Last Gasp for Lakewood’s Current Controlling Faction, “the President has Determined that an In-Person Meeting is not Practical or Prudent Because of the Disaster”

To no one’s surprise, the Lakewood Village Board has decided not to hold a meeting where the public will be able to observe and participate in person.

The last meeting I tried to attend (or at least view) was conducted behind drawn window shades at the Lakewood Village Hall’s Police Department ‘s break/interview room.

First comes a budget meeting at 6.

Village of Lakewood

VILLAGE BOARD BUDGET WORKSHOP

Tuesday, April 13th, 2021 6:00 PM

In light of the current COVID-19 public health emergency and Governor J.B.
Pritzker’s Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation in response thereto, the
President has determined that an in-person meeting is not practical or
prudent because of the disaster. Therefore, this meeting will be conducted
remotely via Zoom.

The public can observe and comment, when appropriate, by calling in to participate at 312-626-6799.

In order for a member of the public to be recognized for comments, dial *9 on your telephone at the appropriate times during the meeting.

Members of the public can also attend online by clicking here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84213002189?pwd=bVZsQ2FKWWJFbzFmKy92ZnE3UTJXUT09

Questions may also be forwarded before 5:00pm on March 9, 2021 via email to jsmith@village.lakewood.il.us. Audio recordings are available, after the meeting date, on the website at www.village.lakewood.il.us.
Meeting ID: 842 1300

Budget documents follow the budget meeting notice, but note that many cannot be read without turning one’s computer screen on its side, for example, the following:

Pages 2 through 7 are equally difficult to read.

Each fund is similarly reported.

Sailboats on Crystal Lake. Boat decal going up from $20 to $25.

I did notice from the Lake Patrol Fund that there is a proposed 25% fee increase for hand-powered boats.

Water skiing on Crystal Lake. Fee increasing from $30 to $35.

The increase for motorboats is also $5, from $30 to $35.

At 7 o’clock a regular Village Board meeting begins, same drill: no constituents allowed in the room. As the Agenda below says,

“the President has determined that an in-person meeting is not practical or prudent because of the disaster.”

VILLAGE BOARD MEETING

AGENDA

Tuesday, April 13th, 2021, 7 p.m.

In light of the current COVID-19 public health emergency and Governor J.B.
Pritzker’s Gubernatorial Disaster Proclamation in response thereto, the President has determined that an in-person meeting is not practical or prudent because of the disaster.

Therefore, this meeting will be conducted remotely via Zoom.

The public can observe and comment, when appropriate, by calling in to participate at 312-626-6799.

In order for a member of the public to be recognized for comments, dial *9 on your telephone at the appropriate times during the meeting. Members of the public can also attend online by clicking here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84213002189?pwd=bVZsQ2FKWWJFbzFmKy92ZnE3UTJXUT09

Questions may also be forwarded before 5:00pm on March 9, 2021 via email to jsmith@village.lakewood.il.us.

Audio recordings are available, after the meeting date, on the
website at www.village.lakewood.il.us.

Meeting ID: 842 1300 2189
Passcode: 556409

What popped out of the Agenda was the following:

Motion authorizing investigation of TIF fund.

Some details can be found here.

Paul Serwatka’s 2014 sign hits property taxes, the Tax Increment Financing District and the SportsPlex.

Virtually no one on the current Board was around for the killing of the Tax Increment Financing District initiated by former Village President Paul Serwatka’s write-in campaign for the Trustee.

In the Board packet, which has been posted since Serwatka requested it be so, are pages and pages of financial information presented on their sides.

That really makes it hard to read, let alone read.

Newly-elected Trustee Tricia Babischkin has an analysis of the data here.

The same situation exists for what appears to be every page of a zoning variance for 324 Warwick, the variance for which is recommended be denied.


Comments

Last Gasp for Lakewood’s Current Controlling Faction, “the President has Determined that an In-Person Meeting is not Practical or Prudent Because of the Disaster” — 17 Comments

  1. Phil Stephan is an absolute COWARD.

    I was told he used to be a steroid freak. Perhaps he needs to take a few more. Or maybe the steroids caused his gonads to shrink causing him to be so little and so cowardly.

    He is acknowledging all of his wrongdoings by continuing to hide.

    He knows he is a cowardly bully. His wife and daughter know as well.

    If he had a shred of self esteem he would face the residents and explain his actions and respond to questions.

    The only election he ever won he won by running UNOPPOSED.

    I’ll bet he’s taken down all the mirrors in his house because he can’t even look at himself. As his family probably look to the floor as they walk past him.

    A shameful excuse for a “man”.

  2. Well, it really has been a disaster, now hasn’t it?

    ✌️😎

  3. Berman wanting an investigation is beyond ridiculous.

    Again wasting time, money, and village resources.

    Why do the other board members continue to tolerate him and allow this behavior.

    Brian?

    Pam?

    Your foreseeable silence as always, speaks volumes.

    When are the terms up for these existing board members.

  4. Being that the President sets the agenda, I find the motion to open the tif investigation to be particularly amusing.

    Phil stephan, himself, was present at all meetings and voted in favor of dissolution of the tif as well as issuing the appropriate tif/property tax refunds to respective residents.

    Nothing about this agenda item is legitimate or to be taken serious.

    This is Phil Stephan and his cohorts playing sore loser/cry baby and taking a page right from the Pelosi-Schumer playbook.

    Phil, you are making an even bigger clown out of yourself.

    I certainly hope they don’t forget to name me in this so-called “investigation”.

    I welcome the opportunity to testify or be deposed.

  5. Apparently, one of Phil‘s neighbors is filing for a protective order.

    Jesus Christ can somebody please get this guy a shrink?

  6. Hickory dickory dock
    The purple shit skittle’s a cock
    He put the staff down
    And was run out of town
    With a pile of shit for his crock

  7. May11, agenda

    Motion to terminate TIF investigation

    Motion to terminate fat A$$

    Etc,etc

    Let the mental midget pass whatever.

    Undo it in May

  8. I have to say…thank you Joseph…and (I never thought I’d say so but) thank you Paul.

    This IS a total circus…and there is no bigger clown than Phil.

    Though we (you and I) did not end on good terms, Paul I appreciate you standing up and calling out right vs. wrong.

    Our personal issues aside, you were respectful, kind to and supportive of our Village Employees.

    This “board majority” is about power and destruction and has dismantled our village by destroying / removing 24 employees!!!

    I keep asking “who has naked pictures of who” to warrant this kind of blind and devout allegiance?

    The list of people…trustees, current employees, ex-employees and residents BEGGING to be deposed under oath is very long!!

    So relieved and joyful about the election results!!!

    A new President and 3 new trustees to undo this ball of snakes!

  9. Where is Doug McMahan? Cat got your tongue? Karma is a bitch.

  10. Re: The TIF investigation, given the amount of documents available that suggest the refunds were legally approved and dispersed based on previous board action and Village Ordinance , I believe any public official wanting this to go forward, publicly accuse, or attempt to create suspicion of any current or previous employees when they know no wrong doing occurred could be the beginning of a good civil suit.

    Also, any investigation could easily be undone in a few weeks so I’m really looking forward to the meeting tonight to see if some of those current trustees are really stupid enough to go through with this nonsense.

  11. A few years back, the entire blog was about Mr. Serwatka. (who suddenly skipped town when past court records were brought to light)

    And now you are trying to play the part of the hero.

  12. Hmmm – Bring on the “past court records” you clown!
    The three of you and your little games of false innuendo, intimidation and bullying those not up to defending themselves will not effect me in any way, shape or form.

  13. Why are you so angry Paul?

    And by the way – The number of people shot in my home equals zero

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