January 7, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Cummings hopes to continue work as trustee

Village Trustee Terri Cummings has big goals for the village.


Short term, Cummings hopes to contribute to the betterment of the community. She also hopes to support the local and small businesses who have a positive impact on the Village by increasing local jobs, increasing our tax base and helping give our community identity.


Long term, her goals include projects she describes as challenging but rewarding.


“I plan to support the Trustees, Mayor and Village employees as we proceed with the work for the sewer upgrade/expansion project,” she said. “The Board just recently approved moving forward to hire a Village Administrator. The Board felt it is important as our Village continues to grow and build a community we are proud to call home that we look at finding a professional who can lend their knowledge and experience in the areas of financial management, administration, and personnel practices to partner with us.”


Cummings said a village administrator handles the day to day management, prepares budgets, and manages human resources.


Cummings was appointed in May to fill a trustee vacancy left by Bob Rigdon and is running at the Republican Caucus tonight for re-election.


She first learned about politics as a third-grader living in Massachusetts.


“On our bus rides home we would sit on the right side or the left side of the bus, according to your candidate of choice, and would cheer and chant all the way home,” she said.


That early exposure to politics set the path for Cummings to agree to serve as a village trustee- a job she takes very seriously.


“I have spent the past few months working hard to learn the complexities of our local government issues that make our community a great place to live, work and visit,” she said. “I look forward to the opportunity to continue as a contributing member of the Mayor’s team.”


Cummings said she is thankful for everyone who has served their community before her and for the residents who are currently serving the village.


“I can honestly say that our current board and employees deeply care about the village,” she said. “They work tirelessly to do their best and do what’s right for our community.”

Photo by Bryce Herrin

Banner
Related Posts

10 things you don’t know about me… Yasmin Rietmann

March 27, 2019

March 27, 2019

Yasmin Rietmann helps customers at St. Joseph Automotive in addition to raising her three kids and much more. This post...

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...

Family hoping for second miracle

February 7, 2019

February 7, 2019

The Rosnett family is hoping for a second miracle. Earlier this year, Angelique and Cole Rosnett were faced with an...

10 things you don’t know about me… Vickie Reese

July 3, 2019

July 3, 2019

Every week we ask a village resident to tell us 10 interesting things about themselves. This week we asked Vickie...

‘Girl Scouts is not all arts and crafts’

January 19, 2023

January 19, 2023

” Hannah Fox wanted to help feed her community. And for her Girl Scout Gold Award she attempted to do...

10 things you don’t know about me… Joe Hackney

September 27, 2024

September 27, 2024

1. What is a tv or movie you could watch over and over and why? Lately, I’m really looking forward to...

Kids Say….

May 2, 2019

May 2, 2019

Every week we ask five students from a local school to answer a question on a worksheet. This week the...

Live at Ogden Village Board, May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

Dollar General is here to talk about what their new store layout will look like on the Pink Pig land....

Fruhling-Voges lays out Phase 3 plans for St. Joseph

May 29, 2020

May 29, 2020

St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges wants St. Joseph residents to be patient with one another as the State of Illinois...

SJO student creates program to help the food insecure

December 23, 2021

December 23, 2021

Kirsten Schaefer wants to help feed her neighbors. Schaefer, a junior at St. Joseph-Ogden High School, created the Feeding Your...

‘Helping them reach their potential is humbling and rewarding at the same time’

January 26, 2023

January 26, 2023

A performance today will culminate one of the most powerful artistic and personal experiences Justin Lee has had in his...

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...

Get to know Alicia Maxey

March 12, 2025

March 12, 2025

Alicia is running for St. Joseph-Ogden School Board. What motivated you to run for school board?I have lived in the...

Talk of the Town with Superintendent Todd Pence

May 27, 2019

May 27, 2019

Every week we ask a village mayor, trustee, school administrator or board of education member three questions. This week is...

Heritage marching band modifies season

July 15, 2020

July 15, 2020

The Heritage Performing Arts department announced that their marching band season has been canceled. Band Director Justin Lee said that...

Comments
Leave a Reply