Having enjoyable on Illinois 1 | Mayor with new concepts, neighborhood pleasure blooming in Rossville | Native News

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ROSSVILLE — New Mayor Phillip Black is aware of his place as a village official.

He beforehand was a trustee and have become mayor in May after 12-year village chief Richard Queen stepped down.

Black stated he doesn’t see himself as a politician however a civil servant.

“I am a custodian of the town. We are stewards,” he stated. “Our job is to serve the community. We’re not here for our own glory, if you will. I see my role as making sure that we’re doing the right things for the town.”

He stated everybody may not all the time agree with all the choices, however overarchingly, he desires to verify the neighborhood is best on the finish of his four-year time period than when he took workplace. If he will get one other time period, that’s nice, he stated, and he’ll preserve following a plan.

“We can make some really great things happen here,” he stated. “We’re a tight community. It’s a friendly community. It’s a safe community. And now we just need to level it up; and I think we can, and we have the people who want to.”

He’s had a number of residents proceed to ask what they’ll do to assist.

Black, who not too long ago took time to present a golf-cart tour of the village, stated his thoughts strikes 100 miles an hour as mayor as a result of he’s so captivated with his hometown.

Now 56, Black left Rossville at 18 to attend Illinois State University. He went on to his profession and got here again due to COVID-19, proudly owning a third-generation household dwelling.

“This is still my home and I’m absolutely passionate about it,” he stated. “And my husband (Eric Thomas from Virginia) is like ‘this is my home,’” Black stated. “He now considers this, this is his home.”

All within the household

Black stated they’ve made the aware resolution that they’re not shifting once more. Thomas is now a fourth-grade instructor within the faculty district after working for a similar cybersecurity firm Black was employed with.

Black stated it may be shocking {that a} rural Midwestern farm city not solely has a homosexual mayor, however a homosexual married mayor.

“We like it here. I fortunately have family here,” Black stated.

He lives so near his mother, he stated he and she will be able to see into one another’s properties. His uncle is subsequent door to her, a cousin is a pair doorways down, one other cousin lives behind him and different cousins and an aunt and uncle are all close by. More relations are on the opposite facet of city.

They can have 30 folks at household occasions.

Black stated a number of sides of his household have been right here for no less than 100 years and owned companies right here.

He introduced Hub City Media, a cybersecurity firm, alongside Route 1 in Rossville in an outdated financial institution and the constructing subsequent to it. He was the chief working officer, and now not works for them.

To-do listing

As mayor, Black is pleased with steps taken on enhancements already and itching to sort out a number of different points.

Among them:

— Fixing roads and changing lacking sidewalks.

— Expanding a newly established neighborhood backyard led by Trustee Renee Ward.

— Expanding Bobcat Cove, which was an undeveloped space coated in bushes a few 12 months in the past. The village is within the early levels of finishing a strolling path and coated pavilions round a stocked pond that can add new lighting and benches.

— He’d like Rossville to comply with Watseka’s lead and add navy veteran banners, with companies serving to to sponsor them.

— Village officers even have talked about inspirational quote signage alongside Route 1 and past.

‘This town has charm’

Black has additionally established new village board committees, reminiscent of for neighborhood outreach and beautification, with a brand new tree alternative program. The Rossville Community Organization decorates a gazebo alongside Route 1, and he additionally plans to begin a “Letter from the Mayor” characteristic.

Other steps the board is taking embrace placing in requirements and tips for photo voltaic and wind farm initiatives.

Black stated he isn’t towards renewable power, however he’s anti-scamming and needs the village to look out for residents.

Building new properties to draw residents is also a purpose for the city of 1,162.

Black’s profession has taken him everywhere in the nation, however Rossville has all the time felt like dwelling.

“This town has a charm,” he stated.

Residents even have enjoyable at annual occasions.

August was Founders and Family month, that had numerous occasions together with a avenue dance, duck race and youngsters’s actions.

Other occasions embrace placing up flags for Memorial Day, a giant July 4 celebration with a large water slide hill within the park, a enterprise fall competition which is Oct. 4 this 12 months, Halloween parade, and there’s additionally “Christmas in the Village” together with a parade of lighted floats. The Rossville Community Organization additionally decorates Christman Park for the vacations.