2017/05/05 - Walter's Blog: New Elected Officials
The election is over and the voters have spoken. For the first time in 20 years, a new mayor was elected. Mayor Graham chose not to run for re-election and Ward 4 Alderman Herb Roach was elected as the new mayor. In addition, Jerry Mouser was elected City Clerk, David Hursey was re-elected as City Treasurer, and we have four new aldermen on the O’Fallon City Council: Ross Rosenberg (Ward 1), Mark Morton (Ward 4), Andrew Lopinot (Ward 5), and Dan Witt (Ward 7). Jerry Albrecht (Ward 2), Matt Gilreath (Ward 3), and Courtney Marsh (Ward 5) were re-elected in their wards. The new Mayor and City Council began their terms on May 1. Click here to view the official results.
Coming in as a new alderman is difficult and disorienting. The business of the City does not slow down so they can become informed on the issues. They will be overwhelmed with data, ranging from sales tax to sewers. They will be overrun with acronyms and governmental minutiae. They will be forced to vote on issues that arrived long before their tenure on the City Council.
We in administration must work with whoever is elected. We pride ourselves on having a strong professional relationship with the City Council, and we want to continue that relationship regardless of who is elected. We do not expect the City Council to automatically do everything we recommend, but we work hard to earn the trust of the aldermen that we are giving them complete information and reasoned advice.
Our job as staff will be to navigate the new mayor and aldermen through the issues and give them enough information to make sound decisions. We will schedule an orientation program for the new aldermen so they can meet the department heads and get a brief description on how the system functions. They may not be able to absorb everything in one day, but at least they will know who to call when they have questions.
This is an exciting time to be on the O’Fallon City Council. Our budget situation is tight, but there are many important projects on the horizon and many of the decisions the City Council make now will have long-range implications on the future of our community. It is a serious endeavor but with the input of residents and City staff, the new mayor and aldermen will not be alone.