January 26, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

‘Wanting to serve this community has been my passion’

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges cares about St. Joseph.


It is why she is running for reelection tonight at the Republican Caucus.


“St. Joseph has been my home for the majority of my life,” she said. “My roots to this community go back many years, so wanting to serve this community has been my passion. I would like my fellow residents to know that I’m one of you and wanting what’s best for our community is my top priority as your Mayor.  I’m blessed to live in such a great community and thankful to call it my home.  I look forward to sharing a smile with each and everyone of you hopefully in the very near future.”


Fruhling-Voges said as a trustee and now mayor she has always wanted to do her part to see that the village would be a great place to call home for many generations to come.


The pandemic has changed the Mayor’s short-term focus to making sure her residents stay healthy and the village does what they can to help small businesses. She is also focused on keeping the sewer plant expansion on target and planning ahead for more stormwater improvements throughout the village.


“My list is quite extensive of things that I would like to see improved, updated and planned,” she said.


Her number one long-term goal is to someday have a community building to serve the needs of village residents.


“The best part of serving the community is being able to look around and feel proud to know that I had a small part of the teamwork to make those accomplishments possible,” she said.


Fruhling-Voges said one of the most challenging parts of her job is not having enough hours to move projects forward in a consistent, efficient and timely fashion. 


“The Mayor’s position currently takes on many administrative responsibilities that require daily attention,” she said.  “My role as mayor should be with things such as; making myself available to the residents, visiting with the youth in the community, advocating for the village to new businesses, and working with our current businesses to help them succeed.”


Fruhling-Voges said that is why she thinks now is the time for the village to hire an administrator.


“ I get so excited thinking about the potential of this great community, but the challenge is keeping things moving forward.  My team of employees and trustees do a great job, but having someone in place to pull it all together consistently will give each of us the ability to accomplish more for the Village of St. Joseph.”

Photo by Bryce Herrin

Banner
Related Posts

Public works working to clear snow

February 3, 2022

February 3, 2022

In a normal snow event it can take seven to eight hours to plow the Village of St. Joseph. This...

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,...

Mayor discusses administrators pay increase

December 18, 2024

December 18, 2024

The Village Administrator of St. Joseph is getting a raise. The annual salary for the position will be increased to...

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...

Ogden Rose Library gets a facelift

September 6, 2022

September 6, 2022

The Ogden Rose Library is getting a facelift. The library is undergoing the first part of a remodel.Currently, new flooring...

‘I’m so excited for this journey’ Schlueter to open restaurant in former Scratch location

October 10, 2022

October 10, 2022

40 Eighty-Eight is coming to St. Joseph. Owner Christian Schlueter said he chose the name for his new restaurant because...

Abbeyfield property for sale

February 8, 2019

February 8, 2019

The former Abbeyfield building in St. Joseph could have a new use soon. “We have several people looking at the...

‘We can’t wait to be back’

April 8, 2020

April 8, 2020

Amy Gibbons, the owner of Salon 192, is urging people not to do anything rash. That means resisting the urge...

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...

SJO School Board Candidate Kathy McCormick 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...

Get to know Jim O’Brien

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Jim is running for the St. Joseph Grade School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?  I am...

5 Question Friday with Drama Director Chandler Dalton

October 28, 2022

October 28, 2022

The SJO drama department is producing “The Internet is Distract—Oh look a kitten!” Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at...

Where to see Fireworks

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Area residents have numerous chances to see fireworks this weekend. This post is sponsored by Island Travel Group and Events....

Village reminds residents to pick up after their animals

October 6, 2020

October 6, 2020

Poop is a problem in St. Joseph—dog poop that is. Village of St. Joseph Office Manager Julie Hendrickson said that...

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...

Comments
Leave a Reply