What’s so good about having Gotion coming to the Manteno area?
Manteno Trustee Joel Gesky, who is running for mayor, did a deep dive about the good the Chinese-based EV battery plant will bring to the area.
Since Gotion’s location became official in September, 2023, some Manteno residents have been up in arms, worrying about safety and Chinese Communism. They have loudly spoken, criticizing the village board and mayor Tim Nugent for allowing it to happen.
For the most part, the board has been silent in its position. A few weeks ago, Gesky opened up about it a little and, on March 17, he gave a long list of reasons Gotion is a good idea.
“Currently, there are 142 employees at Gotion,” Gesky said. “They are being trained. Of the 142 employees, 17 percent of them are from the Village of Manteno. Fifty percent are from Kankakee County. Only 15 percent of them are Asian. I know there are a lot of misconceptions about them bringing in all of the Chinese people.”
Geske said that within 60 days, Gotion will hire 200-250 more employees, and the anticipation is that 50 percent will be from Kankakee County.
“Right now, some of these union workers work downtown, and they drive an hour or two hours each way,” Geske said. “And they have to pay $60 for parking, which is roughly two hours of their work.”
If the same workers chose to work at Gotion, Geske said, it would give them several hours back to be with their families or do volunteer work.
He added that people working at Gotion will have their degrees paid for.
“Think about it – you get paid to work, and you get a scholarship,” Geske said. “Hmm. I think that’s positive for Manteno.”
Geske also said that critics of Gotion demand to know thr plan if something bad happens at the plant.
“We all would like to see the plan,” he said. “But my plan if something happens is to pick up my phone and dial 911.
“I’m going to let the experts – the fire chief and the police chief – handle public safety, because that’s their job.”
Between Manteno’s first responders and those from neighboring communities, he is confident they can handle any situation that arises.
Gesky said if there is a mandatory evacuation needed, there is a reverse 911, just like would happen if there was a major issue if there was a train derailment or a problem on I-57.
Appointments
The board made several appointments during its final meeting before the April 1 election.
Jim Hanley was appointed as director of public works.
Joseph Cainker was appointed as village attorney.
Chris LaRocque was appointed as village administrator, budget officer, and code enforcement officer.
Alan Swinford was appointed as chief of police and animal commissioner.
Sheila Martin was appointed as village treasurer.
Father Anthony Nugent and Reverend Lance Hurley were appointed as village chaplains.
Eric Weber was appointed as the village electrician.
Brian Meyer was named to the police commission.
Joe Grant was appointed to the police pension fund.
Jerry Pearce was appointed as the metro representative.
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