March 16, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Live at Ogden Village Board, June 3, 2021

We are live in Ogden. Discussing the village resident who has four dogs according to his neighbor.

The resident says there is noise issues and smell concerns. He also feels the neighbor is acting in a threatening manner.

The village does have an ordinance saying the residents can only have three dogs.

I love listening to village boards explain to residents there really isn’t a way to enforce their ordinances beyond taking them to court because it really makes no sense. Why have ordinances if there is no real way to enforce them? It has to be super frustrating for residents and village board members.

Non homerule municipalities have a lot more ability to enforce their ordinances. Homerule can basically only send letters and take people to court which costs a lot of money.

The resident is telling the board to get a backbone and enforce the ordinances on the books.

SUSAN MONTE Is here from regional planning. I love Susan. She is so so so so so detailed.

She’s discussing hazard mitigation plans. It’s how to prepare for a disaster to minimize the impact. If you adopt the plan the community becomes eligible for grant funding.
They approved it.

They hired Mazie Ronk as a library clerk.


They approved the appropriation ordinance which is what they can spend, not what they will spend during the upcoming fiscal year.

They are discussing a drainage project now.

Approving movie in the park on August. 27. “It will kick off Kelly’s Car Show.” Sue said. Discussing a car-themed movie.

Discussing lighting in town.

Skating signs are still up, No survey has been done yet and the fire hydrants aren’t painted.
Discussing putting rocks around the building. The roof has been put on the dugout at the ballfield


Water Survey will be taken by July 1.

Discussing maybe doing a newsletter with the water survey.

Martin Hood is doing the audit and had the same “fraud mitigation question” they have had for years. Basically, the village doesn’t have enough employees and will get dinged. Every small town in the are also gets this “mark” on their audit.

JIm Haan has been doing research on what property is commercially available in the village. The former barbershop and land near Ogden Metal works is available.

Discussing the old bank building and how it is a safety hazard. There are broken windows, feral cats and there isn’t a floor in the back half of the building. Part of the roof is missing. #OOPS.

Discussing the car show and the Ogden Street Fest. They will have a volunteer meeting soon to see who wants to help.

Discussing the village website and the payment that is due. $85.92 per year.

Discussing open meetings act and the beautication meeting. Three board members means the meeting needs to be posted because it’s a quorum of members is okay.

In other towns, two members can’t even meet because they have committees and the members make up a committee quorum. Fun facts.

Meeting over.



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