Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard was absent from the last regularly scheduled board meeting before new leadership is sworn in Monday, while attending trustees exchanged heartfelt goodbyes with community members.
The Township Board voted to settle a lawsuit with employee Kathryn Granberry and to spend $3,000 for an “employee luncheon.” The board also paid bills with the exception of several reoccurring services Henyard previously pushed.
Meeting attendees, including newly elected trustees Mary Avent and Valeria Stubbs who take office Monday, expressed gratitude for board members Chris Gonzalez, Carmen Carlisle and Stephanie Wiedeman for their leadership during Henyard’s three-year tenure as supervisor.
“I’ll be forever grateful for all three of you,” Stubbs said.
“You came in, you did what we needed you to do,” Avent said, addressing Wiedeman. “For that we say thank you, although I know we’ll see you again.”
Wiedeman, who residents voted onto the board in January to replace Gerald Jones who resigned three months prior, shed tears as she and other board members received bouquets of flowers. Neither she nor Carlisle sought another term, while Gonzalez was reelected as part of the slate that includes state Sen. Napoleon Harris, who will replace Henyard next week as supervisor.
Also honored were Highway Commissioner Gary DePue and Clerk Loretta Wells, who tended to stay mum during clashes between Henyard and trustees. Neither official sought reelection this year, with Antwon D. Russell and Casey A. Nesbit, respectively, succeed them.
“This is bittersweet,” Wells said, choking up while noting she has worked with the township for 40 years. “It was tough. I had to stay neutral … I’m just wishing nothing but love to the next administration and the next clerk.”
Trustee Darlene Gray Everett, who has frequently voted alongside Henyard despite other board members’ opposition to her, was absent. Henyard was unable to secure a spot on the ballot despite seeking reelection after losing the Democratic nomination to Harris during a caucus in December.
In the historically Democratic voting region, Harris received 75% of the vote for supervisor. Independent candidate Nate Fields trailed with 11% of the vote, followed by Republican Richard Nolan with 10% and Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark, who had withdrawn from the race, with 5%.
Henyard, who until recently was also mayor of Dolton, lost her bid for reelection in the village as well. Jason House and members of his slate were sworn in earlier this month.
The new Thornton Township Board will be sworn in during a ceremony scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday at the Tiwnship Hall, 333 E. 162nd St. Gonzalez announced a short meeting will take place ahead of the inauguration at 12:30 p.m.
Trustees didn’t mention Henyard be name, but alluded to their issues with her that ranged from name calling to general lack of communication surrounding policies and meeting structure.
Federal investigators have at least twice before visited Dolton and Thornton Township in search of documents, including expense reimbursements and other payments made to Henyard. No charges have been filed.
“This hasn’t been an easy journey, but when you rally together, there is strength in numbers,” Carlisle said during the meeting. “I just want to say thank you to you all for all your kindness that you’ve shown during this time, and just all the love and support … I think it’s so important for people to see what’s going on in these small communities, because there are so many changes that are needed.”
ostevens@chicagotribune.com