Serwatka Critical of Metropolitan Mayors Caucus

Letter to Local Mayors Describes Leftist Agenda

Lakewood President Paul Serwatka sent following letter to Dave Bennett, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus after receiving an email with the subject “Gun Dealer Licensing Legislation.”

The following local government leaders were also sent a copy:

Mayor Henley of Volo
Mayor Jett of McHenry
Mayor Kelly of Harvard
Mayor Koziol of Marengo
Mayor Sager of Woodstock
Mayor Schmit of Fox Lake
Algonquin President Schmitt
Barrington Hills President McLaughlin
Bull Valley President Berendt
Hebron President Martinez
Holiday Hills President French
Huntley President Sass
Johnsburg President Hettermann
Lake in the Hills President Ruzanski
Lakemoor President Weihofen
McCullom Lake President Shepit
Oakwood Hills Acting President Paul Smith
Prairie Grove President Robak
Richmond President Kunz
Ringwood President Mack
Spring Grove President Eisenberg
Trout Valley President Baker
Union President Wagner
Wonder Lake President Topf

It is printed here with Paul’s permission:

 

Mr. Bennett and Members of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus:

I have been a member of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus for nearly a year now, since taking office in May of 2017. I can’t help but feel compelled to share that in the short time I have been receiving your communications and “calls to action” I have become quite disenfranchised with this Caucus and it’s apparent purpose.

From what I have gathered from the communications I have received over the last 11 months, the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus serves only as either a leveraging tool to assist in the bidding of Rahm Emmanuel and the abhorrent policies which have made Chicago the premier example of how NOT to govern, or this caucus is simply a progressive initiative to promote progressive agendas throughout the municipalities of Illinois.

Am I wrong in this assessment? Am I alone in this sentiment?

Village of Lakewood President Paul Serwatka

If my assessment of this caucus is not accurate, I sincerely welcome the opportunity to learn of any efforts by this caucus or any information you may have to the contrary, that I may not have been alerted to, in my short time as a member of this caucus.

In my 11 months as a member of this caucus, I have received a number of “calls to action” to join Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and to support his initiatives.

A few examples of the initiatives that I have been called to support are:

– To pass a Resolution in our village in support of DACA and providing a pathway to citizenship (and, of course, free college, etc) for “Dreamers”.

– To pen a letter to Governor Rauner supporting the same.

– To pen a letter to the Governor asking him to sign legislation imposing gun control measures and undue/inequitable licensing on certain Firearm dealers.

– To pass a number of “Green” and “Sustainable” Resolutions in our village.

– To support a number of “Green” and “sustainable” initiatives.

In 2013 Rahm Emmanuel wanted then new U.S. Attorney Zach Fardon to make gun control his top priority, rather than political corruption.

Relevant to the above subject matter, I have not seen, nor do I expect to at this point, any attempt at a concerted effort to encourage state legislators to pass legislation that provides for the REAL protection of our children and our schools, e.g., allowing teachers to be trained and equipped to protect themselves and our children in schools, or to provide other means of legitimate “on-sight” armed protection in our schools.

That said, I await this caucus to take action on issues that are truly and abundantly pertinent in our, now dreadful, state – the issues that are causing the historic mass-exodus of both business and residents from our, once great, state.

I call on the members of this caucus to band together and pass MEANINGFUL resolutions, to pen MEANINGFUL letters and hold MEANINGFUL conferences supporting and encouraging critical policies – the implementation of which could very legitimately save Illinois from the impending collapse that we all know is nearly a certainty at this point!

I call on the members of this caucus to come together and forge sincere initiatives addressing issues including:

– State legislation amending the Illinois Constitution with provisions for MUCH needed pension reform (This is only the single biggest, most devastating issue we face in Illinois!)

– Ending Prevailing Wage Laws which force our municipalities to pay exorbitantly inflated costs for public projects, further increasing overburdened taxpayers, while serving only to enrich and further empower certain legislators and upper echelon union bosses, while masquerading as a means to provide a livable wage for union workers, who are also overburdened with exorbitant taxes.

– Enact “Right to Work” legislation to, both, truly protect workers who do not wish to participate in collective bargaining agreements, yet are forced to pay for them – and to help Illinois businesses to compete with businesses in the 28 states that have enacted right-to-work legislation and continue to benefit from Illinois’ inability to compete.

– Enact legislation for equitable school funding rather than continuing to over-tax collar counties in order to unfairly continue subsidizing CPS and down-state districts.

I know there are a number who will take exception with my words here.  Many will role their eyes and chuckle… But, for the few who may actually be sincere about “doing good”, “serving their communities” “making a better place” and all the other tired cliches that we all repeat. I encourage you to step up, speak out, be truthful, and let’s start working on some truly meaningful initiatives.

I welcome all replies!

Paul D. Serwatka
Overburdened Taxpayer
Frustrated Illinois Resident
President – Village of Lakewood


Comments

Serwatka Critical of Metropolitan Mayors Caucus — 33 Comments

  1. “I have not seen, nor do I expect to at this point, any attempt at a concerted effort to encourage state legislators to pass legislation that provides for the REAL protection of our children and our schools, e.g., allowing teachers to be trained and equipped to protect themselves and our children in schools…” Our McHenry county area mayor parroting the newest right-wing tactic of deflection from the gun violence root cause. This is the same blog in which sunshine commenters constantly trash public school teachers but somehow find the idea of arming teachers very appealing. We know these gun nitwits all too well. They do not fool anybody here; that unless you belong to the ever diminishing army of God-fearing, gun-clinging, pro-life, family-values compassionate conservative nation. Stay tuned…tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock, meow, meeeoooowwwww…

  2. From the website of the Mayor’s Caucus I found under the tab “Initiatives” a sub-tab “Diversity”. It stated:

    “Immigrant Integration Efforts
    The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has partnered with the Latino Policy Forum and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to develop the Immigration Integration Toolkit, a resource that will guide member municipalities who want to be active in immigrant integration activities. This project is a part of CMAP’s Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program.”

    How ironic that under the subject “Diversity” there is NO indication of diversity at the top level of planning. There are legal immigrants coming into our Nation from countries around the world besides Latinos. Where is the diversity to represent immigrants besides those from the Latino nations? What about representation for legal immigrants from European, Middle-East, Far East, Pacific Rim and African regions?

  3. The shooter in Florida would have been denied the purchase of a gun if for not a ridiculous policy adopted by some school districts in Florida. That was the Promise Policy promulgated by the inept President Obama and his equally inept AG Holder. The policy prevented school authorities from calling the police when students such as the shooter did mischief in the schools. Without the dumb Promise program, the shooter would have had a police record and the gun dealer would have denied the purchase of the gun. This is but another example of how an inept president such as Obama and his equally inept Administration can cause harmful and lasting effects on our nation.

  4. Bravo! Bravo! Our compassionate conservative, cyber grammar chief patroller finally comes around to support diversity unconditionally. This sunshine blog is slowly becoming a beacon of how to embrace minorities, immigrants, and the poor. Thank you sunshine blogger. We owe you an immense debt of gratitude. You deserve a free lunch of enchiladas, tamales, quesadillas, pico de gallo, arroz con gandules, pasteles, morcillas, patitas de cerdo, cuchifritos, empanadillas, and many more from our delicious variety of exquisite Latino cuisine (no cat meat, of course). Stay tuned…tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock, meow, meeeoooowwwww…

  5. See how deflection works? Now Barack Obama is to blame for mass shootings. Remember the gun control proposal Obama presented to Congress on 2012 after the Sandy Hook elementary school slaughter of 20 first graders and 6 staff? Yep! The one shut down by nra (lower case intended) bought republican politicians in Congress, while crying President Obama intended to take away guns from law abiding citizens. These sunshine compassionate conservatives are shameless; but we know them all too well and do not fool anybody here with their old fashioned distraction tactics. Keep trying deflection. We are pleased to see a new generation of millennials rising up and heading to the polls in numbers never anticipated, which scares the living daylights out of our compassionate conservative brothers and sisters. In the meantime, lean forward and hear the whisper. This blue wave is overwhelming, and unstoppable. Repeat with me: Speaker Pelosi, Speaker Pelosi, Speaker Pelosi. Stay tuned…tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock…

  6. Good work Paul…..I just wonder how many Mayors are following suggestions given by the Mayors caucus…I have noticed some of these creeping into Harvard’s agendas…..thanks for the Heads up

  7. Good letter Paul.

    All four of your recommendations need immediate attention.

    Rants about supporting violations to federal law will not solve the Illinois fiscal problems.

    Just one extra point, the practice of issuing ‘super’ section 8 vouchers to people wanting to escape the Chicago ‘shitholes’ may be humanitarian but unfortunately the ‘shitholes’ still appear to be growing.

    Forcing judges to adhere to the law and to issue sentences commensurate with the crime will greatly assist in reducing the size of the ‘shitholes’ in Chicago and surrounding communities.

    The Metropolitan Mayor’s Caucus’s highlighted initiatives to promote ‘social justice’ will only fuel the ‘shithole’ growing virus.

  8. Power corrupts,
    absolute power corrupts absolutely.

    So goes the once great state of Illinois,
    never to return to it’s once great status.

    Thanks for the effort Paul, but we fear that it’s already
    too late for any meaningful redemption and this is why
    the Great Exodus will continue.

    Vote for Ives, our best last chance to buy us enough time to escape
    this DEMOCRAT/Progressive Hellhole.

  9. What are the mayors doing about panhandlers bothering law abiding citizens, including young women, in business/downtown districts such as in Woodstock?

  10. Why are towns using taxpayer funds to hire lobbyists?

    Is there a complete list of members?

  11. Good question, Bred!
    Great letter, Paul. Also appreciate you bringing this trash from the mayors caucus to light. They seem to want mayors to ignore the very thing that makes America exceptional, our Constitution.

  12. It’s good to see one pol understanding, that “doing good” crap, all these Illinois Pols babble about.

    Is the biggest self-flattering lie these nitwits tell themselves.

  13. Out of Towner, you sound like a naughty little boy reveling in using a forbidden word shithole three times and putting it in quotes so we don’t miss it…or we’re you just meaning to give credit to our “esteemed” president for his constant use of disgusting words in his “elouquent” tweets?

    It sure takes away from supporting some of Paul’s points that had validity.

  14. Serwatka’s points are right on target. As are his characterizations of the politicians in our County. They all talk of serving their Community, giving something back and making the community a better place, but all we ever get from the far majority, is more of the same. Run-of-the-mill, garden-variety, vanilla, business-as-usual politics.

    Paul, none of those characterizations can be said about you. I will definitely give you that.

    Keep Rocking the Boat and keep them status quo pols on edge!

  15. WATCH 1940, you sure miss the point then by holding onto these frivilous high horse critisisms. Let’s hope there are smarter people than you to anylize and critique politician’s performances.

  16. Serwatka for President!

    Progressive should be set off in commas, like this “progressive” bc these Marxists and LGBTQ commissars are not ‘progressive’ in the normal meaning of that word. Actually they are ‘regressive’ because they warp democracy into meaning the very few degenerates, perverts, communists, etc., ruling over the masses who overwhelmingly refute their agenda. That’s why the gay agenda had to be judicially impossed upon the people, because all their sick referenda were failing at the voting booth.

  17. Dear overburdened taxpayer, frustrated Illinois resident, skilled sunshine commenter, and prospective GQ magazine cover model: Please forward your letter to all major news outlets in our great state of Illinois, and wait for replies. Oh, wait! No news organization could potentially reach more readers and commenters than our glorious McHenry county sunshine blog. My bad. Golf anyone? Stay tuned…tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock…

  18. Oh, Cecile, I’m mortally wounded by your clever put down. Your opinion means so much to me I’ll probably never be able to express my opinion again! Not.

  19. Serwatka is right on, correct with his comment that sensible Americans agree with:

    “Relevant to the above subject matter, I have not seen, nor do I expect to at this point, any attempt at a concerted effort to encourage state legislators to pass legislation that provides for the REAL protection of our children and our schools, e.g., allowing teachers to be trained and equipped to protect themselves and our children in schools, or to provide other means of legitimate “on-sight” armed protection in our schools.”
    ,
    The mostly left wing media, including many here in the Chicago area, have an agenda of anti-carry, anti-Trump, anti-NRA, anti-hunter, anti-self protection. They are REALLY the enemies of law abiding Americans. They are in sync with the major left wing media including one cable news outlet proclaiming to be very trusted.

    That latter media outlet chose to NOT broadcast the live meeting of Trump and the governors at the White House within the last few weeks on the subject of the Florida shooting. However, the Fair and Balanced cable news network covered the entire meeting.

    The so-called very trusted news outlet chose to only show a clip of the Washington State Governor criticizing Trump for supporting properly licensed and trained school personnel having concealed carry. This so-called most trusted news organ specifically chose to quash and not show the remarks of the Governors of Texas and Arkansas who stated that their States have structured documented programs to have trained concealed carry personnel in their schools.

    Folks, most of the media, tv, radio, newspapers simply cannot be trusted. They have an agenda and are biased.

  20. Kudos to you Mr. Serwatka.

    believe your assessment of this agenda of this caucus is exactly as you suspect. I also believe you very accurately enumerated four of the very pinnacle issues that need to be addressed in our state, although as stated I, too, believe the demise of this state is at this point almost a certainty.

    But, more to the point in my opinion, is calling attention to this caucus and their efforts toward these obvious leftist objectives.

    I do not live in Lakewood but I have enthusiastically followed your efforts and always look forward to your communications nonetheless. We need more local leaders to follow in your footsteps.

  21. Compassionate conservatives: Just imagine the following statement coming from our sexual-assaulter-in-chief: “Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of assault weapons entering the United States until our country’s representatives can figure out what the hell is going on.” What a difference a word makes…tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock, meeeoooowwwww…

  22. Spot on the MMC and other municipal organizations are always looking for more unfunded mandates, ways to grow government and raise taxes on the sheeple of IL. No thank you

  23. Yes Paul, I rolled my eyes and chuckled. If you are so against this caucus, why are you still a member? And with regards to your desired initiatives – why are you not engaged in this caucus and making these suggestions directly? I think your ideas are swell, what I am really interested in Paul is how are you going to actually do any of those things? Or is this just your daily dose of Paul and Preacher and his minions of doom?

    If I could only capture half of the hot air coming out of your town/your office I could solve the country’s energy problem.

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