CITY OF WEST FRANKFORT 1 IO North Jefferson Street West Frankfort, IL 62896 (618) 932,932.62, 0 Fax (are) 937.2512. February 17, 2017 RE: Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco Dear Judge Howard, I?m writing a reference letter in support of Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco. His attorney has given me some general thoughts on what to write, since this isn?t something I?m asked to do every day, or know too much about, but I stand behind everything that is said in this letter. I encourage you to contact me if you have any further questions. For background, I am the Mayor of the City of West Frankfort. I was elected in April 2011 and have served at that position for over 6 years. I am also a retired Fire Fighter and Medic with 33 years of service in this community. Since becoming Mayor, I have interacted with Carlos on a business and economic level. Carlos has asked for the City?s input on business decisions and has asked ?how can I make West Frankfort better?? Just last month, Carlos learned that the West Frankfort Fire Department was cancelling a fund raising ?gala?, the Fire and Ice Ball. Carlos asked the City if he could sponsor the event at his business and donate the funds to the Fire Department. This is a representation of who Carlos is. I see Carlos at Chamber of Commerce meetings and other local events. I always enjoy talking to him while my family and I are dining at the restaurant he manages. Everyone at the restaurant is so nice and Carlos does such a great job. At a recent meeting of the Southern Illinois Mayors Association, Carlos was asked to cater the event. All those in attendance commented on the food and asked what restaurant was responsible. I am almost positive that Carlos gave the City a discount because the cost was half that of other caterers. I feel Carlos is a man of character. I understand the issue is whether Carlos is a risk of ?eeing or if he is a danger to the community. I do not feel that Carlos is a ?ight risk. He is married and loves his children. He is a loyal member of this community. He owns property here. He is a committed father and would never leave his family to fend for themselves. He spends a ton of time with his children and I cannot imagine that he would leave that behind. His wife, Elizabeth, is a US. Citizen. It is my understanding that he has filed paperwork to get a legal, permanent residence and I don?t think he would ever do anything to jeopardize that. He has worked hard building up his business, takes a lot of pride in it, and would never abandon it. I personally do not think Carlos is a danger to the community. I recently become aware that he was arrested for DWI in the past. It surprised me as I have never seen Carlos with a drink. I Judge Howard Re: Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco February 17, 2017 Page Two recently discovered that after his arrest, Carlos enrolled and completed the Alcohol Anonymous program and has not had a drink since. Carlos is a great asset to our community and doesn?t ask for anything in return. This community has grown to rely on Carlos and he never lets us down. Recently Carlos brought food and refreshments to the Fire Fighters at the scene of a ?re near his place of business. I do not consider Carlos to be a ?ight risk. Carlos is a member of this community and strives to become a legal permanent resident. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1746, I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my information and belief. Torn Jordan, Mayor City of West Frankfort 2/16/2017 Dear Judge Howard. I am a relerence leirer in supporr ol Juan Carlos Hernandez Pacheco. His ariorney has given me some general thoughts on "hat in "me, since this isn't somelhmg asked to do every day. or know much abour, bur I srand behind everyrhing ihai is said in rhis leller. I encourage you to coniaci me it you have any funher quesnons. For background. I am Wesl Franklori Fire Chlef Jody Allen. 1 am lilelong residenl ol Wesl Franklorl. 1 am in my 20m year as a career firefighter. I was proinoied io Caprain 7 years ago and ihen nearly 4 years ago I was appoinred Flre Chlef. Our Deparimenr delivers bolh fire serVice and iranspori ALS ambulance lor our 72 square mile disiricl. I mei Carlos nearly 7 years ago. I have inieracled wirh him on social occasions and also professionally. He has ailended every evenl rhal iny depariineiu has had lor lhe lasi 7 years. Nor only has he aireiided rhe hindraising evenls bui he has also helped organize several oi ihe evenrs. He also is always a generous donor al rhe evenis. lusi lhis pasr fall we had a 2711 alarm fire lwo blocks from his house and reslaurani. He wenr io [he resiaiiranr and cooked enough lood to provide io every firefighler (approximately 50) on scene and served re us on ihe slreer under a lenl he sei up. He goes above and beyond my io conlribule [0 our deparimeni and more imponanrly our coininiiniiy. He does all ihis for rhe and does humbly. I can airesl ihar Carlos is a man of greai characler. He undoubledly loves his Wife Elizabeih and his children. I undersland ihe issues ro be wheiher Carlos is a risk oi fleeing or a danger to rhe He would never leave his wile and kids behind ro fend lor ihemselves. He is a valuable member ol our communiry and a dedicared Failier. He spends a lremendous ainouni ol iime wuh his Wife and kids. His wile. Elizabelh. is a U.S. He has filed paperwork io ger a legal permanenr residence and I know he would never do anyihing lo Jeopardlze lhal. He's worked very hard building up his business rhai he rakes a greai deal oi pride in and would never abandon ir. lam aware ihar he was arresied lor DWI in lhe pasr. surprised me. as I have never seen him wuh a drink in his hand. I recenily discovered lhal alier his arresl rhai Carlos had enrolled and complered rhe Alcohol Anonymous program and has noi had a drink since ihar iime. Carlos and his family have become a part of many of the families here in West Frankfort. Our community has grown to rely on Carlos in times of need, and Carlos has never let us down. Carlos is not a flight risk or a danger to our community. In fact, I would consider him one of the most meritorious members of the community and his business is one of the most successful businesses in town. Carlos is a laudable member of this community and only strives to become a legal permanent resident. Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1746, I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct to the best of my information and belief. Respectfully, Verified by PDFfiller 02/16/2017 West Frankfort Fire Department Chief Jody R. Allen 201 E. Nolen St. West Frankfort, IL 62896 Phone: (618)937-1234 E-Mail: jallen@westfrankfort-il.gov