By Jeff Vorva
Chris LaRocque is wearing another hat for the time being. The Village of Manteno’s Village Administrator was named interim director of building and zoning at the September 3 meeting. He replaces Ryan Marion, who left in June.
Mayor Tim Nugent said there were applicants for the job, but the board decided to wait until after the April elections to appoint a new director.
“We did run an ad for his replacement,” Nugent said of Marion. “We got a number of different applications. None of those interviews resulted in someone who is going to be hired.
“We were only going to hire someone and promise them a position for a short period of time due to the upcoming election. With the training that’s involved, we determined the amount of time Mr. LaRocque would be involved in training, we would be better off just letting him do that position in the interim period.”
Tobacco control
The board passed an ordinance amending business regulations by adding tobacco dealers into the municipal code.
“This is for anyone who sells tobacco products,” Nugent said. “Not only does it regulate vaping shops, it also regulates any of the other entities that sell cigarettes, cigars, or any tobacco shops.
“The original purpose of this was for the vape only, but we found out we have to do them all. This will be licensing for all of the existing ones. The vape shops will be licensed at the same time.”
He said the village can control the number of licenses granted, and vape shops did not have licensing or regulations.
“We have a number of them, and we would like to put a limit on those.”
‘Fight, fight, fight’
As usual, the meeting had plenty of outcry about the proposed Chinese-based Gotion battery factory during the public comment section.
Gotion sponsoring the village’s September 26 Chamber of Commerce-run Oktoberfest also is not sitting well with some residents.
Francine Fatima voiced her displeasure using key words in triplicate.
“It’s a bad thing,” she said of the sponsorship. “That’s all I can say. It’s just a bad thing. It’s bribery running rampant, here. This company, Gotion, has given $50,000 to sponsor Oktoberfest. It never happened before. Ten thousand was the max, previously.
“I call it a bribe, bribe, bribe regarding Oktoberfest. They want us to go to sleep, but I’ve got news for you. We aren’t. It is wrong, wrong, wrong because we will fight, fight, fight.”