March 5, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Election Survey: Ogden Village Board

JIM ACKLIN
1. Why did you decide to run for school board?
I ran initially and continue to run because I would like to make a positive difference in our community.

2. What is the biggest challenge facing the district?
I think the biggest challenge facing the village will continue to be the upgrading of an antiquated drainage system. The village has made great strides in the last few years, but we still have a ways to go.

3. What are your goals for the next four years?
Goals for the next four years would include: completing the drainage system upgrade, adding more business in a controlled fashion, adding subdivisions for additional housing in a controlled fashion, and a general cleanup of property along the rails to trails path through town.

4. How would you describe the actual job of a school board member?
The role of a board member is to help run the village in an efficient and fiscally responsible manner. Decisions must be made based on what is best for the community as a whole, regardless of personal feelings regarding a given situation.

5. What do you want the public to know about you?
Although I was not raised in Ogden, I have lived here for 40 years as of this August, and so consider myself an “Ogden guy.” We chose to raise our three children here, and I retired as superintendent from St. Joseph-Ogden High School. I could not think of a better community to have lived and raised a family.

Banner
Related Posts

SJO School Board Candidate Susan McLain Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

5 Questions with Republican caucus candidate Matt Wolfersberger

December 2, 2024

December 2, 2024

1. What made you want to run? My original plan was to step aside at the end of my term,...

Get to know Emily Harms.

April 1, 2025

April 1, 2025

Emily is running for Multi-Township Tax Assessor. 1. Can you provide us a little biographical information? My name is Emily...

Richards hopes to make difference as Homer mayor

April 6, 2021

April 6, 2021

Jeremy Richards has plans for Homer.  That is why he is running for mayor in the April 6 election.  “I...

Server issue resolved in Champaign County

November 5, 2024

November 5, 2024

Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons says a system failure that led to voting machines at polling places not working has...

Get to know Greg Smith

March 22, 2025

March 22, 2025

Greg Smith is running for St. Joseph Township Trustee. Biographical information My name is Greg Smith, I am a current...

Cummings hopes to continue work as trustee

December 7, 2020

December 7, 2020

Village Trustee Terri Cummings has big goals for the village. Short term, Cummings hopes to contribute to the betterment of...

What to know about the proposed sales-tax increase

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

Champaign County elected officials are asking voters to approve a sales-tax increase. Officials estimate the sales-tax increase would generate $7...

Get to know Lindsay Rubach

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Lindsay is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?As an Educator...

Cunningham wants to help Homer grow

April 6, 2021

April 6, 2021

Ray Cunningham feels he has unfinished business.  Cunningham is running for reelection as Homer’s mayor on April 6.  “I am...

Know what’s on your ballot

October 10, 2024

October 10, 2024

ADVISORY QUESTIONS On the ballot on Nov. 5, voters in Champaign will vote on three state wide advisory questions.The first...

St. Joseph Grade School Candidate Surveys

April 1, 2019

April 1, 2019

There are three people running for three seats on the St. Joseph Grade School Board. Jen Wagner Why are you...

‘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....

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...

SJO School Board Candidate Kevin Taylor Q and A

March 30, 2019

March 30, 2019

There are five candidates running for four open seats on the SJO School Board. Why are you running for school...

Comments
Leave a Reply