[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6378021,"mediaKeyId","2138460-4d6245eff8b42b3d3cbcb43b59d883a7","parentId",2138460,"title","Residents criticize Goshen project and local candidates; board urges civility and notes public hearings","audioSeconds",761,"startMs",163000,"endMs",924000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138460-4d6245eff8b42b3d3cbcb43b59d883a7&start=163&end=924","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138460-4d6245eff8b42b3d3cbcb43b59d883a7/thumbnail_163000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6378021/Manteno/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Residents-criticize-Goshen-project-and-local-candidates-board-urges-civility-and-notes-public-hearings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378021-34b5e9cb6bb4d254dd576974eb1ebce5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776502353&Signature=eBdb6dYwzlgNZ52BLW4sd8mHkoTNig-E3Xp9HGdFxrqLsYGvRf-WFreuOSg-BNG1IdGZLzt1MoW9Z~iEHVLkGI63s4QOwc0GjcGZyOHdxlqziRhck6yZYgRBMKpRPfWatVDGcrc4UNxJP5LzAYN3vuCmUqzxbr4wjD~QQiEeEN6LCpN8OPkd2IuJgDyKxy8T0Inhte1KhjXCzyHr63zTBpqpqqA8gzkWomPjV1RcxzoInNN100ykim5Utm4ZTVNgfgXAEUQ4yQlgNJ4qXsiaKJKxVYXa3Leo68CFMLPACwH700U~VfgRQbrw1xNGlqf2zaj~xlHp7N55rAB3tr~bJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Village of Manteno, IL","date","2025-01-22T12:38:26Z","article","Several residents at the Jan. 21 Village of Manteno board meeting used the public‑comment period to criticize a proposed Goshen project, allege insider benefits, and describe a polarized local election atmosphere; trustees replied that the project went through public hearings and asked residents to remain civil.

George Reichert, a resident and public commenter, said he supports the Manteno Freedom Party over the Manteno Choice Party and complained that campaign signs and messaging felt “shoved down my throat.” Reichert said he believes property owners displaying signs indicate support for the Goshen plant and questioned fundraising disclosures, saying, “I see your war chest, $20,000 for a local collection.”

Bobby Forsyth objected to out‑of‑town donors and questioned the scope and cost of Legacy Park improvements, calling the Phase 2 work “a million dollars for a fishing pier” and asking whether the village would assume additional liability or staffing costs such as lifeguards. Forsyth also criticized local officials for not performing an environmental impact study and questioned the qualifications of a staff member to sign off on “chemical” matters.

Francine Fatima delivered a nationally framed political statement referencing the Jan. 20 presidential transition and said foreign actors tied to Goshen were a concern; she said, “Make no mistake, that is a fact.” Paul Motel, who identified himself as running for trustee on the Manteno Freedom Party ticket, urged civility and asked residents to stop posting “ill mannered” comments on social media. He said the recent behavior of some supporters was “unacceptable and unnecessary.”

Sandy Chish said the Goshen project was “snuck in” and alleged a property sale involving the mayor’s family, adding that the situation has “ruined so many of your reputations and caused so much dissension in our town.” Chish said a referendum would have avoided the controversy.

Trustee responses and board process: Trustee Crockett said increased public participation had a positive side, noting more residents are attending meetings than in prior years and that board members seek to improve the village. Another trustee (board chair) responded to calls for a referendum by saying multiple public hearings were held — by the village board, the planning commission, the school board, the library board and the fire department board — and that the meetings were publicly posted with “proper notices.” Trustees emphasized that not every village decision can be submitted to a referendum and that elected officials must make decisions based on the information gathered.

Election‑related restraint: The board said it would not make public comments about election campaigns to avoid interfering with the election, and asked that candidates and residents let “our actions decide our fate.” No formal action, investigation or referral was taken by the board during the meeting in response to the allegations; several residents asked for additional transparency or process changes but no binding direction was recorded.

Why it matters: The public comments reflect community tensions about development, trust in local decision‑making, and a contentious local election season. Trustees urged civility and reiterated the village’s procedural record of hearings.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Manteno Village Board Meeting January 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple Manteno residents used the Jan. 21 public‑comment period to criticize a proposed Goshen project and local candidates, allege insider deals and call for a referendum; trustees responded by stressing that public hearings were held and urging civil discourse.","taxTitle","Manteno, Kankakee County, Illinois","taxId",70424,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6378026,"Manteno board approves $984,101 Legacy Park Phase 2 contract; OKs $20,300 storm‑sewer televising",1037,807000,1844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138460-4d6245eff8b42b3d3cbcb43b59d883a7&start=807&end=1844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138460-4d6245eff8b42b3d3cbcb43b59d883a7/thumbnail_807000.jpg","/articles/6378026/Manteno/Kankakee-County/Illinois/Manteno-board-approves-984101-Legacy-Park-Phase-2-contract-OKs-20300-stormsewer-televising","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6378026-7bd0e451ef8d4fbe24f4c53eefbfe2e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1776502353&Signature=lTzjCNDWv6AoSBdrUmu4~Fo32fc3R80Sbwzn~Q6ebRoHTrXN-hU7mJ5QhXXftb4QWShGj5cfF3mPT~z~enSUfPt0K4h7LOjnvfK4CE1C7cXHg2SBc9bGa9Kj8t3ZNcgLJfKtDiM7s5vVIZSTv5QJyE-YMEi5DZhx6D7SS6V76Q~vApJKrZI19boMPpVPvpOXyfrVPa0QIY6lQnb5U2usKZByJDzA0~3pXsOUX3O0kQwRLtYwODpKZmm8F6C60BXfJNTqYUlM1TaGoLmHjlytxStIK5FBew3LsFF8LiR9mNgzrMNcxuv9wgrcocAsfg-AuRCJykAXIwoGS1s~NDjWOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Village of Manteno board on Jan. 21 voted to award a $984,101.05 contract to Tenneco Excavation of Bourbonnais for Legacy Park Phase 2 and approved a separate $20,300 contract for storm‑sewer televising and cleaning, both included in a consent (omnibus) agenda that passed by roll call.

The approvals came as part of an omnibus motion to accept three consent items: the Legacy Park Phase 2 contract, the 2025 storm‑sewer televising and cleaning contract, and payment of bills in the amount of $109,668.92 (the payment amount does not include TIF bills). Trustee Crockett moved approval; Trustee Boudreaux seconded. The roll call showed unanimous “yes” votes from trustees present: Crockett, Boudreaux, Dole, Geske, Phillips and Woodrow.

Why it matters: Legacy Park Phase 2 is the next phase of a park master plan that board members said dates to a multi‑year process. The board said the township, which owns roughly half of Legacy Park, will pay 50% of the Phase 2 cost. The village does not have a park district; trustees noted park work is paid from the village general fund.

Background and bid process: The village reported it received four sealed bids for the Legacy Park work. The low bid from Tenneco Excavation was roughly $20,000 below the next bidder and about $250,000 below the village engineer's estimate, according to board remarks. The bidding and engineer review are handled by village engineer Bruce Hill, who reviews bids for completeness and qualification before recommending award. Other bidders named in the meeting included Schwartz Excavating, R & R (Reuben Smith Construction) and KVCC.

Storm‑sewer contract details: The approved $20,300 contract is for televising and cleaning storm lines the village identified as having failed spots on Willow Street between Holtz and Leahy. Trustees said the lines are clay pipe; the televising work is intended to locate damaged segments and inform whether spot repairs or a full slip‑lining are needed.

Finance and next steps: The payment of bills approved by the board totaled $109,668.92. Trustees noted the village funds park operations and recreation from its general fund and that some prior park amenities (for example, an ice rink) were paid for entirely by the village when partner bodies declined to contribute. Implementation of the Legacy Park work will proceed under the contract award and oversight by the village engineer and public works staff; the township is expected to contribute its 50% share for accepted items.

Discussion versus vote: Board discussion at the meeting reviewed the bidding process, confirmation that sealed bids were received and opened by the engineer, and that the low bidder was a local contractor. There were no separate, recorded amendments to the award; the three items were approved together by omnibus vote.

Looking ahead: Trustees said construction of park improvements has proceeded in phases over several years and that work planned under Phase 2 follows the master plan originally developed in the late 2000s. Public‑works staff will schedule the work and report back as the contracts move into construction.","At its Jan. 21 meeting the Village of Manteno board awarded a $984,101.05 contract for Legacy Park Phase 2 to Tenneco Excavation, approved a $20,300 storm‑sewer televising and cleaning contract, and approved payment of $109,668.92 in bills in a single omnibus vote.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents criticize Goshen project and local candidates; board urges civility and notes public hearings

Manteno board approves $984,101 Legacy Park Phase 2 contract; OKs $20,300 storm‑sewer televising