DOLTON, Ill. (ECWd) –
Dolton, IL – The Dolton Park District Board of Commissioners will hold a press conference on Tuesday, August 15th, 2023, to discuss the mistreatment of a local patron who was denied the ability to host his popular car show by Mayor Tiffany Henyard as well as filing a lawsuit to stop the harassment.
Dolton Park District is an independent organization separate from the Village of Dolton, IL. The park district owns and manages eleven parks, including John W. Needles Park located at 142nd & Woodlawn Ave. in Dolton, IL. It is important to note that Dolton Park District has sole authority to rent out its parks to individuals or groups interested in hosting events and programs. No permit from the Village of Dolton is required.
On Saturday, August 12, 2023, a patron named Darin E. Bosley scheduled an event at John W. Needles Park, only to find tall cement barricades placed by Mayor Henyard and her Police Department blocking the park entrance. Mr. Bosley has successfully organized this event at Dolton Park for the past six years without any issues. However, he was recently contacted by Keith Freeman, the Administrator at the Village of Dolton, on behalf of Mayor Henyard and Thornton Township Supervisor, informing him that Dolton Park District did not obtain a permit from the village, and as a result, their event would be shut down. Additionally, Mr. Bosley was offered an alternative location on Greenwood Rd., where the mayor herself is hosting an event during the same time. It is reasonable to assume that the mayor is pressuring Mr. Bosley to move his event to Greenwood Rd. in order to boost attendance at her own event. It is worth mentioning that Mayor Henyard has a history of engaging in questionable behavior.
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/popular-car-show-in-dolton-abruptly-cancelled
fox32chicago.com/news/child-sex-offender-hired-by-dolton-mayor-faces-new-charges
Despite Mr. Bosley’s attempts to resolve the matter, the Village of Dolton police deputy chief Lacey was not cooperative and proceeded to shut down the event without providing a reason to Mr. Bosley or Dolton Park District President Cleo Jones. Furthermore, Mr. Bosley was contacted by several associates of Mayor Henyard, including the mayor’s boyfriend, who encouraged him to consider the offer and relocate the event. It is important to note that this event is not organized by Dolton Park District but by a paying customer – a resident and taxpayer who has obtained a valid park rental permit to host their event on Dolton Park District property.
The Dolton Park District Board of Commissioners, Executive Director, and staff are deeply disturbed by the treatment Mr. Bosley has received. They strongly condemn any form of political retaliation and will not tolerate such mistreatment of their patrons. They demand any further retaliation by the mayor, supervisor, or her administration to cease immediately.
The press conference will take place at the Dolton Park District Headquarters located at 721 Engle Dolton, Illinois on Tuesday, August 15th, 2023, at 11am. Representatives from local media outlets are invited to attend and cover the event.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Nakita Nicci
Public Relations
630-210-1202
Note: This media alert has been prepared by the Dolton Park District Board of Commissioners for the purpose of informing the public and media about the press conference.
3 Comments
Ed Dart
Posted at 23:32h, 14 AugustGive mayors a little authority, and they will abuse it. What bother me is the Police being part of this, which part of Mississippi is this?
John Thomas
Posted at 10:22h, 14 August“Dr.” Nakita Nicci, Public Relations
“Dr.”
Public Relations
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Kathiann
Posted at 09:49h, 14 AugustLooks like the mayor is way out of her lane of authority. Why do these officials continue to invite people to sue them?