VILLAGE VOICE VOLUME 1 ISSUE 50 28 November, 2007   In This Issue: Resignation* Bulletin Board*Next Village Meeting  This Will Represent my last publication of the Village Voice for the Village of Royal Lakes. I will also at this time, tender my resignation as a member of the Board of Trustees, for the Village of Royal Lakes. I have not spoken with Mayor Simmons, or anyone else about the actions that I’m taking at this time. It has been an honor and privilege to have served this community as a board member on two separate terms. The village has made some significant progress in the time that I have been a resident, and I have positive feelings about the future growth of the community. I’m not leaving the community, but I’m retiring from public life. I truthfully feel that with the new water tower, and new Julian Ave. bridge, that are set to come, in the year 2008, Royal Lakes will have achieved more milestones in rising from the ashes of despair. So much has happened since land developer Seymore Goodman abandoned the hundreds of blacks who were lured from St. Louis, MO., and East St. Louis, IL., with the promise for a better life, but were left with horrific living conditions. I have written about a small portion of what so many experienced with pure hardships, and I applaud those who are still here to talk about it. I also want to applaud Mayor Simmons and his wife Christine, for their dedication, and devotion to the community. The Concern Citizens Organization also deserve a round of applause. There is a need for more men in the community to come forward. You have remained invisible to the needs of this community. With the coming of new residents, I invision more help for the few that are keeping this community afloat. I hope that someone among you will pick up the baton in providing a link of communications to the village. And, I’m just one person who can easily be replaced on the board. There is no doubt in my military mind that this community in time will achieve many more measures of success. Many challenges lay ahead, but they can be met with the co-operation of all. For the most part, we have overcome the hardships of the past. The present and future means an investment for independence for this community. The bottom line always comes down to money. If we can donate time and money for other causes, why don’t we put our community first? We shouldn’t ask other communities to do what we can do ourselves. Farewell. BULLETIN BOARD 1. 2008 Village Stickers are available at the Village Hall. Business hours are from 9 AM to 2 PM Mon-Wed-Fri. The price per vehicle is $10.00, & $8.00 for seniors age 55 & older. Stickers purchased after 31 December 2007 are $15.00 and a court imposed fine. 2. The 5500 watt generator being sold to the village by Trustee George Hartley was previously reported to be at a cost of $400. The correct cost is $450. 3. Village residents have the option of paying their water/sewage bill at Citizens Bank of Shipman, or by check or money order at the Village Hall from 9 AM to 2 PM Mon-Wed-Fri. 4. The 4-H Club will have a Christmas Party at 4:30 PM Monday, 03 December 2007 at the Village Hall. 5. The Village Christmas Giveaway will be on 12/15/07 at the Community Center from 9 to 10:30 & after 11 6. Mrs. Velma Caver as a spokesperson for the Concern Citizens Organization want to thank all who donated to the success of the Thanksgiving Day dinner. A shoutout goes to the 1st Community Baptist Church for the meat. VILLAGE MEETING The next general meeting will be held at the Village Hall, at 6 PM, Monday 10 December, 2007.     Maurice O’Neal, Trustee    618 836 7433