total loss of $71,475.00. This loss was a loss to the people that pay property taxes and sales taxes in Bolingbrook.
The homeowners association fee is not listed in the financials. We are unsure if they pay this anymore, as they were offered many things in their community that never came to be. The losses should be the homeowners association losses, not the village losses, as most homeowners pay for the services. Since this is Village owned, we all get stuck with fees to owning a slice of wasteland.
According to a local source, they have had opportunity to sell this land to a local builder and get out of the real estate business, cutting the loss to the taxpayers... Bolingbrook would make money on this deal and not have the annual costs of maintenance and marketing. The Mayor and Trustees have not decided to sell.
So the people that made a bad business decision to buy the land and run a real estate business are the same people that won't sell. Is anyone surprised? It appears we have some REALLY bad decision makers in office...
American Estates was plotted to accommodate about 150 mac-mansions behind the current golf course. It holds approx. 30 homes, some are vacant. The taxpayers, with the vote from the Mayor and Trustees, built the land, sewer, plumbing, electric, plotting, the whole nine yards with tax money. For years they have not sold one plot of land...
Last year, according to the Village financials, the area operating revenues were $0 and the losses were $63,436.00. Vendor payment was $71,475 to suppliers showing a total loss of $71,475.00. This loss was a loss to the people that pay property taxes and sales taxes in Bolingbrook.
The homeowners association fee is not listed in the financials. We are unsure if they pay this anymore, as they were offered many things in their community that never came to be. The losses should be the homeowners association losses, not the village losses, as most homeowners pay for the services. Since this is Village owned, we all get stuck with fees to owning a slice of wasteland.
According to a local source, they have had opportunity to sell this land to a local builder and get out of the real estate business, cutting the loss to the taxpayers... Bolingbrook would make money on this deal and not have the annual costs of maintenance and marketing. The Mayor and Trustees have not decided to sell.
So the people that made a bad business decision to buy the land and run a real estate business are the same people that won't sell. Is anyone surprised? It appears we have some REALLY bad decision makers in office...
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Kemper Management earnings since 2002
Kemper Management, which runs the losing golf course venture called Bolingbrook Golf Club, has had nice pay checks through the years. Here is what their pay is according to Village Financials.
2010 - $2,455,311.29
2009 - $543,005.44
2008 - $381,798.92
2007 - $17,509.23
2006 - $3,883,994.30
2005 - Not disclosed
2004 - Not Disclosed
2003 - $114,760 Management and $1,173,513 payroll
2002- $45,394
2010 - $2,455,311.29
2009 - $543,005.44
2008 - $381,798.92
2007 - $17,509.23
2006 - $3,883,994.30
2005 - Not disclosed
2004 - Not Disclosed
2003 - $114,760 Management and $1,173,513 payroll
2002- $45,394
Bolingbrook Golf Club Drains Tax Payers due to 9 years of extreme losses
Now that the annual financials were just released (ended in April 2010 but released this week), we took a look at analyzing the golf course revenues.
Just to review some old stories, the Golf Course opened in 2002 and has not only lost the residents millions of dollars in revenues, it has been unable to pay back the over $40 Mil of whopping debt we incurred to build the LARGEST public golf course in the State of Illinois!
Most residents still ponder the decision of why we needed this monstrosity, while others claim it is because the Mayor wanted his own personal drinking hole. Since last year, the Mayor has alleged that he has sworn off the second office in this Golf Club.
A few months back we covered the story of this golf club and the private hot tubs, three saunas within 50 feet of each other and the private lockers (One tagged with Mayor Claars wife's name). We posted pictures (see past article under archive).
So how is this monstrosity doing to alleviate our extreme tax burdens this year? We are glad you asked.
According to the 2010 just released financials, the Golf Course lost over a half a million dollars in one year.... again. You do the math.
Customer Receipts were $7,056,180
Payment to Suppliers were $3,877,511
Payment to Employees were $2,940,701
Interest payment on debt was $0
Principle payment on debt $0
Lease payments $91,228
Total losses were claimed at - $527,870
Labor was over 40%!!! (Common industry practice is labor between 17% and 20%.). If labor was only 20% we would have made $1 Million dollars!
Yet we keep hiring this management company on a year by year contract, we don't bid out for other contracts and we pay them a whopping $ per year! According to the 2010 financials... grab your seat, Kemper Management received $2,455,311.29 in one year!
I bet I could get managers to run that company for less than $300K a year and save our money! By all means, it is a banquet hall, restaurant, and golf center. How hard is that to hire three GM's, and one Director?!!! How hard can it be to control inventory and labor? I can tell you whenever I have been there to take pictures or visit, there is way too much labor standing around, hanging out, and chatting away NOT helping the customers!
What is the reason that Mayor Claar is still using this golf club management company? There has to be a reason for this... we need to investigate this.
Well we keep making mistake after mistake on this property. (By "we" I mean the tax payers that do not vote out the incumbents and Mayor and allow them to continuously make bad decisions).
As a tax paying resident, I think that the Management company, the Trustees, and Mayor get a two thumbs down for their ongoing failure on this one.
Just to review some old stories, the Golf Course opened in 2002 and has not only lost the residents millions of dollars in revenues, it has been unable to pay back the over $40 Mil of whopping debt we incurred to build the LARGEST public golf course in the State of Illinois!
Most residents still ponder the decision of why we needed this monstrosity, while others claim it is because the Mayor wanted his own personal drinking hole. Since last year, the Mayor has alleged that he has sworn off the second office in this Golf Club.
A few months back we covered the story of this golf club and the private hot tubs, three saunas within 50 feet of each other and the private lockers (One tagged with Mayor Claars wife's name). We posted pictures (see past article under archive).
So how is this monstrosity doing to alleviate our extreme tax burdens this year? We are glad you asked.
According to the 2010 just released financials, the Golf Course lost over a half a million dollars in one year.... again. You do the math.
Customer Receipts were $7,056,180
Payment to Suppliers were $3,877,511
Payment to Employees were $2,940,701
Interest payment on debt was $0
Principle payment on debt $0
Lease payments $91,228
Total losses were claimed at - $527,870
Labor was over 40%!!! (Common industry practice is labor between 17% and 20%.). If labor was only 20% we would have made $1 Million dollars!
Yet we keep hiring this management company on a year by year contract, we don't bid out for other contracts and we pay them a whopping $ per year! According to the 2010 financials... grab your seat, Kemper Management received $2,455,311.29 in one year!
I bet I could get managers to run that company for less than $300K a year and save our money! By all means, it is a banquet hall, restaurant, and golf center. How hard is that to hire three GM's, and one Director?!!! How hard can it be to control inventory and labor? I can tell you whenever I have been there to take pictures or visit, there is way too much labor standing around, hanging out, and chatting away NOT helping the customers!
What is the reason that Mayor Claar is still using this golf club management company? There has to be a reason for this... we need to investigate this.
Well we keep making mistake after mistake on this property. (By "we" I mean the tax payers that do not vote out the incumbents and Mayor and allow them to continuously make bad decisions).
As a tax paying resident, I think that the Management company, the Trustees, and Mayor get a two thumbs down for their ongoing failure on this one.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Residents want to know if they should vote for Trustee Schanks
Trustee Pat Schanks has served for many years. Her husband was politically connected and it is rumored that the good ol' boy network got her in this position. There is a S. Schanks on Village Payroll making over $95K per year as well. We have received many emails asking if she should be re-elected. We decided to put the question back into your hands.
Pat Schanks makes between $10K to $15K per year as a trustee (see 2010 Treasurers Report). Her job is to attend 20 meetings a year. This breaks down to $500 - $750 per half hour to two hour meeting. Trustees are suppose to read the bills and agendas before the meeting, ask any questions about the issue, and be prepared to vote for the best interest of the residents.
Some residents have recently commented that she sleeps during meetings and wakes up to "second" every motion. Some swear she is good at what she does.
We took the stats from the last year (Jan 2010 to current) and counted how many votes per meeting she sat for. There was a total of 296 calls for votes. Of these, she responded as first or second motion approving 117 of these votes. Therefore, she voted yes on 40% of the total bills, agenda items, and other items needing passing. She abstained from approx. 60% of the votes. This means she did not participate at all for these votes. Out of the 117 she voted for plus the number she abstained from, she offered NOT ONE SINGLE "NO" vote.
Some would say this places her 40% responsible first hand for passing the $400MiL debt. Some would say that NOT voting places her responsible, or 100% responsible, for the $400Mil debt. The fact that she STILL has not voted no, even though we write about the rubber stamping all the time, is not a good thing.
The question to our audience is...
1. Do you feel she is responsible for 0, 40, 60, or 100% of the extreme debt?
2. Do you think she knows what she is "seconding" on the motions when they pass it?
3. Is she aware that most of the bills she seconded were not the best bid for the work?
4. Is she awake during these meetings or partially asleep? (Watch videos to determine)
5. Does she know that she voted on businesses to do work in Bolingbrook that had no right to be in Bolingbrook (Mafia, top campaign donors, etc)?
6. Does she realize she is a rubber stamp trustee with a voting record of "0" NO votes?
Once you answer these questions, you can decide if you still want her to be in office. Choose wisely during this election, as you FINALLY have a choice of people to vote for.
Pat Schanks makes between $10K to $15K per year as a trustee (see 2010 Treasurers Report). Her job is to attend 20 meetings a year. This breaks down to $500 - $750 per half hour to two hour meeting. Trustees are suppose to read the bills and agendas before the meeting, ask any questions about the issue, and be prepared to vote for the best interest of the residents.
Some residents have recently commented that she sleeps during meetings and wakes up to "second" every motion. Some swear she is good at what she does.
We took the stats from the last year (Jan 2010 to current) and counted how many votes per meeting she sat for. There was a total of 296 calls for votes. Of these, she responded as first or second motion approving 117 of these votes. Therefore, she voted yes on 40% of the total bills, agenda items, and other items needing passing. She abstained from approx. 60% of the votes. This means she did not participate at all for these votes. Out of the 117 she voted for plus the number she abstained from, she offered NOT ONE SINGLE "NO" vote.
Some would say this places her 40% responsible first hand for passing the $400MiL debt. Some would say that NOT voting places her responsible, or 100% responsible, for the $400Mil debt. The fact that she STILL has not voted no, even though we write about the rubber stamping all the time, is not a good thing.
The question to our audience is...
1. Do you feel she is responsible for 0, 40, 60, or 100% of the extreme debt?
2. Do you think she knows what she is "seconding" on the motions when they pass it?
3. Is she aware that most of the bills she seconded were not the best bid for the work?
4. Is she awake during these meetings or partially asleep? (Watch videos to determine)
5. Does she know that she voted on businesses to do work in Bolingbrook that had no right to be in Bolingbrook (Mafia, top campaign donors, etc)?
6. Does she realize she is a rubber stamp trustee with a voting record of "0" NO votes?
Once you answer these questions, you can decide if you still want her to be in office. Choose wisely during this election, as you FINALLY have a choice of people to vote for.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Drew Peterson Update to Tax Payers
Following his fourth wife Stacy's mysterious October 28, 2007, disappearance, Peterson announced his plans to retire as a Bolingbrook police sergeant as of December 2007. On November 15, 2007, the Bolingbrook Police Pension Board voted to allow Peterson to collect his pension of $6,067.71 per month,[6] claiming current law gave them no option, as Peterson had not been convicted of a crime.
This put Mr. Peterson into the Illinois Municipal Retirement funds for his income, starting in Nov. 2007.
On May 7 2009 Drew was arrested and charged with murdering his wife: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,519392,00.html.
We are unsure if he is still collecting his IMRF money or not.
But we are sure that the Village of Bolingbrook Treasurers Report, finally posted online, declares him as a paid employee.
The May 1, 2009 to April 2010 annual treasurers report claims that D. Peterson made $73,577 from jail, not counting his IMRF monies.
How could this happen? Is this a payoff for keeping quiet because he knew too much? Is it past money owed to him? Or is it that his retirement fund would not pay his fees? WHAT HAPPENED?
We are researching this and will report when we get more information.
Election news from Bonnie Alicea
Bonnie's advice for voting on April 5th...
Bonnie believes that everyone has a skeleton or two in their closet, but the people we should avoid are those who have entire cemeteries.
Bonnie believes that everyone has a skeleton or two in their closet, but the people we should avoid are those who have entire cemeteries.
Hot Head Trustee Ricky Morales Loses It--Again
At the Feb. 22 Village Board Meeting, Trustee Candidate Bob Bowen spoke during questions from the public time and asked the Trustees once again why they have put Bolingbrook residents $500 Million in debt, making Bolingbrook's debt per person higher than any other Village or City in Illinois.
Completely ignoring Bob's question, Trustee Ricky Morales' response was that he went to a lot of dinners/events with Roger Claar last weekend so that makes him a good Trustee. Huh? Never mind that he rubber stamped Bolingbrook into a half a billion dollars in red ink, Ricky thinks he's a great Trustee because he pals around with Roger.
While completely in his own little world and out of touch with reality and the needs and wants of the residents, Ricky's attitude is not unique among Roger's incumbent Trustees who seem to think bankrupting Bolingbrook and slashing services for the residents is just fine--as long as they pal around with Roger that makes they're irresponsible and reckless rubber stamp voting OK. (Remember, he is the one that asked WHY we needed a plan to pay off the debt and had no idea if there was one. Would you vote approving over $400 Million in debt and not have a game plan of paying it off?)
Ricky also went on to say "We [incumbent Trustees] are honest we are true." Why would Ricky feel the need to say this--because NO thinking resident believes this. This is the same "honest" "true" Ricky who said a resident was lying because he asked Ricky to stop spending $100 of our tax money a shot on expensive meals in Springfield. It turns out the resident was completely correct and we published the invoices and receipts for Ricky's lavish Springfield meals on our tax dollars in this now famous article on Ricky "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire" (all proving docs posted on http://bolingbrookreport.com/localpolitics/watchdoginformation.html and scroll down to Ricky).
It was just last year that Ricky flipped out at Bonnie Alicea during a board meeting when she asked if the Village annual financials and bills could be posted online for busy residents to view. He asked, "are you going to come to EVERY meeting?" In which Bonnie responded, "If it means fighting for transparency, yes". Since that temper tantrum, the Village now posts the financials on their web site!
Just say NO to self-serving incumbent Trustees like Ricky on April 5. Put him out to pasture and vote in citizens like Bob Bowen who aren't afraid to stand up and represent the interests of the residents who pay the taxes. More on Ricky coming next week... If this did not shock you, the next article is sure to make you call all your Bolingbrook friends!
Completely ignoring Bob's question, Trustee Ricky Morales' response was that he went to a lot of dinners/events with Roger Claar last weekend so that makes him a good Trustee. Huh? Never mind that he rubber stamped Bolingbrook into a half a billion dollars in red ink, Ricky thinks he's a great Trustee because he pals around with Roger.
While completely in his own little world and out of touch with reality and the needs and wants of the residents, Ricky's attitude is not unique among Roger's incumbent Trustees who seem to think bankrupting Bolingbrook and slashing services for the residents is just fine--as long as they pal around with Roger that makes they're irresponsible and reckless rubber stamp voting OK. (Remember, he is the one that asked WHY we needed a plan to pay off the debt and had no idea if there was one. Would you vote approving over $400 Million in debt and not have a game plan of paying it off?)
Ricky also went on to say "We [incumbent Trustees] are honest we are true." Why would Ricky feel the need to say this--because NO thinking resident believes this. This is the same "honest" "true" Ricky who said a resident was lying because he asked Ricky to stop spending $100 of our tax money a shot on expensive meals in Springfield. It turns out the resident was completely correct and we published the invoices and receipts for Ricky's lavish Springfield meals on our tax dollars in this now famous article on Ricky "Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire" (all proving docs posted on http://bolingbrookreport.com/localpolitics/watchdoginformation.html and scroll down to Ricky).
It was just last year that Ricky flipped out at Bonnie Alicea during a board meeting when she asked if the Village annual financials and bills could be posted online for busy residents to view. He asked, "are you going to come to EVERY meeting?" In which Bonnie responded, "If it means fighting for transparency, yes". Since that temper tantrum, the Village now posts the financials on their web site!
Just say NO to self-serving incumbent Trustees like Ricky on April 5. Put him out to pasture and vote in citizens like Bob Bowen who aren't afraid to stand up and represent the interests of the residents who pay the taxes. More on Ricky coming next week... If this did not shock you, the next article is sure to make you call all your Bolingbrook friends!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Update on Devon Hodges
With all that this kid has been through, we hear he has not been playing this Senior Year.
All we have to say to this is that Karma is a Bit**. Those people involved in this disaster will not be hearing the end to this story.
We are waiting on the public apology to this family and this kid who deserved to try to go pro.
We support you Devon! You have a cheering section!
All we have to say to this is that Karma is a Bit**. Those people involved in this disaster will not be hearing the end to this story.
We are waiting on the public apology to this family and this kid who deserved to try to go pro.
We support you Devon! You have a cheering section!
Bolingbrook Diversity
Most people don't know that Bolingbrook is a diverse environment that is lacking in cultural stimulation. For instance, the 2000 census showed 64.5% of the population is white, 20% black, and 13% Hispanic. Since then, the number of diverse individuals have moved into Bolingbrook, running the demographics to about 32% equally. In the meantime, the administration and environment has not changed to adapt to the cultural differences.
For example, the diversity of the teachers hired has not compensated for the gaps in the diversity of the students. The stores allowed to come into the community do not represent the community demographics. Although the Asian community is relatively small in Bolingbrook, they are allowed to open more small culturally diverse stores then the Hispanics and the Black population.
The lovely stage and lights in the back of the Police station hosts many family friendly events and concerts. However, the majority of the plays, bands, and events are catered towards "white" residents, favoring 1980 rock bands, regular beer and non-cultural foods.
One resident asked us to point out this issue this week. He stated, "When I want to take my son to see a concert in town I want to see the Chicago Blues, have a malt beer and eat something that has flavor. Is that too much to ask for? I pay the taxes too! Where are the small mom and pop places to cater towards our different cultures? It is either pizza or Chinese foods... High priced foods, or bland foods. We want more!"
It is true that Bolingbook caters towards the chain stores and restaurants? It is a fact that this has caused many vacant buildings around town. Bolingbrook does not watch over small businesses that come into town to protect the self interest of local entrepreneurs. They work with (or have ownership) in the local strip plazas and charge them enormous fees for permits, construction, etc. They eat up the little guys and spit them out the door, broke and closed for business.
But the residents want more. The residents are tired of large chains and processed foods. They are tired of it costing them $100 a meal to take their family out for a simple dinner. They want culture in their food. They want culture in their environment. They want people to put together Village events with culture in mind. They want a change.
For example, the diversity of the teachers hired has not compensated for the gaps in the diversity of the students. The stores allowed to come into the community do not represent the community demographics. Although the Asian community is relatively small in Bolingbrook, they are allowed to open more small culturally diverse stores then the Hispanics and the Black population.
The lovely stage and lights in the back of the Police station hosts many family friendly events and concerts. However, the majority of the plays, bands, and events are catered towards "white" residents, favoring 1980 rock bands, regular beer and non-cultural foods.
One resident asked us to point out this issue this week. He stated, "When I want to take my son to see a concert in town I want to see the Chicago Blues, have a malt beer and eat something that has flavor. Is that too much to ask for? I pay the taxes too! Where are the small mom and pop places to cater towards our different cultures? It is either pizza or Chinese foods... High priced foods, or bland foods. We want more!"
It is true that Bolingbook caters towards the chain stores and restaurants? It is a fact that this has caused many vacant buildings around town. Bolingbrook does not watch over small businesses that come into town to protect the self interest of local entrepreneurs. They work with (or have ownership) in the local strip plazas and charge them enormous fees for permits, construction, etc. They eat up the little guys and spit them out the door, broke and closed for business.
But the residents want more. The residents are tired of large chains and processed foods. They are tired of it costing them $100 a meal to take their family out for a simple dinner. They want culture in their food. They want culture in their environment. They want people to put together Village events with culture in mind. They want a change.
Bolingbrook Beautification Awards
Tomorrow at 7pm the Village will issue the holiday Beautification awards. Don't be surprised to see some of Bolingbrook's well connected names pop up! We will cover the story as it comes...
Thursday, February 17, 2011
From the Will County Independent Party
Please post this on your blog...
The Will County Independent Party endorses the following candidates for Village Trustee election April 5, 2011.
Robert Bowen
Rhonds Reed Slaughter
Joe Napionello
Please take these names with you to the polls.
We find these candidates to have the highest level of honesty, integrity, and ability to do the job.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Will County Independent Party
The Will County Independent Party endorses the following candidates for Village Trustee election April 5, 2011.
Robert Bowen
Rhonds Reed Slaughter
Joe Napionello
Please take these names with you to the polls.
We find these candidates to have the highest level of honesty, integrity, and ability to do the job.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Will County Independent Party
Candidates we Endorse for the April 5th Election
It is our pleasure to endorse three candidates for the April 5, 2011 election for Trustee of the Village. Three spots are opening and we have weighed each candidates credentials, contributions to the community, integrity, honesty, morality, and overall ability to reduce the taxes in the Village. We also took into account those that we felt would work in the best interest of the residents, not in the best interest of themselves. These positions are public servant positions with minimal pay.
Regretfully, some candidates did not make this list because we felt they were too easily prone to being "fence straddlers" and being swayed in their decision to do right by the residents, over their decisions to do right by the current administration strong holds.
The three candidates we are endorsing for the three vacating seats are Rhonda Reed-Slaughter, Bob (Robert) Bowen, and Joe Napionello.
Rhonda has been an integral part of educating residents about the issues in the community through her web site. As a local watch dog of governmental spending affairs, she has brought to light major issues such as Golf Course losses, Airport struggles, and Americana Estates debts. Rhonda operates on the phrase "slow and steady wins the race", implying that she will be there, be strong, and support the residents. She is an unmoveable force that holds an accounting degree and background while being a proud mother of two.
Robert Bowen is a strong voice for the residents. His unwavering demand for change has been seen at the local board meetings. He has brought to light the tremendous debt that the current trustees have burdened us and our future generations with. This debt, per capita, is the largest in the state of Illinois. With Bolingbrook on the brink of Bankruptcy, there is nobody more hated by the current administration then Mr. Bowen who demands answers about why the debt is so high. He has exposed the current administration for not having a proper plan to reduce the increasing frivolous spending habits and debts of the Village. He has confronted the Mayor about the Water Company problems and exposed the people that have the most to gain with the out of control spending. He will fight for each and every resident as the proud Christian, father of two), and Procurement Project Manager he is. His expertise is to negotiate contracts that do not fatten wallets and would serve Bolingbrook with a new found freedom of eliminating pay to play in local politics and the ability to lower taxes.
Joe Napionello is a strong business man who has devoted his life to marketing and sales. This is an area that Bolingbrook residents need, as marketing the losing ventures (golf course, Americana estates and airport) can reduce taxes, and improve Bolingbrook's viability which can bring businesses, jobs, and fill up foreclosed homes. His ideas are worth listening to and his knowledge of current business dealings with the Village can bring change to the new companies looking to move into Bolingbrook without pay to play supporting the need. Bolingbrook needs to maintain small businesses, which have been eliminated little by little while the current administration fights only for wallet fattening chain businesses. These smaller businesses reflect the culture and diversity that Bolingbrook residents demand and that the current system fights against. Joe is a morally sound and strong individual who will not straddle a fence when a tough decision comes his way.
Vote strong this election cycle. Vote for change and hope for Bolingbrook. This is the year that a difference can be made. We support the candidates above because of the issues we stated and the new blood and tenacity they bring to the mix. We need strong individuals to balance a board of weak, rubber stamped trustees.
To support their causes, you can send donations, or offer time and help during campaigning.
See you at the polls!
Regretfully, some candidates did not make this list because we felt they were too easily prone to being "fence straddlers" and being swayed in their decision to do right by the residents, over their decisions to do right by the current administration strong holds.
The three candidates we are endorsing for the three vacating seats are Rhonda Reed-Slaughter, Bob (Robert) Bowen, and Joe Napionello.
Rhonda has been an integral part of educating residents about the issues in the community through her web site. As a local watch dog of governmental spending affairs, she has brought to light major issues such as Golf Course losses, Airport struggles, and Americana Estates debts. Rhonda operates on the phrase "slow and steady wins the race", implying that she will be there, be strong, and support the residents. She is an unmoveable force that holds an accounting degree and background while being a proud mother of two.
Robert Bowen is a strong voice for the residents. His unwavering demand for change has been seen at the local board meetings. He has brought to light the tremendous debt that the current trustees have burdened us and our future generations with. This debt, per capita, is the largest in the state of Illinois. With Bolingbrook on the brink of Bankruptcy, there is nobody more hated by the current administration then Mr. Bowen who demands answers about why the debt is so high. He has exposed the current administration for not having a proper plan to reduce the increasing frivolous spending habits and debts of the Village. He has confronted the Mayor about the Water Company problems and exposed the people that have the most to gain with the out of control spending. He will fight for each and every resident as the proud Christian, father of two), and Procurement Project Manager he is. His expertise is to negotiate contracts that do not fatten wallets and would serve Bolingbrook with a new found freedom of eliminating pay to play in local politics and the ability to lower taxes.
Joe Napionello is a strong business man who has devoted his life to marketing and sales. This is an area that Bolingbrook residents need, as marketing the losing ventures (golf course, Americana estates and airport) can reduce taxes, and improve Bolingbrook's viability which can bring businesses, jobs, and fill up foreclosed homes. His ideas are worth listening to and his knowledge of current business dealings with the Village can bring change to the new companies looking to move into Bolingbrook without pay to play supporting the need. Bolingbrook needs to maintain small businesses, which have been eliminated little by little while the current administration fights only for wallet fattening chain businesses. These smaller businesses reflect the culture and diversity that Bolingbrook residents demand and that the current system fights against. Joe is a morally sound and strong individual who will not straddle a fence when a tough decision comes his way.
Vote strong this election cycle. Vote for change and hope for Bolingbrook. This is the year that a difference can be made. We support the candidates above because of the issues we stated and the new blood and tenacity they bring to the mix. We need strong individuals to balance a board of weak, rubber stamped trustees.
To support their causes, you can send donations, or offer time and help during campaigning.
See you at the polls!
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Police let dangerous man walk through our neighborhoods
Porfirio Madrid was found passed out and intoxicated on Frontage Road. The Police found him and took him to the hospital. Porfirio was wanted for strangulation, battery, assault, intimidation, and bail jumping in Wisconsin. He had many fraudulent identification pieces on him as well.
However, a Bolingbrook Police officer allowed him to walk out of the hospital.
Fortunately, but much later, he was picked up on Schmidt road.
Why would the police have let him walk out of the hospital? Why could they not catch a guy moving on foot until so much later? This man was a threat to our families and this was obviously not viewed as a priority... What if he robbed, raped, or killed a resident while fleeing the police and trying to find a place to hide?
Maybe it was a priority for the Police but we lacked enough police to keep our streets safe, thanks to recent budget cuts...
However, a Bolingbrook Police officer allowed him to walk out of the hospital.
Fortunately, but much later, he was picked up on Schmidt road.
Why would the police have let him walk out of the hospital? Why could they not catch a guy moving on foot until so much later? This man was a threat to our families and this was obviously not viewed as a priority... What if he robbed, raped, or killed a resident while fleeing the police and trying to find a place to hide?
Maybe it was a priority for the Police but we lacked enough police to keep our streets safe, thanks to recent budget cuts...
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Board Meeting Water Debate
Yes, we know water rates have risen.
Yes, we know that Bolingbrook is desperate to get the water back after they sold it for pennies on a dollar ten years ago. Now the residents are struggling in a bad economy and spending a great deal of our tax dollars on lobbying for this take over, fees for attorneys, and other costs associated with this project.
Yes, we will probably be hit with a HUGE tax increase when Bolingbrook pushes to buy the water company without putting it to a referendum and letting the residents decide.
What Bob Bowen mentioned at the Village Board Meeting is that the only person that has ever gained anything or will gain anything from this debacle is Mr. Roger Claar.
The residents lost when he sold the company, but he got some great donations. The donations stream in with people hired and paid to fight this issue and the bids will PROBABLY be taken by highest bidders to donations on his private fund. Either way the residents loose and the Mayor wins.
But wait, the Mayor's friend Mr Jim Boan, Million Dollar Village Attorney, can charge more too, so we guess he wins as well...
We hope they retire soon, as the residents cannot take this drunken like spending habit much more!
Yes, we know that Bolingbrook is desperate to get the water back after they sold it for pennies on a dollar ten years ago. Now the residents are struggling in a bad economy and spending a great deal of our tax dollars on lobbying for this take over, fees for attorneys, and other costs associated with this project.
Yes, we will probably be hit with a HUGE tax increase when Bolingbrook pushes to buy the water company without putting it to a referendum and letting the residents decide.
What Bob Bowen mentioned at the Village Board Meeting is that the only person that has ever gained anything or will gain anything from this debacle is Mr. Roger Claar.
The residents lost when he sold the company, but he got some great donations. The donations stream in with people hired and paid to fight this issue and the bids will PROBABLY be taken by highest bidders to donations on his private fund. Either way the residents loose and the Mayor wins.
But wait, the Mayor's friend Mr Jim Boan, Million Dollar Village Attorney, can charge more too, so we guess he wins as well...
We hope they retire soon, as the residents cannot take this drunken like spending habit much more!
How do you know a politician is lying? They are talking...
Things that make you go Hmmmm, two times this week in Bolingbrook...
While we all questioned the Mayor's statement at the State of the Village regarding his rubber stamped trustees, he attempted to back peddle at the Village Board Meeting Tuesday night.
Mr. Bob (Robert) Bowen stepped up during audience question time at the meeting, to ask if what the Mayor said at the Village address was true. (The statement Claar made was pertaining to the Trustees NOT being rubber stamped because they discuss the bids/ bills/ etc. ahead of the meeting and work out issues.) Bob Bowen addressed the mayor about the implications about breaking IL Open Door Meeting and Sunshine Acts by discussing these issues behind closed doors.
The Mayor then claimed that these issues are NOT discussed before hand, thus contradicting the story he first told the entire public who viewed the State of the Village.
Therefore, he either lied first, or he is lying now. Either way, this would imply:
1. The Trustees ARE Rubber Stamping and do not discuss the situation prior to their continued passing of bills without even reading them, or
2. The trustees and Mayor would be violating the laws of Illinois and the oaths they took to be in office by discussing the public's business behind closed doors.
Like I tell my kids, one lie leads to another until your caught in a spiderweb of lies. It would appear this web stretches across 70,000 residents...
While we all questioned the Mayor's statement at the State of the Village regarding his rubber stamped trustees, he attempted to back peddle at the Village Board Meeting Tuesday night.
Mr. Bob (Robert) Bowen stepped up during audience question time at the meeting, to ask if what the Mayor said at the Village address was true. (The statement Claar made was pertaining to the Trustees NOT being rubber stamped because they discuss the bids/ bills/ etc. ahead of the meeting and work out issues.) Bob Bowen addressed the mayor about the implications about breaking IL Open Door Meeting and Sunshine Acts by discussing these issues behind closed doors.
The Mayor then claimed that these issues are NOT discussed before hand, thus contradicting the story he first told the entire public who viewed the State of the Village.
Therefore, he either lied first, or he is lying now. Either way, this would imply:
1. The Trustees ARE Rubber Stamping and do not discuss the situation prior to their continued passing of bills without even reading them, or
2. The trustees and Mayor would be violating the laws of Illinois and the oaths they took to be in office by discussing the public's business behind closed doors.
Like I tell my kids, one lie leads to another until your caught in a spiderweb of lies. It would appear this web stretches across 70,000 residents...
What is up and comiing...
With Steve Quigley battling to keep his name on the ballot, we are left with the question, whom is running for the election in April. Starting in two weeks, we will be posing the lists of who is running and doing featured stories on the candidates that are the top runners for the elected offices.
During a time of uncertainty in Bolingbrook's high debt future, this event will be the most talked about in the Village. We are anticipating a potential throw to the 22 year regime and hope for the future of Bolingbrook.
We will be covering the election from start to finish. Don't forget to make the Bolingbrook Report your source for local election information!
See you at the polls on April 5!
During a time of uncertainty in Bolingbrook's high debt future, this event will be the most talked about in the Village. We are anticipating a potential throw to the 22 year regime and hope for the future of Bolingbrook.
We will be covering the election from start to finish. Don't forget to make the Bolingbrook Report your source for local election information!
See you at the polls on April 5!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What did the State of the Village cost the tax payers this year?
We would like to tell you, however, the FOIA asking about the costs were denied with a statement regarding the "sponsors" threw the party.
However, if the event was held at the tax payer burdened golf course, there would be expenses, right? Donated time in the hall would cost us money in labor, electric, gas, water, food, beverage etc. Where is that, as it was a part of the FOIA request?
Second of all, Mr. Claar specified that he was donating the "donated price per person" to his favorite charity. (He never did tell the public the name of this organization that received the money). If it was donated, it should have covered expenses prior to Mr. Claar donating anything. (Should the IRS investigate who this money/ pocket this went to?) If there is no paper trail, it would have "disappeared". If there was a trail, it would have been FOIA allowed.
However, if you are like I am... and I think our readers are... you would be asking yourself the following.... If the money made went to Mr. Claar, then how could the "sponsors" pay for things? If they did pay for things, it would have been paid to the village for expenses. So where is that receipt? If there was nothing paid, then why deny the FOIA and give us the cost to the taxpayers? If the sponsors contributed anything, the public has a right to know...
Either way, this is an extreme cover up and all smoke and mirrors. Our best guess is that this event cost the taxpayers about $20,000.00 and all the money paid into the event went to charity instead of the burdened costs...
However, if the event was held at the tax payer burdened golf course, there would be expenses, right? Donated time in the hall would cost us money in labor, electric, gas, water, food, beverage etc. Where is that, as it was a part of the FOIA request?
Second of all, Mr. Claar specified that he was donating the "donated price per person" to his favorite charity. (He never did tell the public the name of this organization that received the money). If it was donated, it should have covered expenses prior to Mr. Claar donating anything. (Should the IRS investigate who this money/ pocket this went to?) If there is no paper trail, it would have "disappeared". If there was a trail, it would have been FOIA allowed.
However, if you are like I am... and I think our readers are... you would be asking yourself the following.... If the money made went to Mr. Claar, then how could the "sponsors" pay for things? If they did pay for things, it would have been paid to the village for expenses. So where is that receipt? If there was nothing paid, then why deny the FOIA and give us the cost to the taxpayers? If the sponsors contributed anything, the public has a right to know...
Either way, this is an extreme cover up and all smoke and mirrors. Our best guess is that this event cost the taxpayers about $20,000.00 and all the money paid into the event went to charity instead of the burdened costs...
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Where are the Financials!
From Bonnie
The fiscal year end financials ended April 2010. Why can't I get them from the Village 10 months later? Why can't the residents have them posted online? How long does it take them to post the numbers for last year so we can see where they have been spending out money? I will keep the residents abreast!
The fiscal year end financials ended April 2010. Why can't I get them from the Village 10 months later? Why can't the residents have them posted online? How long does it take them to post the numbers for last year so we can see where they have been spending out money? I will keep the residents abreast!
Bonnie's Candidacy for Trustee
from Bonnie:
I want to thank the residents for supporting my run for Trustee. As most of you know, I was eliminated from the ballot about a month ago. During this time, I pursued my right to challenge the decision that was made about my residency in the Will County courts.
As a 32 year resident and taxpayer, it was appalling to see Mr. Claar remove me from the ballot because of personal agenda's, two years in a row. The election process in Bolingbrook is not fair, but at least their are qualified candidates that will be running this election season, and which I will be supporting fully.
However, at this time I am withdrawing my candidacy from the Will County Courts in the middle of the battle to regain this spot. It has come to my attention that Mr. Claar has had to hire numerous attorneys to fight me from over turning his decision and costing the tax payers a great deal of money. Since I stand firmly against Mr. Claar's excessive spending habits, I find it disappointing to the residents that he would use so much of their hard earned tax payer money just to ensure I cannot run as a public servant to them.
As many people know, attorneys in Bolingbrook are not cheap. The current attorney's firm makes a million dollars a year. Whereas my attorney only charges minimal regular fees, I am assured that Mr. Claar is paying triple the expense I am to keep me removed.
I am told that this fight could continue long after the election season and spill into another lawsuit about my constitutional rights being stripped by a highly biased board that removed from the ballot. However, this would cost the taxpayers potentially millions of dollars.
In lieu of that, I will be withdrawing my candidacy from the Will County Court Case immediately and stating my intention to run for Mayor in 2013. I will promise to be fair, cut excessive spending, and eliminate corruption. Although I am sure that they will still try to remove me from the ballot next time as well, I will fight to make a difference in Bolingbrook and continue to fight for the people.
Thank you!
I want to thank the residents for supporting my run for Trustee. As most of you know, I was eliminated from the ballot about a month ago. During this time, I pursued my right to challenge the decision that was made about my residency in the Will County courts.
As a 32 year resident and taxpayer, it was appalling to see Mr. Claar remove me from the ballot because of personal agenda's, two years in a row. The election process in Bolingbrook is not fair, but at least their are qualified candidates that will be running this election season, and which I will be supporting fully.
However, at this time I am withdrawing my candidacy from the Will County Courts in the middle of the battle to regain this spot. It has come to my attention that Mr. Claar has had to hire numerous attorneys to fight me from over turning his decision and costing the tax payers a great deal of money. Since I stand firmly against Mr. Claar's excessive spending habits, I find it disappointing to the residents that he would use so much of their hard earned tax payer money just to ensure I cannot run as a public servant to them.
As many people know, attorneys in Bolingbrook are not cheap. The current attorney's firm makes a million dollars a year. Whereas my attorney only charges minimal regular fees, I am assured that Mr. Claar is paying triple the expense I am to keep me removed.
I am told that this fight could continue long after the election season and spill into another lawsuit about my constitutional rights being stripped by a highly biased board that removed from the ballot. However, this would cost the taxpayers potentially millions of dollars.
In lieu of that, I will be withdrawing my candidacy from the Will County Court Case immediately and stating my intention to run for Mayor in 2013. I will promise to be fair, cut excessive spending, and eliminate corruption. Although I am sure that they will still try to remove me from the ballot next time as well, I will fight to make a difference in Bolingbrook and continue to fight for the people.
Thank you!
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Who is Devon Hodges and What has Happened to Him???
It is not often that Valley View District produces a Division One eligible college recruit basketball player by the age of 15. This 6’7, 220 pound lefty has played on many traveling teams, including the D-Wolves All Stars, Full Package Elite, and an international team called Team USA Elite. At least 13 Division 1 schools had shown interest in Hodges the first time around. He transferred from Nequa High his Freshman year to bless the Romeoville High School team with a top notch player that assisted them to success.
Although this article reads like a softer article, typically found on the other Bolingbrook media sites, we do not intend to follow that path. This article is about what this young man had to endure because of alleged coach greed, harassment, political connections, and failure of our school system and school board. We wish we had an ending to this story, but this story continues… Here is this brave young man’s story…
A little over a year ago the financial crisis hit Devon’s family and they had to move. Fortunately, the move to Bolingbrook was a blessing to the family. Devon was in the same school district and could still see his friends. However, the Romeoville coaches were not happy about losing this basketball star and put the pressure on the family. The family countered the coaches, offering if they paid their past due mortgage, he could return. Of course that would not transpire. However, over the span of the last two years, Devon has been harassed and retaliated against by a head basketball coach, athletic director, and some district personnel. According to his mother, she believes that they are out to destroy her son since he could not play ball for them. Which would sound ridiculous to most people, as Devon is not responsible for paying his own mortgage and they did not offer to pay for his.
These individuals according to reports, made this mother show her financials, have attacked the kid’s character, drove past his home multiple times, and even prank called them many, many times. Yes, these are grown individuals I am referring to. The Superintendent had the District Investigator get involved who promised the harassment would stop. The mom has had to involve the State Board of Education and the Police, and it still has not stopped. (The Romeoville Principal could not even return her call). Her complaint, dated 8/10/10 to District Board President Steven Quigley has not been answered.
Devon, who was now a Bolingbrook resident, had an equally hard time entering Bolingbrook High School. A shining star entering a Basketball team with a lead player who was politically connected, could cause some issues. Mr. Mitchem, High School Principal and now Superintendent, has a son on the basketball team. A few individuals in town apparently did not want him to be overshadowed by the new addition to the team when it came to recruiting scouts. Soon enough, scout calls were never returned and when scouts came to see Devon play, the coach would bench him. He was being mistreated by the coach and the players. He was demoted from captain and his starting spot was taken by Mr. Mitchem’s son.
Now, we don’t blame just the coach… according to the Bolingbrook Patch, he was benched for disciplinary actions. So what trouble did this poor boy get into? Romeoville contacted the IHSA and fought the residency status of this young man, and the board cited him for not being a resident, on the sole word of his harassers and stalkers. Mom appealed the decision and the decision was reversed, but not before he missed many games and recruiters.
While he was fighting the residency status, they placed him back into the harasser’s hands, back at Romeoville. A mistake they soon realized when this kid was bullied and harassed the first few weeks. His choice was drop out or get harassed by adults and students, with nobody protecting him while he was in school. After those few days, the district realized they made a mistake putting him in harms way and removed him, back to Bolingbrook.
Per the Acting Superintendent (Mitchem) they were advised to submit all documents to Mr. Hickman in regard to the harassment and retaliation. They did that in the information submitted 11/5/10. However per a 11/22/10 phone conversation with the Acting Superintendent they were advised that he had talked with Mr. Hickman and was advised that Mr. Hickman was aware of the harassment but he was unsure if it was going to be taken under consideration.
Bolingbrook rarely has anyone go to Division One schools or go “pro”. Devon had an opportunity to make Bolingbrook proud. His progress was hindered by greedy, self- centered individuals, that felt it was okay to crush a child, his dreams, and his future. Had it been their child, we doubt it would have happened. We doubt that Mr. Mitchems son did not have recruiters called back or was benched when recruiters came to see him play.
It is a sad day when competition with kids turn into competition with the adults. When adults act like children and the children are forced to act like the adults, we know there is a serious problem. We are proud of Devon for keeping his head high and realizing at such a young age, how much corruption is in this world. As a parent, you hope that your children never have to learn this lesson first hand. In Bolingbrook, it is almost a given…
We promise to follow Devon and look forward to reporting on his progress. We eagerly await a public apology, in writing, to this young man from the Romeoville School officials that caused this teen so much hassle, from the School District for not protecting this teen, which is their responsibility to do, and from the school board for failure to respond, allowing bullying and harassment from adults on school grounds, not interfering to assist Bolingbrook athletes in going “pro” and for failure in general to support this families grievances. We also look forward to seeing the lawsuit documentation.
Don’t forget, vote for new school board members April 5th and help other kids like Devon achieve their goals…
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