Dolton mayor tiffany henyard party: Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard is facing backlash after hosting a large, expensive party that cost the town over $85,000. The event, called the “Taste of Thornton Township,” featured performances by rapper J. Holiday and R&B singer Keke Wyatt. The celebration also included bouncy houses and a sound system, but the high costs have left many residents unhappy.
An Expensive Party
The party took place in August and was meant to be a fun event for the community. Henyard, who also leads Thornton Township, shared videos of herself enjoying the event on social media, calling herself the “super mayor” and the “people’s mayor.”
However, the event didn’t seem to have a big turnout. Despite the low attendance, the town spent $30,000 on Keke Wyatt’s performance and $20,000 for J. Holiday. Other expenses included $6,600 for bouncy houses and additional costs for the sound system, staff, and equipment. In total, the event cost slightly more than $85,000.
Residents Are Not Happy
Many residents of Dolton and Thornton Township are upset about the high costs of the party, especially because it was paid for with taxpayer money. Jennifer Robertz, a concerned resident, said she was “flabbergasted” by the price tag and called it a waste of public funds. “That’s my money. That’s the people’s money,” she told reporters.
Former Dolton trustee Valeria Stubbs also criticized the event, calling it a “flop.” She pointed out that the event didn’t seem well-attended, making the high cost even harder to justify.
Financial Concerns in Dolton
This party is not the first time Mayor Henyard has faced criticism over spending. She has been under scrutiny for months due to alleged misuse of taxpayer money. There are ongoing federal investigations in Dolton and Thornton Township, and subpoenas have been served as part of the probe.
A report by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot showed that spending in Dolton has increased sharply under Henyard’s leadership. For example, the town spent $43,000 on Amazon in just one day, draining the village’s budget.
Trustees Pull the Plug on Future Events
In response to the high costs of the “Taste of Thornton Township,” trustees in Thornton Township have decided to cancel several upcoming events. These include a Gospel Fest, House Fest, and bingo events. The trustees voted to stop the spending until the town operates with an approved budget.
Trustee Chris Gonzalez explained the decision, saying, “We can’t continue to spend money without that in place.” He also mentioned that recent events had spent “an extraordinary amount of money unnecessarily.”
Other payments for items and services were also rejected by the board, further showing their concerns over the town’s finances.
Henyard Responds to the Criticism
Mayor Henyard was quick to respond to her critics, accusing the trustees of not contributing any ideas for the community. She expressed her frustration during a meeting, saying, “You guys want to just halt things here at Thornton Township… But yet, y’all have started saying no to everything that myself and our team is coming up with — and I see no ideas from any of you.”
Despite her defense, the criticism over spending continues to mount. Henyard’s leadership has been described as “dictatorial” by some residents, and the divisions between her and the township board are growing wider.
Conclusion
The costly $85K party hosted by Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard has sparked outrage among residents and trustees. With questions about spending and financial mismanagement, Henyard faces increasing pressure to address concerns about how taxpayer money is being used. While the mayor insists her efforts are for the benefit of the community, many are left questioning the necessity of such lavish events during challenging times for the town.
