April 24, 2025 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Talk of the Town with Royal Mayor Bob Vilven

Every week we are going to ask a village official or school administrator to answer three questions. This week it is Royal Mayor Bob Vilven.

What was Royal’s biggest accomplishment in 2018?

The biggest accomplishment for 2018 was the gain of about 3.5 acres added to the East side of the village; along with a water main extension eastward to 2700 East Road. This is the main road to the interstate and to Ogden. Along with this main extension, we added 3 fire hydrants. This puts a hydrant on both east-west ends of town. This is a great advantage for rural fire usage should it be needed.
 

What do you want to accomplish in 2019?
This coming year we will be focused on a recently approved (state EPA) small septic system; designed for those communities that need improvements in their business district where leach fields are not attainable, due to being small lots and land locked. This is being designed as a solution for our business districts needs for growth and modernization. This will be a prototype for the state. It is currently approved for usage in Indiana and Ohio. We are looking into grant monies for this project.
 

What is the most important thing about Royal that people may not know?
The most important thing about Royal isn’t just one item. For a village of about 300, we can still support a bank, a very large grain elevator operation, the finest school district in the county, a wonderful church, an American Legion & Sons of the Legion along with multiple small businesses. With the aforementioned small septic system, we are drawing in a new restaurant. Our village property assessment tax is one of the lowest in the county at $.061 per hundred evaluation.
 
 
This will be my final tenure as village president. In April we will be electing a new village president. I have served for 28 years in this position. It’s time for some new blood.


Banner
Related Posts

Village expected to accept bid for Boy Scout Building

September 13, 2022

September 13, 2022

The village is expected to accept a bid for the former Boy Scout Building tonight. Roche and Heather Cain submitted...

Live at Ogden Village Board March 4, 2021

March 4, 2021

March 4, 2021

Tonight we will find out the fate of the Ogden Easter Egg Hunt. Philo, St, Joseph and Tuscola have canceled...

Village asking for feedback on liquor license

January 25, 2021

January 25, 2021

The Village of St. Joseph is asking residents for feedback regarding a proposed new liquor license. During a Jan. 18...

Live at St. Joseph Village board, July 27

July 27, 2021

July 27, 2021

Reg Ankrom is here discussing electrical aggregation and is saying the village should take a break from aggregation for a...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Jan. 25

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022

Tonight at St. Joseph Village Board we will get some honorary street designations, a discussion and vote regarding special event...

Live at Village Board, April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023

We are here. On the agenda, the festival committee, the Fourth of July parade, outdoor dining for Roch’s and El...

Live at VIllage Board July 26, 2022

July 26, 2022

July 26, 2022

Rachael Schott and fourth grader Lana Schott are here to discuss a downtown Christmas tree. Lana is presenting her idea...

SJO soccer to have new home in 2023, while issues arise about current field maintenance

July 14, 2022

July 14, 2022

The St. Joseph-Ogden High School soccer team is set to have a new home field for the 2023 season. SJO...

LIVE AT ST. JOSEPH VILLAGE BOARD, JULY 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

July 25, 2023

I am here so you don’t have to be. This agenda is super short- lots of special event permits and...

Village says to ‘opt out’

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges wants St. Joseph residents to know their options. At a recent village board meeting, Fruhling-Voges said that...

Village purchases 25 acres of land near sewer plant

September 12, 2023

September 12, 2023

$750,000. 25 acres. In July the Village of St. Joseph entered into a purchase agreement with the Pritchard family of...

Email billing to start next month for sewer

July 28, 2022

July 28, 2022

Starting next month St. Joseph residents can get their sewer bills in their email. The paperwork to sign up is...

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Nov. 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

November 12, 2024

I am going to be honest. I am watching on Youtube because I have the plague and am trying not...

Ogden Live Blog, May 6, 2021

May 6, 2021

May 6, 2021

I am four minutes late and I feel like I missed a lot. There are some neighbor complaints going on....

Live at St. Joseph Village Board, Feb. 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

February 27, 2024

Thanks to MX Electric for sponsoring our live blogs. I am 11 minutes behind but they are going over the...

Comments
Leave a Reply