Kankakee Times

The Manteno Village Board welcomed Jacob Knox as the new director of public relations during its Feb. 21 meeting.

Former Director Sara Marion recently left the position after six years to start her own business. The decision was made to hire Knox after considering a number of applicants and their experience. Knox introduced himself to the board and community, thanked them for the opportunity, saying that he was excited to get started and continue the solid work that Marion had been doing.

“While I've got some big shoes to fill, I look forward to bringing my ideas, relationships and skillset to the table, and I'm excited to work with our residents and local businesses and showcase why Manteno is the place to work, live and play,” Knox said. “I look forward to collaborating with our schools and area nonprofits to develop those various mentorship programs that Sara's kind of started in addition to some community wellness opportunities and events.”

The board also discussed the Hometown Heroes Banner Program, which allows people with military service to have their name and face put on a banner on a light pole downtown. Friends and family can have one made in a loved one’s honor if they served in any military branch. Applications are due by the end of March,  costs $100, and it is flown for three years. Banners go up in mid-May before Memorial Day, and will stay up through Veterans Day in November. 

“Last year, we didn't have any on Main Street because Main Street was under construction. This year, Main Street was back and available,” Village President Timothy Nugent said. “And so they'll will be placed around town and Route 50. And actually, hopefully, we can fill every light pole that we have in the community with hometown hero banners because they really look nice. And it's a good way to honor people that served in the military.”