At the first Dolton Village Board meeting since Mayor Tiffany Henyard lost the Democratic primary for reelection, a sense of peace washed over many attendees.
Henyard was absent from Monday’s meeting at the Dolton Park District Field House, leaving Trustee and Democratic nominee for mayor Jason House to lead. He helped usher in settlements of several lawsuits brought against Henyard and the village, as well as contract agreements with union workers.
“This board is about making sure that we listen to the residents and we are able to actually take things and put them into action,” House said.
Board members in attendance, Tammie Brown, Stan Brown, Brittney Norwood and Kiana Belcher, expressed their support for House and excitement for the village’s future.
House received 3,896 votes, or 88%,to 536 votes for Henyard, according to unofficial results from the Cook County clerk’s office. The winner of the mayoral primary will face Independent candidate Casundra Hopson-Jordan in the April 1 election.
“88% is an avalanche, not a landslide,” Belcher said, to a chorus of laughs and applause.
Norwood led a field of seven candidates with 3,554 votes, while Belcher had 3,414 and former trustee Edward “Ed” Steave had 3,335 votes, according to unofficial results. All are members of House’s Clean House 2025 slate.
The trustee candidates running with Henyard were well behind, with Joslyn King at 653 votes, Linda Terrell at 618, and Vanessa R. Wesco with 536 votes, unofficial results show.
In unanimous approvals, the board designated certain village property Class 8, intending space for commercial business, as well as approved bargaining agreements with the firefighters’ union and Police Department record technicians.
Dolton firefighters’ Local 3766 has spoken out about working without a contract during Henyard’s tenure, citing a dysfunctional negotiation process. They also filed a lawsuit the board settled Monday to resolve all pending grievances and matters before the Labor Relations Board.
The board agreed to settle two other lawsuits that will cost the village close to $100,000. In a Freedom of Information Act case brought by Nexstar Media, the village agreed to pay an about $52,000 judgment. In another case brought by Karen Johnson, the village settled for $35,000.
The board also overrode a veto from Henyard that prevented them from issuing a liquor license to Pablo’s Cafe and Bar on Sibley Boulevard. Village attorney Michael McGrath said House was given court approval to issue the license due to Henyard’s unwillingness to comply with court orders.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
