A Fiery Village Board Meeting in Dolton, Illinois
Trustees Reject Police Chief Pick, Village in Financial Crisis
A village board meeting in Dolton, Illinois, turned into a fiery and dramatic affair on Wednesday night, with several key developments that left residents stunned. The meeting, held at the Dolton Park District building, was the first time the entire board of trustees, including Mayor Tiffany Henyard, had been in the same room for a whole meeting in months.
Police Chief Pick Rejected
The meeting began with a controversial topic: the village’s pick for police chief, Ronnie Burge Sr., which was rejected by the board of trustees. Henyard had previously appointed Burge without board approval, but a court blocked the decision. Although the board voted down the appointment, Burge can still serve temporarily for a 30-day period.
Village in Financial Crisis
Trustees also revealed that the village is facing severe financial constraints, with some departments unable to afford basic office supplies, such as printer paper. This news came as a shock to many residents, who are already struggling to make ends meet.
Luxury SUVs and Training Costs
The village’s decision to lease three luxury SUVs for Henyard’s use, which cost residents over $374,000, was also revisited. Despite the high cost, Henyard vowed to veto the decision to return the SUVs. However, trustees agreed to return the vehicles, and Henyard criticized a trustee who spent $619 on training, implying that the cost was excessive.
Accusations and Confrontations
During public comment, a former Henyard aide, who had accused trustee Andrew Holmes of an alleged sexual assault on a taxpayer-funded trip to Las Vegas, confronted him publicly. The woman’s allegations were investigated by Las Vegas police, who closed the case without charging Holmes. Holmes did not respond to her accusations during the meeting, but later told WGN-TV that he wanted to respond, but was advised not to by his attorneys.
Mayoral Reelection Bid
Despite the drama-filled meeting, Henyard announced that she would be running for reelection and predicted a landslide victory, drawing parallels with President-elect Donald Trump. “Just like Trump, I’m gonna come in on a landslide,” she said. However, she did not provide a timeline for a town hall meeting to answer questions from residents.
Conclusion
The village board meeting in Dolton, Illinois, was a dramatic and intense affair, with several key developments that left residents stunned. The village’s financial crisis, disagreements over public officials’ expenses, and personal accusations made for a fiery and confrontational atmosphere. As the mayor seeks reelection, her promise of a landslide victory remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the village of Dolton will be closely watching her leadership in the coming months.
FAQs
* When is the next town hall meeting to answer questions from residents?
No date has been set for the town hall meeting.
* Will the village be able to afford basic office supplies?
The village is currently facing financial constraints and some departments may struggle to afford basic supplies.
* What is the current status of the police chief appointment?
The board of trustees rejected the appointment, but Burge can still serve temporarily for a 30-day period.
