Auto Dealer Accuses Mayoral Candidate Bob Streit of Defaming Him in 'Fake News' Story

LETTER TO THE EDITOR -- Mancari's Chrysler – Jeep – Dodge – RAM has had the privilege of calling Oak Lawn our home since 1981. I am proud to say we have always supported as many local charities and events as possible, including Oak Lawn’s Fall on the Green, generations of Little League players, local sports teams and other worthy causes in our community. I have also always made it a point to support ALL government officials, never showing favoritism towards any one individual or party.

We never look the other way on Oak Lawn and Oak Lawn and its great residents have always been very supportive of us. We love being part of Oak Lawn and this great community. I am writing this letter to set the record straight because our good name has been slandered in an anonymous publication controlled and run out of the office of local mayoral candidate Bob Streit.

I am disappointed and appalled that a recent article in Trustee Bob Streit's cowardly blog accused Mancari's of some sort of pay-to-play deal with Oak Lawn's elected officials. Mancari's decade's long excellent name and reputation have been slandered by Bob Streit who is not even man enough to use his real name. Let me set the record straight. The only elected official who has ever been less than ethical in my dealings is Bob Streit.

In his article, Streit conveniently failed to mention that over the past few years Mancari’s has donated nearly $8,000 to his campaign fund, and since he’s been a politician we’ve donated tens of thousands of dollars to his numerous fundraisers. No other elected official has been as intimidating, brazen and demanding as Bob Streit when it comes to fundraising. It’s disheartening that over the past 24 years Bob Streit has asked for our support for EVERY fundraiser he’s had, and now he has the nerve to fabricate a story for his own political benefit. I’ve lived and worked in this community for nearly 40 years, and I’m confident Bob Streit is NOT the person our fine residents will choose to run this great community.

Mancari's Chrysler Jeep Dodge has a very small footprint by today's standards. We have been able to successfully compete with dealerships, who have much more land because of our friendly relationships with our neighbors, and because the village has worked with us and recognizes our important contributions to the community. In these times, dealerships are expected to have very specific amenities for customers and very specific frontage and signage requirements. Because of the age of our dealership, it has been a challenge to implement these contemporary guidelines in our established, land-locked business on 95th Street.

No other administration has worked as hard to keep us in Oak Lawn as this one. The village did not look the other way when Chrysler Corporation told us we had to either expand or relocate outside of Oak Lawn to a larger facility. Due to the tireless efforts and hard work of the entire Village of Oak Lawn team we were able to achieve the impossible and expand our footprint on 95th Street.

This action was critical in allowing us to keep our dealership in Oak Lawn. We did not want to see the community we love lose the more than $800,000 in yearly sales tax revenue, and our goal now that we have expanded is to increase that number each and every year.

I feel the damage being done to our community by negative messaging by people like Bob Streit is wrong. Oak Lawn is a wonderful village and negative messages hurt the village and hurt our businesses in the village. I will support a positive message for Oak Lawn any time and I am proud to say I am one of the thousands of "People Who Love Oak Lawn."

Streit's recent fake article also implied advertising in the Village's Oak Lawn Matters newspaper as something sinister. As a businessman who spends hundreds of thousands of dollars every year in advertising, I can tell you it is a good business decision to affordably reach out to every home in Oak Lawn every month in this way. It helps my business and helps deliver positive messages about Oak Lawn into the community.

I encourage any resident who has questions about Mancari's Chrysler - Jeep - Dodge – RAM, to feel free to contact me directly at (708) 955-1952. I will personally tell you how hard this village has worked to keep a long-time business and the sales tax revenue it generates. I will also personally tell you how I feel Bob Streit's fake news and negativity are perfect examples of what's hurting America today.

I guess the only silver lining is Bob Streit won’t be coming into my office every month asking for more money.

Sincerely,

Frank Mancari
President, Mancari's Chrysler – Jeep – Dodge – RAM

This letter was submitted by a community member.

Photo: Frank Mancari | YouTube