Following the election of Tiffany Henyard in 2021, Nicole Scott was hopeful and excited to work with Dolton’s new mayor to expand her food pantry to provide a range of supports to local residents.
“The idea was to bring a myriad of services to the community, like making it a community center,” Scott said.
Four years later, Scott says she hasn’t been able to expand the Free-N-Deed market because of Henyard’s resistance, and on Sunday she hosted a campaign kickoff for those hoping to oust her in the pantry’s parking lot.
“I just want people in power who are going to help serve the community,” Scott said.
About 70 people turned out at the modest Scott Mall property to support the start of a joint campaign team of current and former Dolton elected officials hoping to win the election on a platform that contrasts with Henyard’s controversial leadership.
Trustee Jason House, who has become a vocal advocate for Henyard to launch an investigation into the village’s tax spending, has officially announced his candidacy for mayor. Former Trustee Edward Steave, who lost his re-election bid last year, is running for trustee, and incumbent Trustees Kiana Belcher and Brittney Norwood and Village Clerk Alison Key will seek re-election.
Ushering in a new era of transparency and accountability was the primary goal repeatedly emphasized by candidates for office Sunday. While those standing at the podium in front of a “Clean House 2025” backdrop avoided naming Henyard directly, they expressed anger over what they see as his administration’s betrayal of the public trust through mismanagement of village funds.
“We have been shut out, we have been lied to, we have been robbed as a community by the current mayor and administration,” Trustee Belcher told the crowd. “And it has to stop.”
As Henyard drew fierce criticism on social media over alleged corruption, the five-man team of politicians became the mayor’s outspoken opponents and familiar allies to many concerned residents who pack the village hall for each monthly meeting.
Among those in attendance Sunday were families with young children and seniors sitting in plastic chairs on the sidewalk and under the storefront. Also present were officials including Dolton Trustee Tammy Brown, who is not running for reelection, and Thornton Township Trustee Chris Gonzalez, as well as members of the village firefighters union.
While one person attended the event in protest, yelling out a car window during his speeches, peace was restored as House spoke about his mayoral campaign.
The crowd erupted in cheers, people stood to applaud and one person honked his horn. While House expressed nervousness about speaking in public, he said that as mayor, he would reveal the secrets of the village’s financial situation and create a welcoming environment for small businesses.
“We’re going to respect the viewpoints of different people,” House said. “We’re going to have a vision that’s not based on self-promotion or political ambiguity. It’s going to be a vision that’s built around unity for all the people in our city.”
He said his priorities, if elected, include public safety reform, connecting police officers more closely with community members, and developing balanced budgets that put the village on a fiscally responsible path.
“Our team is going to change the narrative around the village of Dolton and we are going to restore order, decency and dignity to this community,” House said.
ostevens@chicagotribune.com
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