With the pavilion and toilets in the Square on Second seemingly squared away, the newest squabble of the Manteno board stemmed from a disagreement over a new truck for public works.
Trustee Todd Crockett proposed the purchase of a brand new 2025 Ford Ranger from Taylor Ford of Manteno for $37,528 — a seemingly mundane agenda item.
It was not to be.
Nay, Trustee Peggy Vaughn contended Dralle bid on the same truck, one year newer, for $35,427.90, and she felt the price difference warranted the choice to be Dralle’s truck.
“That’s $5,500 that we’re spending on this truck. And we weren’t even going to get the bid in the first place ‘til I said something. Is this how we do the bidding process?” Peggy Vaughn asked.
“Right now it’s a $2,100 difference,” Crockett said frankly — but not before Vaughn interjected to say it wasn’t. She was taking into account that the truck Dralle bid was a model year newer than the new truck from Taylor and added $3,500 for the additional year of newness.
“This is the vehicle that our public works director had chosen. This is also through Taylor Ford, who has been our number one tax-generating revenue,” Crocket contended.
“Dan Dralle lives in Manteno here, as well,” Vaughn shot back, with Crockett saying he didn’t have an issue with Dralle.
The Dralle dealership is located in neighboring Peotone.
“If we like a vehicle, we don’t put it out for bid. First of all, it’s not a comparable vehicle,” Crockett said.
It was revealed at that point the truck Dralle bid on was not a Ford Ranger, but instead a Chevrolet Colorado. Crockett pulled Public Works Superintendent Jim Hanley into the conversation to defend his choice.
The plot thickened as it was not a model year older, as the agenda indicated.
“Just to clarify, it’ll be a 2026 because they’re going to have to order it and they’re not making any more — the 2025s are over. So, it will be a 2026. Same price,” Hanley said.
“The Ford Ranger, it’s an aluminum body, better engine, larger cargo area. We have two other ones right now,” Hanley added, noting they “talked it through” before deciding on it.
Vaughn appeared dissatisfied and wanted to know who would use it. Hanley replied, the public works staff.
“I think the Chevy is just as equipped as this Ranger. I don’t see why, when they’re bidding, when we do a bidding process and the person wins that bid, why do they not get it?” Vaughn questioned.
“Well, first of all, this is a state bid. So, it’s the lowest bid that any Ford dealer would sell the same comparable vehicle for —” Crockett began to explain.
“Dralle is $2,000 cheaper,” Vaughn cut in to emphasize, slightly raising her voice.
“But you’re not looking at apples and apples. You’re looking at apples and oranges. It’s two different vehicles, with two different VIN numbers and two different sets of equipment,” Crockett protested.
Nary a board member interrupted the debate, intently listening to the back-and-forth, some with elbows on desks and hands poised on their chins or mouths.
“When I was elected, one of the very first things I said was that as a trustee, I would support public works, and I would support public safety in any which way that they need it. Now, Jim feels this is the best vehicle for the use. I think it’s the best vehicle for the use,” Crockett said, but was cut off again by Vaughn.
“And I’m looking out for the taxpayers!” Vaughn proclaimed.
“So, what you’re trying to do though is you’re trying to take tax — you’re trying to take a local business that produces the most tax dollars in this community and throw them out the door over 20 years,” Crockett argued with Vaughn retorting back, “I’m not throwing them out the door! It’s a fair bidding process we should be doing!”
By this time, the pair were talking over one another, reiterating the same points. With Mayor Annette LaMore not there to bang the gavel, the duo continued the exchange.
Again, Crockett turned to Hanley, who started to say, “We have a Ford fleet right now,” before Vaughn once more interrupted, pointing at Hanley.
“That’s the point right there. You have a Ford fleet right now, and you don’t want to change to where we’re saving the taxpayers money, and I think it’s appalling. I’m sorry,” Vaughn said to some applause from the crowd.
Not one to shy away from the last word, Crockett quipped, “Well then, Peggy, you vote the way you want to vote.”
When it came time for the vote, Trustee Mike Barry took issue with the truck being listed on the consent agenda as a 2025 when it was a 2026, and as such, felt it should be removed.
“Honestly, I understand that we’ve done a lot of business with Taylor Ford, and they’re our biggest tax purchaser. So, you think they would have been a little bit more aggressive with the pricing on this vehicle,” Barry said, adding he wanted the features itemized so everyone would know what they’re getting, though he did not address Crockett’s earlier statement about the pricing being contracted state pricing from Ford.
Trustee C.J. Boudreau then chimed in to say it was all discussed during the committee meeting, and Hanley already provided his reasoning.
“I get Dralle. It’s $2,000, but it’s a Manteno business versus a Peotone business. I don’t know why that’s such a big deal,” Boudreau said incredulously.
“No, it’s $3,500 between the two years,” Vaughn interjected.
Boudreau then shot back he would make a motion to amend it to say it’s a 2026 then.
“Why are we battling over $2,000 in an $8 million budget?” Boudreau said, emphasizing each syllable, pounding the desk with his hand.
“[It’s] Just going to make a business mad,” Boudreau quipped.
“Not to mention the sponsorships they provide for Square on Second when they have the rockin’ on the square. I mean, Jacob’s not here today, but I always see their sponsorships for everything,” Gesky added.
Vaughn was undeterred.
“Now, I seem to remember back then how the bids worked. I was told how the bids worked, and I’m not happy with this whatsoever. I think this is wrong. I think it needs to be taken off and rebid. And just because it’s a Ford — I’m totally against this,” Vaughn insisted.
The battle of Ford versus Chevrolet continued down to the vote and, similar to the passing of the pavilion and its bathrooms, as is with many board votes following the election, the board voted in the same way, with Barry and Vaughn being the lone nay votes.
“All those $2,000 add up, boys,” Vaughn remarked after the vote.
Almost unbelievably, what had once been a massive point of contention — the hotly debated, derisive argument about the pavilion and bathrooms — was now bringing forth a kumbaya moment.
Gesky notified the board of a solution: Jacob Carlile of Manteno’s Carlile Group had seen the disagreement and offered to provide a concept for free.
“I think we can work together on this. I think we’ll make that park, you know, look nice and stuff. I’m really liking to see the other way I talked to you about, as far as putting the bathrooms with the portable ones, I think it’s cheaper,” Vaughn said, adding she was aware there weren’t enough votes to stop the bathrooms from going in.
Another discussion erupted regarding the awarding of the storm sewer project to Allied Water Solutions. It, like the truck vote, would be separated from the consent agenda, which included bills.
During public comments, Patrick Young had challenged and requested the board table the bid for the storm sewer project. He couldn’t be certain non-union Allied paid a prevailing wage, which made the board pause for a moment.
However, ahead of the vote, Village Attorney Joseph Cainkar chimed in and stated they had to pay a prevailing wage, explaining it was part of the bid package.
This spurred more discussion, revealing the board had already looked into local Allied and reviews of their work. Some discussion occurred regarding the bids, and then the business owner of Allied was invited to the podium to address the bid.
Essentially, because they are a local Manteno company, they dropped their profit margin by 10 percent to get the bid. This satisfied board members, and the board easily approved it, with only Gesky abstaining.
The board also moved forward with voting on Ordinance 2519, an ordinance amending Title 3, Business Regulations, Chapter 20, Raffles of the village of Manteno Municipal Code, an ordinance amending Title 3, Business Regulations, Chapter 7, Itinerant Merchants of the Village of Manteno Municipal Code. These would be updated to be current with state regulations and allow for the waiving of fees in certain instances.
Without much discussion, the board updated Ordinance 25-20, which related to public urination or defecation. The police chief noted it wasn’t common, but when it came up, they realized there wasn’t an ordinance to address it. Ordinance 2521 authorized the sale of surplus property, specifically for the sale of an unused ATV.
The board also voted to allow Hanley to accept bids for downtown landscaping proposals, following a favorable vote, making sure the proposals wouldn’t make the village beholden to any costs.
As is the norm at most Manteno board meetings, several residents spoke during public comment.
Most speakers shared their displeasure about Gotion. However, Manteno High School student Luke Warner expressed gratitude to the village board for making Manteno a great place to live, learn, and play sports.
Emily Herman requested the ability to conduct a raffle for fundraising for the Chicago Marathon, a race she is running to raise awareness for cancer and specifically leukemia. Finally, resident Mike Junger took issue with the pumping station on Sycamore Road. Barry advised they would look into it.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.