As of October 6, 2005, I have not received any correspondence from Senator James Meeks or Illinois State Representative David Miller.
August 26, 2005
Senator James Meeks, 15th District
M121 Capitol Bldg.
Springfield, Illinois 62706
Re: Village of South Holland Department of Planning, Development, & Code Enforcement
Senator:
I, Fred L Nance Jr., have written you, U.S. Representative Jesse L. Jackson Jr., Senator Barack Obama, and Illinois State Representative David Miller on many occasions about how South Holland racially profiles and discriminates against its African American population. Most recently I wrote a letter to you, copying Senator Obama, Mayor DeGraff, Mr. Knittle, and Mr. Millsaps dated August 10, 2005, reporting how South Holland’s Public Works department facilitated the paving of our streets restricting parking to its residents by “police order.” Because you and other State Representatives have not responded to my needs as one of your constituents, retaliation and discrimination has taken place against me. Frank Knittle directs South Holland’s Department of Planning, Development, & Code Enforcement and Public Works.
On August 25, 2005 I received an Inspection and Repair Notice from the Village of South Holland’s Department of Planning, Development, & Code Enforcement stating an inspection was made on August 23, 2005 of my residence. The supposed violation is about cutting my grass, prepare and paint the house trim, and repair to my shed. I will send the Inspection and Repair Notice by separate fax to everyone except to the people who sent it.
On August 26, 2005 at approximately 8:00 am, I went to my Attorney’s home and presented this issue. He stated it appears to be “Selective Enforcement”, which he says is a form of discrimination. I know you may be thinking if I have an attorney why am I alerting you or requesting your assistance. I am requesting your assistance because you, David Miller, Jesse Jackson Jr., and Senator Obama are my “elected” Illinois State and United State Representatives. You should know how the Village of South Holland operates, which is in your perspective Districts.
If an entity, such as the Village of South Holland operates with racial profiling, discrimination, and retaliation the Government of Illinois should restrict, if not prohibit, State and Federal funding on projects and other resources for this entity.
On August 26, 2005, at approximately 8:30 am, I met with Reginald Johnson, Virgil Jordan, and Frank E. Knittle of the South Holland Planning, Development, and Code Enforcement Department. I informed them that on August 23, 2005, the day of the inspection, I was home all day. I informed them that the Code Enforcement Officer, James Bruinsma, did not knock on my door or ring my bell before inspecting or examining my property. I told them I never saw this gentleman on my property. I informed them that the “repairs" mentioned in the Inspection Report were erroneous. I informed them I had cut my grass on August 24, 2005 as I usually do, which happens to a day before I received their notice. I informed them that it was my belief I was retaliated against because I wrote the letter on August 10, 2005. I informed them that it was my belief they are racially profiling me. I requested information on who ordered the inspection.
Mr. Knittle informed me he does not know his Inspectors’ route at any given time. He reports there is nothing in place for the inspectors’ to log out or in or give whereabouts at any given time. Mr. Knittle informed me that his Inspector’s “drive up and down the streets” looking at properties. I informed Mr. Knittle that if Inspector James Bruinsma “drove up and down my street” he could not have seen the grass in my backyard, which he reports was a violation of the South Holland Code. I informed Mr. Knittle that if Inspector James Bruinsma “drove up and down my street” he could not have seen or known my shed needed some minor repairs. I informed Mr. Knittle my front lawn was not an issue with Inspector Bruinsma. I informed Mr. Knittle looking at my house “driving up and down the street” would not make the “average” person believe my house had code violations. I informed Mr. Knittle that someone from his office purposely, maliciously, and nefariously sent an Inspector to my home to investigate for “possible” code violations in response to my letter dated August 10, 2005. I was told that maybe one of my neighbors called in complaining about my property. Now, the South Holland Planning, Development, and Code Enforcement managers want me to look at my neighbors and maybe start a fight with them for supposedly “reporting” me to them. The Planning Department stated to my wife, after I visited with them, that a neighbor reported I needed repairs to my property. I told my wife to not concern herself with this statement because the Planning Department is trying to shift the weight to our neighbors.
I asked Mr. Knittle if Mr. Bruinsma took pictures of his allegations. Mr. Knittle informed me that he did not know. I would think the supervisor of such an operation would know how his employees operate and their ethical behavior while on duty. The funding they get for this program should be severely restricted.
Regarding the letter dated August 10, 2005, Mr. Knittle informed me that the South Holland Police Department did not post the signs I complained about. Mr. Knittle reports the Contractors repairing the streets created and posted the signs illustrated on our streets stating, “No Parking 6:00 AM to 6 PM Monday thru Saturday by Police Order.” These signs were not by police order but by “Contractor” order. This is appalling that the Village of South Holland would allow companies they contract with to have such unethical practices, but it appears to mirror the practice of the Village of South Holland, therefore, it is okay. The Chief of Police for South Holland never responded to my letter. Therefore, he endorsed the behavior and character of the contractors.
I have requested Mr. Knittle conduct unbiased and unprejudicial inspection of my property if they deemed it appropriate after this type of retaliation. I informed him that the erroneous Inspection and Repair notice given by Inspector Bruinsma will not be satisfied. I informed Mr. Knittle that litigation may be pending for South Holland’s “Selective Enforcement” of Inspection and Repair Notices to its residents.
I have much more to say on this issue but I wish to report it in a personal interview with one of you, my State Representatives, or with Pam Oliver of NBC/WMAQ. If the issues I have presented to you guys in the last 3 years about the Village of South Holland is not addressed, as you would address and “publicize” your own issues, then retaliation for your constituents will continue and despotism will flourish.
This is not an isolated incident. The Department of Planning, Development, and Code Enforcement Managers’ report to me of having Code violations on more than 165 residents of South Holland last month (July 2005). Are they raking the money in for the Village of South Holland or what?
More importantly, what are you guys going to do? I am calling for all that I copy this letter too, to act of behalf of justice and fairness. Are your constituents supposed to sit on their hands at the hand of oppression? What about the Senior Citizens? They are part of this scheme. The Senior Citizens are being impacted by this notorious regime. Again, What are you going to do? You have my address and phone number. I will place this issue on the Internet, along with alerting Pam Oliver of NBC/WMAQ.
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
cc: Rod R. Blagojevich, Governor of Illinois
Senator Barack Obama
Illinois State Representative David Miller
U.S. Representative Jesse L. Jackson Jr.
Pam Oliver, NBC/WMAQ
Don DeGraff, Village of South Holland Mayor
Frank Knittle, Director of the Department of Planning, Development, and Code
Enforcement & Public Works
Warren Millsaps, Village of South Holland Chief of Police
Philip Cline, Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department
