March 29, 2024 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Haan hopes to help Ogden grow

Jim Haan wants to help Ogden grow. 

“Ogden is a safe, affordable, and friendly town and I want to keep it that way,” he said. “I also see a lot of potential for economic growth in our community, specifically related to I-74 traffic and our proximity to Champaign/Urbana.”

Haan is running for re-election in the April 6 election.  He previously served one term as village trustee. 

Haan said he has long and short term goals for the village they include maintaining and updating the village website, OgdenIL.com and advising the board on financial matters using his education and experience in auditing and accounting.  

Haan’s long term goals include bringing new businesses to Ogden. 

Haan said the most rewarding part of being a trustee has been getting to know his fellow residents, listening to their concerns and issues, and being a voice for the community on the village board.  

Haan and his wife, Raina, have three kids.  Lincoln, 3, and almost one year old twins named Jensen and Quincy.

“Life is very busy, but we are grateful for good health and hot coffee,” Haan said.  

When he isn’t serving as a trustee Haan likes to exercise and won the inaugural Ogden 5K in 2018. 

“Most likely because there were so few participants,” he said.  

He also enjoys learning languages and spending time with his family.

Haan said serving on the board has taught him that diligent research is required when presenting topics. 

During his time on the board, Haan was instrumental in creating a way for residents to pay their water and sewer bills online. 

“I researched and advised the board to purchase software with the capability of permitting regular ACH payments for users to pay their water/sewer bills,” he said.  “I found a software that was approximately half as expensive as competing software options, and the yearly maintenance/consulting fee is 50 percent of our previous software’s annual fees.”  

Haan said there is no direct or indirection transactional cost to residents to use the program.  

Other communities often utilize programs with a surcharge per individual transactions.

“Within the first year we have more than 80 users out of around 300 total,” he said.  

Banner
Related Posts

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Jan. 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

I will live blog tonight. Pavlov media will give a presentation. Susan Monte from Regional Planning will be there. We...

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...

Acklin named acting mayor of Ogden

November 3, 2023

November 3, 2023

Jim Acklin is the acting mayor of Ogden. Acklin was selected at the Nov. 2 meeting by the Ogden Village...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Sept. 12, 2023

September 12, 2023

September 12, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. You can also watch on Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCaZTvOv74EG4Sag_LrRDdcQ Dan Davis and Jim...

Mondays with the Mayor… Ray Cunningham

January 22, 2019

January 22, 2019

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

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 St. Joseph Village Board, Feb. 14, 2023

February 14, 2023

February 14, 2023

Happy Valentines Day. I was two minutes late and we are already done with the investments. Wes Taylor is here....

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

January 23, 2024

January 23, 2024

I was just a tad late and they are discussing solar. They are getting a presentation from Keystone who builds...

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...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board Oct. 26

October 26, 2021

October 26, 2021

I am live at village board so you don’t have to be. Visit Champaign County is here. I feel like...

Live at Ogden Village Board April 1, 2021

April 1, 2021

April 1, 2021

The board paid some bills and decided to appoint Dekoda Burris to the zoning board of appeals. Discussing the hold...

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...

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. 23, 2022

August 23, 2022

August 23, 2022

I am here with five people in the audience. #hugecrowd Plus, the usual Mr. Sennert doing IT and Mr. Miller...

St. Joseph Public Works quarantining

December 9, 2020

December 9, 2020

The St. Joseph Public Works Department is quarantining until the first of next week. Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges made the decision...

Comments
Leave a Reply