Calls Jones “bitter and petty”
SOUTH HOLLAND, Ill. (July 25, 2023) – The Thornton Township Board met on Tuesday, July 18. At the meeting, Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones.
Agenda and approvals
The meeting, scheduled to start at 6 p.m., was called to order at 6:15. All township trustees were present with Trustee Carmen Carlisle joining by phone.
- Approval of General Fund
- Passed with Trustee Jones, Trustee Gray-Everett, Trustee Carlisle, and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; and Trustee Gonzalez voting no
- Approval of General Assistance Fund
- Passed with Trustee Jones, Trustee Gray-Everett, Trustee Carlisle, and Supervisor Henyard voting yes; and Trustee Gonzalez voting no
- Approval of Road and Bridge Fund
- Passed with Trustee Jones, Trustee Gray-Everett, Trustee Carlisle, Trustee Gonzalez, and Supervisor Henyard voting yes
Supervisor Report
Supervisor Henyard shared recent events held by the Township, including Days In The Park held in different parts of the township, senior tech classes, youth summit, and big bingo.
“Our goal as a whole is to make sure we give services and create things that you truly need,” said Henyard.
One event the Township hosted was a steppers event on July 9, held at Green Lake Forest Preserve in Calumet City. According to Henyard, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle called the event the “world’s largest stepper set in the state of Illinois.”
Henyard called out Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones for not allowing event attendees to park in the old Sears parking lot. Sears was part of the River Oaks Shopping Center directly across the street from Green Lake Forest Preserve. The lot is owned by Calumet City.
“It’s unfortunate that your mayor, Thaddeus Jones, did not allow you guys to park in the old Sears parking lot during the steppers set,” said Henyard.
She voiced disapproval of Jones’ use of resources and called his motives into question. “He did wasteful spending when it came to using the police department, people like that, to block off a vacant lot, to be bitter and petty to the Township because he is not the Supervisor of Thornton Township,” said Henyard.
“That’s what I will not tolerate, men bullying women. I am a young African American woman. I am someone’s mom, someone’s daughter, so you should treat me like you would want your loved one to be treated, and I don’t appreciate that,” said Henyard.
Henyard stated that guests of the Steppers set were allowed to park in the parking lot of the closed Cinema 8, with approval from Lansing Mayor Patty Eidam and her board.
Upcoming events
- July 28 – Harvey Days In The Park
- August 2 – Glenwood Days In The Park
- August 4 – Lansing Days In The Park
- August 19 – Illinois State Fair Appreciation Picnic
- August 26 – Taste of Thornton Township
Details for each Township event can be found on the Thornton Township event page. Information about the Illinois State Fair can be found on the state of Illinois website.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:49 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for August 15, 2023. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. at Thornton Township Hall, 333 East 162nd Street, South Holland.
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Maybe the real issue that they should be talking about is why are there so many closed businesses in the area for people to park their cars at?
Both of these political officials are petty. FOX 32 highlighted Henyard’s misuse of public funds, which is unacceptable, but Jones is no better. If you review past council meeting agendas for example, city taxpayers have had to pay twice for funeral expenses totaling $10K (no reasons for whom or why given), and will be paying for frivolous events like a “senior prom” that is upwards of $30K to one particular event hall with a poorly agreed upon contract (does he have a connection?).
Also, other local towns host concert events where a small fee is required to attend. Food trucks are also available for food and beverage purchases. But what does Jones do? He offers a weekly Jazz event with FREE food and admission in the PARKING LOT of the library. Most of the vehicle stickers that crowd the residential streets do not belong to Calumet City residents, but other neighboring towns. This is a waste of money and a weekly parking and noise nuisance to the residents in that ward.
Numerous other recent events have been held at the library as well. It is not an appropriate venue and is likely done for two reasons: one, the alderwoman of the ward has been critical of Jones many times, and he likely does this out of spite; and two, it is the safest location in the city.
Taxpayers from the city and the township need to get actively involved in meetings, raise questions, and hold these “officials” accountable for their wasteful spending. The events are costly and the limited taxpayer funds should be spent on public safety, attracting businesses, improving school districts, and enforcing ordinances.