December 3, 2025 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

Landers to be honored by village

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Aaron Landers dedicated his life to serving others. For 24 years, Landers served as a University of Illinois Police Officer...

LIVE AT ST. JOSEPH VILLAGE BOARD, JULY 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. This agenda is super short- lots of special event permits and...

Live Blog for April 27, 2021

April 27, 2021

April 27, 2021

I am here at St. Joseph Village Board.No one else is here besides IT Guru Mike Sennert.May 5 is bike...

Cooper looks to make a difference in Ogden

April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021

Kelly Cooper wants to make a difference in Ogden.  That is why she ran for village board in 2017 and...

Hackler to be honored with street sign

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Former Mayor B.J. Hackler used to spend a lot of time on Lincoln and Main Streets in St. Joseph. If...

Village installs crosswalk signs on Rt. 150

June 8, 2022

June 8, 2022

Cross Rt. 150 just got a little safer. The Village of St. Joseph recently installed lighted push-button-activated crosswalk signs near...

Community members attend board meeting to support Assistant Public Works Director

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

On April 29, dozens of people attended a village board meeting and signed up to praise a village employee—Luke Fisher....

Live at St. Joseph Village Board July 12, 2022

July 12, 2022

July 12, 2022

Jim Page, Synthia Snydor, Tracy Sharp, Craig Harper and Mike Voges are here with the usual crew. MX electric sponsors...

St. Joseph VIllage Board, Feb. 8

February 8, 2022

February 8, 2022

I am way late to Village Board but I am here. They are discussing snow plowing and how people got...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Aug. 10

August 10, 2021

August 10, 2021

I was 15 minutes late. Village board is packed. Not totally sure why but its public comment time! MY favorite...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, June 28, 2022

June 28, 2022

June 28, 2022

I am here early and we are discussing the lines to vote today. Today at 5 p.m. there was a...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board on March 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

Bills. Fun paperwork stuff. No public comment. This could be a short meeting. Luke Fisher is getting an employee appreciation...

Live at Ogden Village Board July 8

July 8, 2021

July 8, 2021

The Matanky Group is here saying they want to bring in a lot of business here to Ogden. He said...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board

October 8, 2019

October 8, 2019

The past few meetings have been packed… not this one. Only two audience members. They approved the minutes, are going...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Nov. 9, 2021

November 9, 2021

November 9, 2021

I am here at village board. Terri Cummings, Jeff Van Buskirk are not here. Wagner is on zoom. The Hitts...

Comments
Leave a Reply