Kankakee Times

Diana Motel is pushing for a local boycott on businesses owned by those who are in favor of the proposed Gotion plant in Manteno.

“I am a customer at Fisher Gentry Eye Care. As you know Dr. Emily Fisher is on the village planning board,” Motel said on Facebook.

“I have emailed to them to see what her stance is on Gotion. I know some have mentioned they will not stop going to a company based on one person’s actions but I personally will not continue to support a business with someone who is not concerned about our health and safety. This is just my opinion and wanted to share. I emailed on Friday afternoon and just did a follow up email as I haven’t gotten a response yet.”

Motel, a graduate of Kankakee Community College and Illinois State University, has been vocal in opposing the proposed Gotion plant in Manteno.

The controversy surrounding the proposed facility has divided the community of Manteno, with most residents standing against it. A poll conducted by Wirepoints/Cor-Strategies revealed that slightly more than a quarter of respondents favored the facility, and out of these, only 7% strongly supported it.

The call for boycotting local businesses stems from Manteno's "No Gotion" activists' recent victories with successful recalls of pro-Gotion township officials in Green Township, Michigan. The officials had voted to permit Gotion, a Chinese company, into their county as reported by Kankakee Times. Residents voiced dissatisfaction with officials' lack of responsiveness over their concerns regarding the planned Gotion plant. Similar movements opposing the proposed lithium-ion car battery plant associated with the Chinese Communist Party are gathering pace in Manteno as locals feel unheard by Mayor Tim Nugent, Village Board and Village of Manteno Planning Commission.