Potty politics: Manteno board still flushed with controversy

The aftermath of contentious debates over Gotion continues to plague the Village of Manteno, as several residents continue to voice their opposition at board meetings, and the notion of amicable decision-making seems nearly impossible.

After a vote to add toilets and a pavilion to the Square on Second failed with the deciding vote cast by Mayor Annette LaMore, Trustee Todd Crockett took it as a signal the board, and specifically the mayor, lacked vision and feared every improvement would be voted down.

“I’d like to know what we’re actually in favor of. We’re not in favor of nice parks. There’s just a complete lack of vision here. What is it that we do want? We don’t want businesses coming here. We don’t want to add amenities for the residents of the village. So, I’d like to know from our leadership, what is our vision, mayor? Where are we going with this?” Crockett asked.

LaMore called attention to the rapidly diminishing general fund that went from $25 million down to just over $8 million in a few years. She said they’re just trying to be fiscally responsible, and she’d like to bring in an economic development expert to help the town generate business. 

Crockett asked if the economic developer would work for free, to which LaMore replied that they wouldn’t.

“You’re talking about a six-figure salary to bring somebody in to be an economic person. What vision are we giving that person? What are we going to tell that person to go and do? Because all we’re doing is saying no to everything,” Crockett fired back.

In response, LaMore explained she felt people could use the port-a-potties or they could open up the Leo Hassett building for people to use those restrooms, which was why she voted no. Still, Crockett persisted and wanted to know what direction an economic developer would be given, reiterating that there is no vision.

“My vision is to make Manteno the best it can be, but not keep spending like there’s no tomorrow,” LaMore said, after telling Crockett that hiring another person was in the budget.

At that point, Trustee Mike Barry jumped in.

“You’re in home building, right? If you handed someone this drawing for a home that’s going to be built and you tell them it’s $150,000 for the kit, but don’t tell them about the extra $130,000, what do you think they’re going to say?” Barry chided Crockett.

Crockett suggested Barry should’ve been at the public works meeting where project costs were discussed.

At that point, an individual interrupted the meeting and yelled at Crockett, saying he was being disrespectful to the mayor. 

LaMore banged the gavel to regain control of the meeting and asked if Crockett was done. 

He wasn’t. 

Crockett said every dollar related to the pavilion project was discussed at the public works meeting, which prompted Barry to ask why it wasn’t detailed on the agenda. 

The back and forth continued, with each doubling down – Barry, affirming it wasn’t transparent to the residents and Crockett reiterating that costs were already discussed openly.

The meeting in question was held at 7 a.m., which drew considerable grumbling from the audience and board members alike. Trustee CJ Boudreau said the notes were on the website for those who couldn’t attend. LaMore contended there was no perfect solution.

The spat ended with Crockett getting the last word, stating that it “goes back to lack of vision and lack of leadership.”

Trustee Joel Gesky later said he would bring back the toilets and pavilion to the committee and the board for another vote after it failed due to absent trustees.

The pavilion and the restrooms weren’t the only things seemingly gone to pot.  

Two items were removed from the minutes because they did not accurately reflect the votes cast at the last meeting. The vote forensic audit reflected a tie, leaving out Gesky’s vote in favor. Additionally, Ordinance 25-12 left out Boudreau’s vote. 

The decision approving the forensic audit made at the last meeting drew residents to share their dismay, along with an anonymous letter sent to the board and read by Trustee Annette Zimbelman.

The letter chastised the board for unnecessary spending on the audit, calling it “vendetta spending” and stating they didn’t think anything inappropriate would be uncovered. 

“Quite frankly, I’m shocked at the lack of due diligence before we just vote to spend $168,000,” Ron Tibbs said during public comment. 

Tibbs explained that Village Administrator Chris LaRocque’s explanations for funds moving among accounts made sense, and suggested the board scour past audits to see if there is probable cause or “red flags” that would necessitate an audit. 

Before concluding, Tibbs commended Trustees Boudreau, Todd Crockett and Annette Zimbelman for asking why it was needed and urged the mayor to stop it before it was too late.

However, it was too late.

Mayor LaMore advised that the audit had been approved, and auditors already had begun work.

Gotion’s mark on the community is far from over, as several residents spoke on the Chinese-owned battery plant, including Francine Fatima and Sandy Chiz, who affirmed that residents are justified in their concerns about Gotion.

Chiz singled out Gesky and Crockett, wanting to know what their personal evacuation plan would be should something happen at Gotion, adding that she felt they must have one or they would’ve voted against it.  

“People here on this board never asked questions, never did their due diligence,” resident Bob Forsythe said during public comment. 

“You have to ask questions,” Forsythe added, expressing that although there were concerns about the audit and the lawsuit over Gotion, not asking questions put the village in that position.

“I heard more questions about the liquor than we did about Gotion,” Forsythe added.

Forsythe continued, stating that while the village is considering bathrooms at the Square on Second, they should’ve asked why the post office closes at 5:30 p.m., which he says is a result of people sleeping in the post office and harassing patrons.

“If you want the village not to have any money, just keep spending it foolishly,” Forsythe added, concluding he felt the forensic audit was a good idea. 

Speaking of questions, Barry later questioned the village’s $70,000 Kankakee County Visitor’s Bureau membership and inquired what they do for Manteno. Village Administrator Chris Larocque explained that the goal is to bring in people from outside the county, and said they have advertising data. Nicole Gavin, from the Visitor’s Bureau, previously has reached out to explain what they do and to answer questions, and they will schedule a meeting.

Denise Nicholson chastised board members for what she called hypocritical behavior by invoking Christianity as a reason for opposing liquor ordinances, while being in favor of Chinese-backed Gotion, when China treats Christians inhumanely.

Gesky responded to Nicholson’s comment, stating they have to set rules. He mentioned that in the two weeks since the change, they already had received a request to make another change. He seemingly sarcastically suggested maybe they should just allow gambling and alcohol sales 24/7 so it wouldn’t be policed. 

A few residents spoke on agenda items, like Dave Bergdahl and Jane Hill. 

Jane Hill thanked the board for considering neighbors when determining whether to allow Rollin’ Smoke BBQ, especially with respect to traffic.

David Bergdahl asked several questions trying to understand the purpose of the agenda items that were later explained to be a parking variance for a resident, an agreement allowing a property owner to engage in soil remediation in the village’s right-of-way, and the potential for a concession stand in the pavilion, which was later revealed to be a rumor – a concession stand would be eliminated in favor of two extra bathroom stalls.

What appeared to be a mundane agenda item about bathrooms at the Square on Second turned out to be a flashpoint in the meeting.

Roy Hodges also spoke on the bathrooms in the Square. Although bathrooms would be nice, there are port-a-potties, and what he says the village doesn’t have but needs are smooth roads.

Gesky explained the results of community polls determined three needs at the Square on Second Street: bathrooms, seating, and shade.

Barry brought up that the $150,000 kit cost didn’t reflect the total pavilion project’s cost. An additional $112,000 to $120,000 was estimated to be needed in addition to the $150,000 for plumbing, electrical, HVAC, and engineering. 

A discussion then took place on the size of the pavilion and where it would be located.  

Barry explained he didn’t necessarily think it was a bad idea, but he’d like to see it better planned out and have everyone know the total project cost. He voted against approval, and LaMore followed suit, casting a deciding vote in the absence of Trustees Peggy Vaughn and CJ Boudreau, who later showed up at the end of the meeting.

There was some board confusion on whether the “omnibus” vote was a vote to approve the other three agenda items lumped together (parking variance, highway agreement, and bills in the amount of $291,594.01), but in the end, it was determined that the vote approved them. 

One positive outcome of the meeting that everyone could agree on: Whitetail Drive residents will get to have their block party on September 6.

Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.