FROM THE MAYOR...
“Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”
O’Fallon has always been known for our wonderful quality of life and small town charm. One of the many reasons families choose to reside in O’Fallon is our commitment to family life and high community standards.
A community defines what type of standards it wishes to establish by receiving input from its residents and community leaders and then adopting ordinances that will ensure compliance with those standards.
A good example of a community standard in which the residents of O’Fallon were very vocal was their opposition to businesses locating in our City that sell any form of adult entertainment materials. In 2002 Family Video wanted to open a video store in O’Fallon. In addition to their regular movie selection, the store intended to have an adult video section. Residents and community leaders decided that this was not the standard they wanted to set for our community.
Recently, VFW Post 805 sponsored an adult entertainment type of event called “Hot August Night” to raise money for the troops and their families. The event was originally scheduled to occur in O’Fallon. While the City wholeheartedly supports our troops and military families who live in our community, this fundraiser was not the type of event that would meet community standards and would have also violated three city ordinances.
· Section 116.37 of the City Code prohibits illicit dancing in establishments that hold a liquor license.
· Section 134.04 (A) of the City Code prohibits “Sexually Oriented Establishments” within 1,000 feet of schools, universities, day care centers, cemeteries, public parks or forest preserves, public housing, and places of worship. The VFW is located within 1,000 feet of the Faith United Baptist Church and would fall within the definition.
-Section 134.04(D)(6) of the City Code prohibits the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages at or within 100 feet of a “Sexually Oriented Establishment.” Accordingly, any sale of alcohol during the course of the event would be illegal.
· Depending on the nature of the associated performances, the event may have violated the City’s laws related to obscenity, found in Chapter 134 of the City Code.
· Pursuant to Section 116.20(A) of the City Code, punishment for violations of the above cited laws may include total fines up to $10,000.00 and/or the suspension or revocation of the establishments liquor license.
City Officials have the responsibility of enforcing all City Codes. We can’t pick and choose only those that we wish to enforce. This situation is very much like the “broken window theory”, once you ignore that first window, many more will appear and before you know it, the community is on the decline. The VFW felt we should allow this one exception. My question to them and to you, as citizens is: Do you want me to interpret the law the same for all citizens and businesses? I think you do. Had we allowed the Hot August Night event to occur, what would be next?
In the end, the VFW moved the event to a different city and was able to raise some money for the troops. While The City of O’Fallon didn’t support the Hot August Night event, we continue to support the military in many ways and in partnership with the VFW. Every care package assembled by the VFW over the last three years has been mailed by the City. We also have an ombudsman program for families with spouses deployed overseas.
I want to thank residents and community leaders who voiced their opinions regarding the retention of our high community standards. The strong working relationship between City Hall and the residents we serve is yet another example of why O’Fallon is such a great community in which to live.
It is an honor to serve as your Mayor, and I appreciate being given the opportunity to work for the residents of O’Fallon. I am willing to meet one-on-one with anyone who has a concern about any issues related to our city. I welcome your suggestions and comments and encourage you to contact me at 624-4500. It is through your input and dialog on important issues that we will make O’Fallon an even better place to live and work.
Gary L. Graham
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