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Residents at Manteno meeting renew complaints about firm called "Goshen," allege harassment and property impacts
Summary
Several residents told the Manteno Village Board that a company they call "Goshen" has harmed property values, behaved in noncompliance with agreements and created safety concerns; speakers recounted harassment and vandalism and asked the board to act before any occupancy extension.
Ann Gates, a resident who opened the public-comment period, told the Village Board that she and others have raised concerns for two years about a project they called "Goshen," saying it threatens property values and alleging local officials are prioritizing the company over residents. "Some seem to have forgotten their obligation and loyalty is to their fellow citizen," Gates said, and recounted being followed and other incidents she described as intimidation.
Francine Fatima, another resident, called Goshen a "plague" and said she hopes noncompliance with regulations will lead to the end of any contract with the company. Bill Barnes, who identified himself as a longtime resident and former local government employee, said he believed Illinois taxpayer money — which he described at one point as $350,000,000 — had supported Goshen and argued that the project would not deliver Illinois sales-tax revenue because of how the firm's production is structured. "After giving Goshen $350,000,000 in Illinois taxpayer money ... the fabric that was once woven to bring people into this community has done nothing for Manteno except create constant tension and infighting," Barnes said.
Residents also reported personal-safety incidents. Ann Gates described nails being placed in meeting-attendees' tires and said she had been followed after a meeting; Terry King said she had received death threats and noted that local police had placed a camera near her home. The public-safety details were presented as allegations and first-person accounts; the board did not announce law-enforcement findings during the meeting.
Trustees acknowledged the speakers' concerns and asked staff to report back. Trustee Geske specifically requested that the board receive an agenda update on the remaining Goshen items on Dec. 23 so the board could hear where Goshen stands before any extension of an occupancy permit. "We do hear your concerns," Trustee Mike (surname not given in the transcript) said, adding the board would continue to work with the information available. The meeting closed public comment with no immediate formal action taken on the allegations.
The next procedural step noted at the meeting was a requested staff update on the outstanding Goshen items before any decision on occupancy permits.
