April 14, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Mondays with the Mayor… Ray Cunningham

Every Monday we will ask a Mayor from an area village to answer three questions. This week it is Homer Mayor Ray Cunningham.


What was the village’s biggest accomplishment in 2018?

I believe we have three accomplishments this year that stand out. The first is the purchase of 13.8 acres adjacent to the village hall. This was due to the generosity of Carl Goad who left the village $3.6 million and from the interest of this fund we purchased land when it came up for sale. Our second accomplishment was the construction of our new playground next to the village hall. This was due to the hard work of board member Joe Bear who had the vision to create the playground. Many volunteers gave time and money toward this playground and we are grateful for their efforts. The village completed the acquisition of the Grand Army of the Republic cemetery which had been administered so well by the Homer post of the American Legion. Our village board stepped up to the responsibility and the first year of operation has worked out well due to the hard work of the new cemetery board and the volunteers who mow and maintain the GAR cemetery.

What are you hoping to accomplish in 2019?
2019 brings the village challenges as we look to plan for the revitalization of downtown and work at resolving drainage issues. We want to work on the downtown infrastructure with an engineering firm to come up with a plan to replace the sidewalks and develop a new look for Main Street. Drainage issues have been a longstanding issue in Homer. We have been working with Farnsworth Group to give us options on resolving drainage issues.

What is the most important thing people should know about your village?
People should know that our village board is working hard to solve issues and work on improving Homer for families and businesses.  

Banner
Related Posts

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Oct. 25, 2022

October 25, 2022

October 25, 2022

I’ll give you one guess what’s on the agenda. GOLF CARTS. Before the meeting, the board is discussing gubernatorial candidates....

Philo Exchange Bank holds meeting to address concerns

March 1, 2022

March 1, 2022

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges wants residents near a proposed location for Philo Exchange Bank to know she is not in favor...

Live at Ogden Village Board, Oct. 7, 2021

October 7, 2021

October 7, 2021

There are five people in the audience at Ogden tonight. This never happens. Unless they are discussing chickens. Two are...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 11

April 11, 2023

April 11, 2023

The mayor is doing a proclamation declaring April as Autism Awareness Month. Doing the general stuff they always do- bills,...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024

April 23, 2024

Presentation on a potential community building.Todd Hitt and Jim Page In 2018-19 Tami and Jim Page put together a group...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Jan. 9, 2024

January 9, 2024

January 9, 2024

MX electric is sponsoring our live blogs. Relax and call Max! They are discussing a bid for tree clearing. This...

Village reminds residents to pick up after their animals

October 6, 2020

October 6, 2020

Poop is a problem in St. Joseph—dog poop that is. Village of St. Joseph Office Manager Julie Hendrickson said that...

Sewer rate increase to take place in May

April 26, 2023

April 26, 2023

St. Joseph residents can expect a sewer rate increase in May. Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges said the rate increase is going...

‘Wanting to serve this community has been my passion’

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges cares about St. Joseph. It is why she is running for reelection tonight at the Republican Caucus....

Talk of the Town….. with Gabe Clements

September 5, 2019

September 5, 2019

Every week we ask a village trustee, mayor, school board member or administrator three questions. This week we talked to...

Philo Exchange Bank looks to expand in St. Joseph

February 23, 2022

February 23, 2022

Philo Exchange Bank wants to be an active part of St. Joseph. The bank has entered into a purchase agreement...

Live at VIllage Board July 26, 2022

July 26, 2022

July 26, 2022

Rachael Schott and fourth grader Lana Schott are here to discuss a downtown Christmas tree. Lana is presenting her idea...

Village to hold public hearing on marijuana dispensaries

July 26, 2019

July 26, 2019

The Village of St. Joseph will hold a public hearing to discuss allowing marijuana dispensaries in town. The hearing will...

Village purchases 25 acres of land near sewer plant

September 12, 2023

September 12, 2023

$750,000. 25 acres. In July the Village of St. Joseph entered into a purchase agreement with the Pritchard family of...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, June 11, 2024

June 11, 2024

June 11, 2024

My computer is back in action. The last meeting in May it had some technical issues. On the agenda tonight:...

Comments
Leave a Reply