A Weekly Note from Mayor Gary L. Graham
“Traditional Values, Progressive Thinking”
The City Council and I issued a Proclamation declaring the month of October 2009 as National Community Planning Month during our October 5 City Council Meeting. The Proclamation recognizes the dedication and valuable contributions of O’Fallon’s Planning Commission members, Planning and Zoning Department staff, and other citizen planners who have contributed their time and expertise to the improvement of the City of O’Fallon.
We recognize the many valuable contributions made by professional community and regional planners and our citizen volunteers. Our heartfeld thanks is extended to these groups for their continued commitment to public service.
Change is constant and affects all cities, towns, suburbs, counties, boroughs, townships, rural areas, and other places. Community planning can help manage this change in a way that provides better choices for how people work and live.
Community planning provides an opportunity for all residents to be meaningfully involved in making choices that determine the future of their community. The full benefits of planning requires public officials and citizens who understand, support, and demand excellence in planning and plan implementation.
Each October, the American Planning Association (APA), its members, chapters, divisions, and professional institute sponsor National Community Planning Month to raise the visibility of the important role of planners and planning in communities across the U.S.
The City of O’Fallon has two certified planners on staff. Ted Shekell is Director of Planning and Zoning and Jennifer Howland is the Senior City Planner. To learn more about community planning, contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 624-4500, ext. 4 or visit the APA website at www.planning.org.
By working together, our planning initiatives secure a very bright future for our community for generations to come. 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.
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