Did You Know?
You should know! Where did we get this information?
The information we have provided was pulled directly from the village of Lily Lakes website and the Village of Lily Lakes now discontinued face book page, we have supporting documents and direct links to substantiate this information, we have spoken to the gas station owners, the heads of multiple trucking companies and the highest ranking officials from the surrounding local communities, We have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support during this journey to bring you the truth. And we thank you for that! In addition, We have spoken to land owners and homeowners alike to bring you this accurate and truthful information as we found it, to help you decide who are in fact is the best candidates to represent "We the people" of Lily Lake.
Please note. We did the work, here is where we provide the introduction of the issue's and the conclusion of our findings. This site is an educational platform. The information is vast and it will take only take a small amount time to navigate and to verify the information.
You asked questions and wanted answers.
Here is what we know
As 1 of the 5 write-ins, I have been asked personally to comment on several issues. This statement represents the 5 of us. First, let us start with apologizing for the delay in this response. We have been very busy working on our campaign to bring you the information you need to make an informative decision in a timely fashion. Some of you have visited our website at votelilylake.com. You should have received the mailers. We are hoping that you have seen the temporary signage posted throughout the Village. It didn’t last long!
This information guides you to our website and inform you, the great people of Lily Lake, of our objective and to bring just a few of the issues we have with the current administration and to answer your questions..
We address some of the issues we discovered or experienced first hand, past election results and voter turnout, and to inform you to the several options for casting your vote so that we can all work together.
It is our hope that we can increase voter turnout from 32% in 2019 to 100% in 2023. And our strategy is non-typical.
Elect the 5-write-ins. Here is where you will see, as I have stated, that we have much bigger issues than the corner gas station.
Here we will address your questions to the following by clicking ‘Did you Know” on the navigation bar at. votelilylake.com
DID YOU KNOW!
- Election interference in 2017 and 2019
- Who is running and how they got here
- We all know who is running the village.
- Desperate times calls for desperate measures
- Conflict Of Interest.
- Affordable Housing better known as low income housing.
- HOAS 4.9 % tax levy every year until 2036
- Public hearing chaos
- Where do we go from here?
Who is running and how did they get here.
Here is what we know
The sitting President and 2 Trustees are stepping down, leaving 5 positions to vote on. 1 for President and 3 for Trustee in a 4year term and 1 for the 2 year term. Nobody is on the ballot for the The 2 year trustee position , they are both write -in candidate. 1 of them being on our team William Wykle. The remaining 4 on opposing sides are all new to the position he or she seeks. The current folks on the ballot were hand selected by the current administration that will support their personal views on how the Village should be run and “NOT” that of the people.
We the people came together and formed a team,
So.. in fact there are 5 positions to be filled. The difference in the opposing sides, We the 5 write-ins are responsible business professionals. The others are not!
We want to change the way business is handled. Our hope is to bring to light the truth on how the Village is currently being managed, and we will continue to do so until Election Day.
Should you decide to vote for them.
Then it will be “business as usual”
Election Interference 2017 and 2019
Visiting the Village Facebook site, Friends of Lily Lake, you will need to scroll and view comments.
In 2019 Mr. Overstreet, who was running for Village President, he won with 161 votes. The Village owned a Facebook page called “Friends of Lily Lake” It had 169 followers right before the election in 2019 Friends of Lily Lake That’s right. All but 8 followers on the Village Facebook page appear to vote for Mr. Overstreet. This page was created right before the previous election by the Village Clerk on March 25, 2017. During this election, Mr. Overstreet received 144 votes.
This is the site where the front page clearly shows the link to the official Villageoflilylake.org website Yes, they directed you right to the candidates they wanted sitting in the office. That is not how a fair and balanced election works. In a Village of 900 registered voters, everyone should be in the know.
Is this a coincidence? No. This was direct election interference by the individual who created the page, the Village Clerk. And the other officials who allowed it to happen! Check out the actual end results for all the candidates on votelilylake.com for the past 3 elections. This information was taken directly from the Kane County clerk’s website. The Facebook link on the front page of the village website now directs you to the nextdoor.com and not the original face book page
Now to her credit? In the past election, on the Facebook page, she did create a post on March 25, 2019 “informing the public” of an open forum to meet all of the candidates on the ballot. The meeting took place at the Village hall on March 28, 2019 giving a 3 day notice. We spoke to the candidates that lost. They were never informed of this meeting
She then posted this to Friends of Lily Lake :
This is a direct quote from the FB page friends of Lily Lake and was posted on the same day, March 28, 2019, following the open forum:
“It's a shame only 3 of the 6 candidates showed up for the meet last week. The Village Hall was full of Lily Lake Residents looking for answers about info they have been getting at their doors and on their mailboxes but those candidates were not there to answer those questions. Thank you to Rick Overstreet, Mary Damisch and Michael Florian for coming out and taking the time to answer questions.”:
Here is a quote from Jesse, the Village Clerk from the 2017 election, regarding missing signs.
“I would like to ask you once again to please remember to vote for Lily Lake tomorrow, it is so important!
I also want to update you and ask if anyone has seen anything to please notify the Kane County Sheriff's Department.
Several signs have been taken from people's yards and a large banner has been cut down. This has been reported to the Sheriff, so they are looking for any concerned citizen to please come forward.
I love Lily Lake but this makes me so sad that a small election in Lily Lake can turn to this.
I'm sure it is easy to tell what candidates signs are turning up missing.
I'm proud to say Rick, Tim, Craig and I all love our little village and are proud to serve and volunteer for our community.
Thank you & please vote. I a Village this small every vote will matter tomorrow!”
Now on to the 2023 election regarding political signage .
The Village Clerk has once again ordered the removal of the oppositions signs from the Village public and private properties, not just ROWS, just like she did in 2017.
One of our candidates spoke with the individual who removed the signs. He stated that he was instructed to remove all of the signs. Even those that were not on public property! All at the direction of the Village Clerk, Jesse Heffernan. They removed many and only returned 6
Truth is, and we have video to prove it, this individual that Jesse Heffernan hired was trespassing on multiple private properties , meaning..without the consent of the owner. This was theft. at the direction of the clerk. In addition we have pics of multiple private properties with sign locations clearly following the zoning ordinance guidelines.
We All Know Who Is Running The Village!
Interference in the 2023 Election
On March 8, 2023 the Village Clerk contacted the inspector to come out and remove our signs.. We reached out to the inspector. He informed us that Jesse Heffernan called him and instructed him to remove every campaign sign. This company she hired, B and F Construction Code Services, was paid $26,045.46 last year alone and in 2020 in the amount of $260,598.35 for inspections, citations , sign removal etc.etc all at the request of the Village Clerk. This is how she spends your money!
Later that same day she used the missing persons report and the recent residential break-in to facilitate her further attempt to maintain the one sided support by the Village for the candidates that appear on the ballot. The clerk posted that a solicitation form would need to be submitted by any individual wishing to approach a resident’s home to speak with them. And would require the signature of the Village Clerk. The reason for this is to create an obstacle for the 5 write-ins wanting to meet the Village residents face to face. We believe that most of us feel that her using the recent unfortunate events that have occurred in the area as a segue for this message, and it is downright shameful and a direct attempt to alter the outcome of the election, better known as corruption of an up and coming election.
This was all posted on the Village’s newest social media platform, Nextdoor. This new platform has replaced the Facebook tool Friends of Lily Lake by the village clerk,. And know she is having to work double-time to organize the candidates on the ballot for 2023. Except know she relies on Next door for all village communications.
Https://nextdoor.com/p/NgBHwY--MjdD?utm_source=share&extras=ODEyNzM4MDg%3D
When she discovered we were running, she shut down the direct link to the FB page and sent it Next Door, we watched it happen. Check the village site.
Now we do expect that she will take this down as soon as she reads this.
Desperate times call for desperate measures
Heres what we know
We reached out to the Village President, Mr. Overstreet, in writing asking for the Village’s help in arranging an open forum between the residents of Lily Lake and all of the candidates. Both those that appear on the ballot and the 5 write-ins. Mr. Overstreet responded in writing, that the Village was not able to do so, as the Village needs to remain impartial. We respect this decision, if in fact it was true. I then proceeded to reach out to one of the new candidates who appears on the ballot to suggest holding an open forum. I have yet to receive a reply.
Mr. Sennett,
In response to your letter, the Village will not be sponsoring a candidate forum. Candidate forums are usually sponsored by some nonprofit organization. You could ask the local PTA, the local League of Women Voters or some other nonprofit organization as to whether they want to sponsor a candidate forum. It should be sponsored by a nonprofit organization in order to keep it fair and nonpartisan. Every candidate should be invited to attend and there should be some rules on how much time each one gets so everybody is treated equally.
In response to your verbal request to list the candidate names on the front page of the official Village website, there is no known precedent of the villageoflilylake.org website having a front page listing of any candidate for office, and there is no intent on changing that for this election. If you are able to arrange a candidate forum with all candidates invited, we will try to add that event to Village website. Please advise of the time and place for the candidate forum if you get one scheduled.
Good luck with the upcoming election.
Rick Overstreet
Lily Lake Village President
630-365-9677
Mr Overstreet’s statement above ‘does not’ reflect the village administrations view in the 2017 and 2019 elections.
And I quote:
“In response to your verbal request to list the candidate names on the front page of the official Village website, there is no known precedent of the villageoflilylake.org website having a front page listing of any candidate for office, and there is no intent on changing that for this election”
Except for when he was running..WELL, NOW WE ALL KNOW THATS NOT TRUE!
Check out Friends of Lily Lakes Facebook page
Here Is what we know .
Conflict Of Interest
Those sworn into office for the Village are required to sign a Statement of Ethics/Ethics Agreement. By signing this agreement, a member agrees to perform their official duties for the sole benefit of the Village and its citizens. This includes avoiding any situation where their private pecuniary interests would impair their ability to serve as an impartial member of the Village. As such, this Administration and this individual should have held themselves to a higher level of professionalism. This individual should have not been allowed to accept a position on the Planning Commission. Allowing this type of business behind closed doors is unacceptable and unethical.
On November 5, 2018, a new member was sworn into the public office on the Planning Commission. In addition to their role in this public office, this individual is an owner/operator and serves as President of a local contractor who received a combined total of $371,523.55 in contract work from 2019 – 2022 from the Village of Lily Lake since taking the oath of office.
To view the supporting documents offering evidence to this claim. View the home page. This information was discovered on the Village Of Lily Lakes website.
Below is the Code of Federal Regulation 3.101-1 General as it appears on the Code of Federal Regulations website addressing this subject.
3.101-1 General.
Government business shall be conducted in a manner above reproach and, except as authorized by statute or regulation, with complete impartiality and with preferential treatment for none. Transactions relating to the expenditure of public funds require the highest degree of public trust and an impeccable standard of conduct. The general rule is to avoid strictly any conflict of interest or even the appearance of a conflict of interest in Government-contractor relationships. While many Federal laws and regulations place restrictions on the actions of Government personnel, their official conduct must, in addition, be such that they would have no reluctance to make a full public disclosure of their actions.
This is just one of many items that we address on our website which are all substantiated by supporting documents.
Affordable Housing better known as Low Income Housing.
There were residents at the hearing that wanted answers.
This is an excerpt from 2021 land use plan that was approved by the village on April 26 2021
The Village AHPA Plan Various affordable housing configurations were investigated and it was determined that zoning remediation best addressed the plan. Elective rezoning of parcels within the commercially zoned areas would provide redevelopment and housing for future residents. Likewise, the village plan will become a component of the revised Lily Lake Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The plan offers development options to existing land use, in particular to discourage and perhaps eliminate existing B2 land use. Parcels presently zoned B1 and B2 will have the alternative to be rezoned as R2/B1 suited for mixed business and higher density residential land use. Development may also opt to propose consolidating adjacent parcels that include business and residential to encourage redevelopment. 1. New Development through Rezoning The total land area available to the Plan is approximately 27 acres, boundedby the east and west limits of Route 64 and light commercially zoned areas immediately adjacent to Route 64 along Route 47. B1 and B2 land parcels may optionally be rezoned to R2/B1 whereby combined business and residential may be developed. Mixed-use is anticipated to improve the real estate climate and encourage new development. Building heights will be limited to two stories and a maximum of six dwelling units per building limited by the feasibility of water and septic service and facilities design. 2. Projected AHPA Timeline for the Village Per AHPA requirements, the village will need to plan for a minimum of 18 additional affordable housing units. The projected timeline is five to seven years for approximately nine housing units with additional housing units being available in seven to 10 years given improving economic conditions.
The question is, would you rather have businesses that provide revenue and amenities to the Village? Or, would you rather have low income housing? There is only some much land within the Village boundaries and they are trying to take it away from the current B1 and B2 commercial landowners. and they did this with out ever telling you!
HOA’s and the 4.9% tax Levys until 2036
Heres what we know.
With an increased revenue stream from the development of the corner lot, maybe the Village can stop raising the SSA’s to the homeowners by 4.9% every year. This would be a primary concern for me if I lived in An HOA, This increase amounted to a $117,000.00 tax levy for this year alone is for the 3 HOA’s located in the Village. I am told the SSA’s reserves are overflowing. Unfortunately, these details are not accessible to the public. Where is the money? Why are these figures not being shared with the public? If there is a surplus of reserves, then why the steady tax hikes every single year of 4.9% until 2036 and only to the HOA’s? This is just an example of what we are fighting for. If in fact the the low income housing moves forward by way of forcing the current B! And B2 owners out. Where would the revenue come from…YOU!
Living in an HOA could be hazardous to your health.
I
The Public hearing
Additional Information
You have now learned more in a couple of paragraphs than during the 3.5 hour one sided public hearing that was held back in January.. Everyone should have been they’re working together. We attended the hearing and we saw what happened. We were all truly taken back by the administration’s conduct in allowing the the members of the planning committee to hammer on Mr. Lazar the way they did. They were here to listen to the public, not fight with Mr Lazar
The personal response made by Mr. Bork of the planning committee was absurd. So much so, he was in my opinion, mocked by the Kane County Chronicle. Read the article.
There were many residents who believed the issue of low income housing was to be addressed and was never mentioned. I a said earlier we have bigger problems than just the corer
Where Do We Go From Here?
Additional Information
We now we have someone who is willing to clean up the mess to the east of the gas station that Mr Lazar did not create. This 3 parcels has been an eyesore for years. IIt is my hope the Village officials did not destroy this opportunity to work with Mr. Lazar, The area can both an economic jewel and a source for much needed amenities as that everyone in the Village can be proud of. The corner station brings in more revenue to the Village than any other public entity within the Village of Lily Lake. I believe that it is safe to say that we all patronize the gas station, and enjoy the benefits and conveniences it currently offers.
Good and effective business people are those that try and make things fair for all parties involved. The Village of Lily Lake is a business that is currently being run into the ground by people who have no business sense. They use their governmental powers to force people to accept their “It’s my way or the highway” methodology. That is not how a good business operates. Do we need rules? Absolutely! But we also need intelligent leadership who is decisive, responsible, and educated on the situation whatever it may be. These folks on the ballot, well…They are not the right candidates to run it. Elect the 5 Write ins.
Did You Know?
Chaos In The Current Administration!
Chaos In The Current Administration!
Chaos In The Current Administration!
Long Term Chairman Steve Zahn explodes during a meeting of the Planning Committee and resigns after constant friction with his colleagues at the village!
The Attorneys Fees Keep Piling Up!
Chaos In The Current Administration!
Chaos In The Current Administration!
There is issue after issue with the mindset of the current administration versus the needs of the residents and landowners causing exorbitant legal expenses to both the village and its residents!
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