Mayor Has 'Unfriended' Oak Lawn Taxpayers With Legal Battle Against Firefighters: Streit

Oak Lawn Trustee Bob Streit, Dist. 3

Ever notice how some people frequently say one thing while doing another? Well, have you taken a close look at Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury lately?

In a recent Southtown article (June 1, 2016) the Mayor, responding to inquiries about the village’s settlement with a former employee who sued the village, stated that she decided to settle the issue in an effort to “save taxpayers money by avoiding the expense of prolonged litigation.”

Saving taxpayers money by avoiding litigation? Really, Mayor? If your actions ever really lived up to your stated values, Oak Lawn taxpayers would truly benefit.

But what about your and Village Manager Larry Deetjen’s legal campaign against Oak Lawn’s Fire Department? You have repeatedly gone to court asking that the village be allowed to break the contract they entered into in good faith with the firefighters union and each time the courts of Illinois ruled against you and in favor of the union.

For more than three years you and the village manager instructed village attorneys to disregard court rulings and pursue, or what was the word you used, “prolong” this legal battle with no concern for taxpayers in this instance.

The total cost of attorney fees expended on your personal feud with the fire department is not clear – since you and the village manager have repeatedly declined to provide full and complete disclosure.

What we do know is that village taxpayers are, to date, on the hook for over a million dollars in legal fees in this case alone, with a promise that that number will only increase since you refuse to end your senseless legal wrangling.

Mayor Bury, what’s behind the motivation to settle one suit against the village for ten thousand dollars, claiming you want to save taxpayer’s money, while continuing to prolong another legal battle costing us millions?

Actions, speak louder than words, Mayor Bury and your actions clearly communicate that you’re one of those politicians who say one thing and do another.

You have completely “un-friended” the taxpayers of Oak Lawn and you owe each of us an explanation.

Submitted by Oak Lawn Trustee Bob Streit