December 10, 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

St. Joseph Village Board, June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

June 27, 2023

Special event permit for Pickleball tournament during Community Festival. Proposal is to do a tournament at the festival. Either doing...

Live at the St. Joseph Village TIF public meeting

April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

I am here so you don’t have to be. Nothing is being voted on today. It’s a public comment type...

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....

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...

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...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board Jan. 26, 2021

January 26, 2021

January 26, 2021

We are zooming here tonight. In case you didn’t hear Jack Flash has pulled their request for a pour license...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board

May 12, 2020

May 12, 2020

We are live at St. Joseph Village Board. Terri Cummings is being appointed to fill Bob Rigdon’s trustee position. Four...

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 Feb. 22.2022

February 22, 2022

February 22, 2022

Discussing the proposed location of Philo Bank. Max Painter saying the lot has been vacant for a long time. Tami...

Board to hold hearing on allowing marijuana to be sold within the village

July 24, 2019

July 24, 2019

The St. Joseph Village Board wants to know what its citizens think regarding marijuana dispensaries within the village limits. The...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board

April 28, 2020

April 28, 2020

We are here and zooming in. #safetyfirst Jeff Van Buskirk will be replacing Roy McCarty on the village board. They...

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...

Live at Ogden Village Board, Feb. 10

February 10, 2022

February 10, 2022

I am here so you don’t have to be. Ogden Youth League is going to take place this summer. The...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, May 10

May 10, 2022

May 10, 2022

Me and Sawyer are here at Village Board so you don’t have to be. #dancephotosmadeuslate They discussed the outdoor cafe...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board , Nov. 22, 2022

November 22, 2022

November 22, 2022

Happy Thanksgiving Eve, Eve. Apparently, they buried a time capsule today but no one told me so…. There was no...

Comments
Leave a Reply