South Suburbs for Greenspace Over Concrete Calls for the Immediate Resignation of Angela Mesaros
HOMEWOOD, Ill. - February 25, 2021 —South Suburbs for Greenspace Over Concrete (SSGOC) calls for the immediate resignation of Angela Mesaros, the village of Homewood’s director of economic development after she was caught on a hot mic calling members of the public “assholes” and saying “that’s why I don’t have a gun,” in reference to last weeks’s contentious second part of the Planning and Zoning Commission hearing to determine whether the property formerly known as Calumet Country Club will be rezoned for industrial use.
The recording was broadcast to Zoom, before the second continuance of the Zoning Commission meeting. Mesaros seemingly knew the mic was on and members of SSGOC were already in virtual attendance, as she commented on a “Truck No” account that was logged in, and a woman in the background said “hot mic” twice.
Mesaros tells other village officials that “if this (the desk) wasn’t here, if this wasn’t blocking me between those assholes in the audience last time…” Going on to say that she “might be able to take some of them on.” She noted that perpetrating violence isn’t her strong suit, but she’s “really good at inciting violence in other people.”
Village attorney Christopher Cummings was also included in her tactical machinations, implying that he would have a turned a gun on the crowd of residents last week if he had had one. “That’s why I don’t own a gun. Chris (Cummings) should not have one either.”
Napolean Haney, assistance village manager in Homewood, said, “You’re not going to sit out there and intimidate staff,” criticizing SSGOC’s “Hear Our Voices” rally held Tuesday, February 25, 2021. Haney is also recorded as saying that he can send police officers through potential demonstrators to intimidate them on Mesaros’ cue.
If playing truck noises and loudly advocating for your community is intimidating to village officials, SSGOC believes that mention of guns and “leap(ing)” over tables to physically assault residents concerned for the community is an offense worthy of being removed from one’s job. Village officials are entrusted with the community’s best interests and when they see the community as assholes deserving of violence then they must be removed.
South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete calls on the Board of Trustees and Village Manager Jim Marino to immediately fire Angela Mesaros.
About South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete
A multi-racial group of concerned residents of Homewood, Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Chicago Heights, South Holland and Glenwood formed in opposition to Diversified Partner LLC’s planned development of Calumet Country Club (2136 175th St, Homewood, IL 60430) into a fulfillment/trucking hub. The group is a campaign of SAFE.
About Illinois Southland Against Fossil Energy
Illinois Southland Against Fossil Energy was founded in response to the proposed gas-burning power plant in Glenwood. SAFE is building an inclusive, multi-racial coalition that believes the Southland needs and deserves a clean environment, clean government, healthy people, and a healthy economy.