New Mayor Hopes to Promote Tamaroa

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Mayor-elect Curtis J. Stube has big plans for his hometown. He plans to promote Tamaroa through the internet, making use of social networking sites, such as MySpace.

"My hopes would be to attract more people from neighboring communities to stop, shop and visit Tamaroa," Stube said.

Stube, 39, is a graduate of Tamaroa High School and SIU-C. He works as a machinist. He is a lifetime member of both the VFW and the NRA.

He also hopes to update the signs welcoming people to the village and promises careful stewardship of the upcoming expansion of the village's water department. Tamaroa is working to establish a direct connection to the Rend Lake Water District. The Village currently purchases water from the City of Du Quoin. Tamaroa is also absorbing the 204 Water District and working to connect 35 or 36 homes that do not currently have municipal water service. Total cost of the project is estimated to be $1.5 million. Bonds will be sold to cover the cost. Construction should begin in April or May and will take three or four months.

Other ideas for the village include recycling and a wi-fi spot.

"I would like to thank all board members, past and present, for their service," Stube said in a written statement. "Several people in town have expressed an interest in bringing back a Police Department. This is something we have had in the past and something that the new board could look into."

The citizens of Tamaroa also passed the non-home rule tax referendum. The funds generated can be used for a new Police Department.