Will County Gazette

Mike Rose, Principal Partner and Founder of Location Finders International (LFI), which owns the property planned for the Gardens of Frankfort development, said that Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle is obstructing progress on the 160-unit manufactured home community that has already been in the works for two decades.  

"We were told by Mayor Ogle that there would be no obstruction, that we could proceed 'the Frankfort Way,'" Rose told Will County Gazette. 

"But that's not what’s happened at all. This development has faced nothing but roadblocks, delays and a lack of clear communication. (Ogle) made promises, and it’s become clear to us that he has not kept them. It’s a shame."

Frankfort Mayor Keith Ogle | Facebook / Keith Ogle

The Gardens of Frankfort development, located near the existing Gateway manufactured home community previously developed by Rose, aims to offer affordable homes ranging from 1,500 to 1,600 square feet.

However, the village has raised concerns about its sewer system’s ability to handle the additional flow from the new development, an issue that has stalled progress for years. 

A 2003 court ruling granted the development conditional approval for water and sewer connections but the project has encountered significant obstacles in securing the required approvals.

Additionally, a downstream capacity study was agreed to by the village in 2023 but it has yet to yield a final report, further delaying the project.

"The negligence of Mayor Keith Ogle has put the citizens of Frankfort at risk," Rose said. "Over the years, Frankfort has had multiple opportunities to address their sewer system issues, but under Ogle's leadership, they’ve ignored it. And now they’re blocking the development that could solve part of the problem by adding capacity to the system. This is simply wrong."

Rose also pointed to other developments that have been similarly thwarted under Ogle’s leadership, including a $35 million hotel project that was proposed for downtown Frankfort. 

"It’s the same story every time—businesses and developers come to Frankfort with solid plans, but under Ogle’s leadership, they’re either delayed indefinitely or shut down,” he said. “It’s as if there’s a systemic issue with leadership here."

Rose reflected on his long history of development work in the region, mentioning his previous experience developing the Gateway Mobile Home Park and other successful projects. 

"Under previous mayors, including Jim Holland, we faced challenges, but we always knew where we stood,” he said. “Holland wasn’t afraid to say when something wasn’t going to work, but at least he was upfront about it. With Ogle, it’s been nothing but games and delays."

Rose expressed additional concerns about Ogle's leadership, particularly his authoritative style.    

"The mayor likes control—he wants to keep all the information to himself, and if you don’t play by his rules, you’re out. It’s not about making Frankfort a better place anymore; it’s about his own personal power," Rose said. "The trustees don’t even have all the facts to make informed decisions because he keeps them in the dark. It’s like he wants to control everything from behind the scenes."

Rose expressed frustration over what he called the "culture of secrecy" within the village, where even trustees are discouraged from communicating openly about village matters. 

"It’s not democracy when one person controls all the information and tells everyone else to keep quiet," he said. “It’s a recipe for failure, and we’ve seen it firsthand with this development.” 

LFI, others throw support behind challenger Justin Ozinga in April 1 mayoral election 

With the Gardens of Frankfort development on hold, Rose along with his son and partner, Dan Rose, who serves as Leasing and Acquisitions Associate for LFI, have pledged their support for Justin Ozinga.

Ozinga, a Frankfort resident and co-owner of Ozinga Bros., Inc., is challenging Ogle in the April 1 election.

Justin Ozinga (Facebook / Justin Ozinga)

Dan Rose has been vocal in his backing of Ozinga, expressing a desire for new leadership that will prioritize transparency and collaboration over the current administration’s "broken promises and divisive approach."

“I just want everything out in the open,” he told the Will County Gazette. “I’ve talked to (Ozinga) enough to know that his heart is in the right place. He’s got no political aspirations—it’s just ridiculous what’s going on.”

Similar to his father, Dan Rose has been outspoken about his dissatisfaction with Mayor Keith Ogle's handling of the situation, claiming that Ogle's administration has consistently delayed and obstructed the Gardens of Frankfurt development. 

Despite approval from the 2003 court ruling that allowed the development to proceed contingent on necessary utilities, the approval process has continued to stall.

"We’ve already fought for our rights here, gone through the process,” Dan Rose said. “Now we’re dealing with these ridiculous roadblocks. It’s a system that’s broken, and someone needs to fix it."

For LFI, the issue isn't just about the Gardens of Frankfort project, but about the broader climate of development and governance in the village.

"It feels like tyranny—using soft power to win outside the legal process, then berating the local community,” Dan Rose said. “That’s really what’s happening here."

He describes this as a "pattern of neglect and poor communication."

"You know, we do this all over the country, and there’s no way to tell at first if someone is just playing games with you," Dan Rose said. “But after years of being played, you can spot it. And that’s what was happening here.” 

He argues that the Gardens of Frankfort development, despite its setbacks, remains a promising project for those seeking affordable housing in the area. 

“Our project will stand on its own merits,” he said. “Frankfort needs it. There’s a housing shortage here, and people’s property values are skyrocketing, but there’s nowhere for young people or families to move. This development will open up starter homes and relieve some of the pressure. It’s a proven model, and it’ll create space for 160 people. Half of them will likely move from Frankfort, and that’ll free up houses for others who want to stay.”

Dan Rose described early discussions with Ogle, when the mayor assured them there wouldn’t be any issues with securing water and sewer connections. 

“We felt good about it. Then, four years later, he says, ‘Hey, we commissioned a study last year,’ and he first tried to get us to pay for it. It cost over $1 million,” he said. 

The approval process has continued to stall after Ogle pointed to concerns over the village’s sewer system, particularly downstream sewer capacity and stormwater issues.  

LFI recently reviewed a report on the village's sewer system and identified several issues that the village has not addressed.

"When we reviewed it, we thought, ‘my God the whole system is overtaxed!’" Dan Rose said. "You’re going to have sinkholes and all sorts of problems. It’s not a matter of if, but when."

One of the key criticisms is Ogle’s alleged tendency to make it difficult for businesses and developers to succeed in the village. 

According to Dan Rose, this pattern isn’t isolated to LFI but is a pervasive issue for anyone trying to develop in Frankfort. 

"It’s a system that pretends to be reasonable, but when you dig deeper, you realize it’s rigged" Dan Rose said. "It’s not just frustrating, it’s toxic."

He shared his belief that the mayor’s actions have created a climate of fear for local business owners. 

"He strong-arms all the restaurants,” Dan Rose said. “He gets political donations by forcing fundraisers, making everyone comply. It’s a subtle warning: ‘Don't cross me.’"

Rose pointed to a specific example in which a local restaurant owner faced significant delays in opening his business due to what he called Ogle’s “pettiness.” 

"A restaurant owner spent $80,000 redeveloping his property, but the city won’t cooperate,” Dan Rose said. “His parking lot is full, the place is viable, but he’s being burned by the system. He’s afraid of Keith Ogle. And that’s not just this guy; it’s everyone."