By Jeff Vorva

Oktoberfest celebrations are meant for fun and good times and are usually free of controversy. But this year’s Manteno Oktoberfest, which is run by the Chamber of Commerce, is riling up a segment of the community that has been riled up for months.

The September 26-29 Oktoberfest’s main sponsor is Gotion – the Chinese-based electric vehicle battery company that is building a factory in the area. That has some residents worried and upset, and they take their concerns and wrath to village board meetings.

During the August 5 meeting, some complained to the board about Gotion’s sponsoring of the Oktoberfest event, hinting many residents will boycott it because it is being run by what they say are a “Communist” business.

Resident George Reichart was dismayed by the sponsorship. “I just wonder if you ran that by any veterans in Manteno,” he said during the public comment section of the meeting. “Did you go over to the veterans’ home over there and ask them how they felt about it? Did you go over to the VFW over there for lunch or dinner and ask them how they felt about it? I imagine they would not be too happy about it.”

Reichart said he has the “utmost respect” for veterans even though he is not a vet. But he said his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were all in the service.

“What you are doing here by letting Gotion sponsor this is so disrespectful…I just don’t get it,” Reichart said.

Baughan honored

Animal Control Officer Gary Baughan was honored at the meeting for 25 years of service.

“Gary has been kind of an unsung hero with the village and the police department,” Manteno Police Chief Al Swinford said. “We don’t talk a lot about animal issues at our meetings because Gary does his job so well. He handles problems before they become problems.”

Baughan said he appreciates the board’s support over the quarter of a century of work and noted, “Everyone has been a big help. Any questions that I have asked – they do come up with the answers.”

Mayor Tim Nugent said the village is “lucky and blessed” to have Baughan working in the village so long.

“Gary is available all the time,” Nugent commented. “He takes care of the issues, so much more so than we would ever be able to have with any other organizations. We’re glad you are doing it and glad you are going to continue to do it for as long as you can.”