Although not on its agenda but with the results of a Cook County sheriff’s report into a clash last August between Park Forest Mayor Joe Woods and two residents still fresh in its minds, it seemed inevitable that the Village Board find a way to take up the matter at last week’s meeting.
First-term Trustee Randall White started the ball rolling when he began his comments saying he was “saddened and disgusted” by the encounter involving Woods and both Antiwone and Shalonda Hardy and that “we need to talk about this.”
The door opened and a big elephant stomped into the board room.
Then, for nearly the next 20 minutes, board members and White began a back-and-forth debate in response to White’s demand. Both Trustees Erin Slone and Maya Hardy said although everyone is held accountable, “these things,” said Hardy, “are better handled in private.”
The sheriff’s office investigated a confrontation shortly before midnight Aug. 6, 2024, between Woods and the Hardys, in which Antiwone Hardy claims the loss of teeth and back injuries. The six-page redacted investigation report closed stating both Woods nor the Hardy signed agreements not to press criminal charges.
“I don’t honestly know what else we can do, aside for the ‘ask’ by the village,” Slone said, perhaps thinking of that. “It’s not personal, but merely business at this point.”
The sheriff’s report stated Antiwone Hardy told investigators his dental bill was more than $10,000 and claimed he would also need spinal surgery.
White then came under personal attack from Trustee Tiffani Graham, who said White was “the only person on the dais who defrauds the taxpayers of Park Forest” by not showing up for numerous board meetings and events.
“That’s something we do get paid for,” Graham said. “We work for you (the public) but there are certain people who grandstand when they can make a point.”
For the record, trustees are paid between $7,500 and $12,500 a year based on length of service as they mix, mingle, meet and make themselves available at public events.
White responded to his lack of attendance at board meetings and public events by accusing village manager Tom Mick of “harassment” and of being left out of the loop on village matters. Despite that, White insisted “no one does more for the people of Park Forest than me.”
During public comment, an emotional Shalonda Hardy claimed the board was not listening and did not care.
“My husband was injured and that’s not going to go unnoticed either’ she said.
The report of the encounter near the Hardys’ business, the All-Out Smoke Pit, was based on interviews with the parties, footage from a nearby surveillance camera, by Graham and a cellphone video taken by Hardy’s daughter.
It states Woods was alerted by Graham Aug. 6, 2024, to a late night fire in a dumpster near the restaurant. The fire was out by the time Woods got there. Before leaving he shook hands with both Hardys, but their 15-year-old daughter backed away, just saying “hi.”
In a phone call to Graham, Woods said he asked why the daughter “treated me like a (expletive deleted).” Woods has a dramatic voice, and Shalonda Hardy overheard that derogatory word then took the phone “to confront Woods.”
Woods returned to the restaurant, perhaps to cool things down, but whatever his reason he was met by a now furious Shalonda Hardy who he said jumped on his back, and, according to the sheriff’s report, was “kicking him in the knee and pulling him away by the neck,” causing Woods to fall.
At the same time, Antiwone rushed at Woods with a large knife in his hand, but Graham intervened and was able to relieve him of the weapon, the report states. Woods and Hardy then began to struggle, it said.
After most of the trustees had their say, Woods had the final word, stating that with the official report out there “I will be making full statement in the very near future.”
Jerry Shnay, at jshnay@gmail.com, is a freelance columnist for the Daily Southtown.
