2007 Referendum captured $1,527,358 in new revenue over previous year
According to the entire Linzey Jones Administration, the referendum of 2007 was imperative to make up the $600,000 lost with the departure of Sutton Ford and Harold Motors–Chrysler, Jeep, Mazda.(source: 2007 Referendum Newsletter)
FINANCIAL RECORDS DEBUNK DEBRA MEYER-MARTIN'S CLAIM THAT THE VILLAGE HAS NEVER RECOVERED FROM THE DEALERSHIPS DEPARTURE :
NEIGHBORHOOD ALERT
Subject caught on surveillance March 21, 2020 allegedly checking car doors in the vicinity of 207th and Sargent Means. Remember to always lock your doors and report all suspicious activity.
LINCOLN-WAY DISTRICT 210 GETS SECOND CREDIT UPGRADE OF 2019
A property owner’s tax bill will drop by $101 for the owner of a home with a fair market value of $300,000, according to the district.
Analysis: Olympia Fields pays property taxes nearly four times national average South Cook News / November 1, 2018
SD227 Board directs security to physically block ABC Channel 7 and WGN Channel 9 from Public meeting
SD227 Public Meeting September 17, 2019 Rich Central HS
Comments from residents atSept. 17, 2019 Public Meeting
DEBRA MEYERS-MARTIN LIES ABOUT REDUCED BUDGETS AND RAISING TAXES
Source: DEBRA MEYERS-MARTIN 3-26-2017
This despite the fact the Municipal Tax Rate has gone up with every tax levy and nearly doubled since she took office, along with the skyrocketing Village Salaries which have also gone up every year and are public record.
Since 2004, Olympia Fields annual salaries have increased +178% over the consumer price index
WHAT DO MUCH LARGER SUBURBS PAY THEIR VILLAGE MANAGERS
VILLAGE MANAGERS IN OTHER SUBURBS MAKING LESS THAN MEKARSKI
Did the Village Board know about Mekarski’s blemished record at Vero Beach when they hired him?“The parties mutually agree that they will not utter, transmit or print any negative or disparaging comments regarding the other party concerning the employment of Mr. Mekarski.”
Source: CITY OF VERO BEACH, FLORIDA MAY 17, 2005 7:00 P.M.REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MINUTES (Page 3 line 30)
AS OUR MUNICIPAL TAX RATE AND DEBT SOARED, SO DID MEKARSKI’S SALARY
MEKARSKI VILLAGE CONTRACT JULY 8, 2013
2017 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $179,673.00
2016 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $170,439.00
2015 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $166,281.00
2014 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $162,225.20
2013 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $158,269.60
2012 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $155,769.60
2011 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $147,423.36
2010 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $130,855.52
2009 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $129,145.20
2008 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $112,933.36
2007 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $106,471.24
2006 Olympia Fields Mekarski David $59,374.95
source: www.openthebooks.com
UPDATE 3/27/2021 : POLICE INVESTIGATION CONFIRMS DESIREE WATKINS RAMPANT CARJACKING ALLEGATIONS ARE
- Pubic Safety Chairman Kelvin Oliver states that Desiree Watkin's..." has been falsely reporting during her campaign stomps that there has been upwards of 15 of these carjackings"... in Olympia Fields.
- Even though President Burke, with collaboration of Acting Chief Scott Morgan, stated for the record there has only been 3 carjackings; one at the Shell Station at Lincoln Hwy and Western, and two at the Speedway on Vollmer and Crawford, all in 2020; and now the latest on Cumnock makes a total of four; Watkins continued her assertion people were coming to her to report these incidents and she was being “proactive.”
OLYMPIA PLACE DEVELOPMENT
A pedestrian friendly mixed use development providing:
· Entertainment
· Events
· Dining
· Shopping
· Lodging
· Working opportunities
VILLAGE BOARD VOTES "NO" TO PROPOSED DRUG AND ALCOHOL REHAB CENTER
The Village Board of Olympia Fields accepted the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and on Feburaryy 2, 2021, voted to deny the Roseheart Recovery Centers project.
RESIDENT ASSAULTED & CARJACKED IN DRIVEWAY. NO CODE RED ALERT ISSUED
Interim Police Chief Morgan stated that addressing the call in Wysteria, the female came home late at night. She didn’t notice that a car was following her. She stopped in her driveway. She noticed a young man come up on the passenger side of her car. She got out to talk with him. When she got out, a second subject she didn’t see came up behind her and hit her. They both jumped in the car and took off.Interim Police Chief Morgan stated that as far as doing the Code Red, he feels personally that those are things that are happening right now in the Village.
Village Board Meeting Dec. 16, 2019
Package stolen 2 minutes after it was delivered
Video surveillance captures thieves stealing package from porch in the vicinity of 203rd & Kedzie on 11/2/2019 at 4:09pm. Anyone with information regarding the suspect or vehicle in video should contact the Olympia Fields Police immediately. Watch Video
Lincoln Park’s Batter & Berries to open location in Olympia Fields
Raved about online for its food, the highly rated breakfast and brunch spot will soon expand with its first suburban location, scheduled to open in late spring.
SD 227 Enrollment decline prompts staffing review
According to the Illinois State Board of Education, enrollment in District 227 stands at 3,057 this year, down from 4,167 reported in 2009.Might the district consider reducing its number of employees
FOLLOWING SHARP'S REQUEST, 203rd TRAIN STATION TO UNDERGO MAJOR RECONSTRUCTION
Click to view Metra CEO/EXEC Director Jim Derwinski's resolution to SHARP As residents and commuters are aware, the Olympia Fields Station at 203rd St. Has been in a severe state of disrepair for several years. Sharp requested METRA to upgrade this facility by addressing the following issues:1. Not wheel chair accessible.2. Entrance ramp is uncovered from inclement weather, dangerous during the “rush hours”.3. Walls, floor, stairwell and hand rails are in need of refurbishing.4. Water cascades down the stairs to platform, dangerously covering the steps and the floors.5. Inadequate shelters for the large number of “rush hour” riders especially during inclement weather. Riders are forced to stand on the stairs; others often unsuccessfully use the platform shields.We were recently contacted by Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski, informing us that a major renovation of the 203rd St. station has been budgeted for 2023.
3425 Attica
UPDATE: December 8, 2021
John McDonnell states house will be demolished before February 1, 2022
Letter from John McDonnell
UPDATE: At the August 18, 2021 Board Meeting, John McDonnell stated that they are waiting approval from the Historical Preservation Agency. SHARP contacted the Historical Preservation Agency, and was informed that the approval was sent to John McDonnell on August 13, 2021
Letter from Historical Preservation Agency
According to the Cook County Clerk, taxes on this abandoned property have not been paid for over 10 years. This contradicts what Building Commissioner John McDonnel told our Village Board on May 30, 2017. It is allegedly under control of a Land Bank.
Cook County Clerk 3435 Attica
Board Meeting 5-30-2017
July 29, 2021
from John McDonnell, Building Commissioner
Good morning:
Current update for property at 3425 Attica. The Village has received confirmation that the IDHA Strong Communities Program funding has been approved for the 2 projects we have in the Village. The demolition of 3425 Attica is included in these projects.The process to receive the funding approval for demolition is in the early stages of the actual request for demolition. The Village has already sent a request to the State Historic Preservation Agency. (A requirement of the grant). We must obtain approval from them first before proceeding. As soon as we receive approval we will go out for bid for the demolition of the property, (that bid packet is being assembled now), that process will be advertised in the local news paper for bid and bid packets will be available at the Village Hall. We expect to get a letter from the State Historic Preservation Agency between 30 to 60 days. If the State goes into shut down or partial shut down due to Covid that may take longer to get the approval from them.Thanks John
