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2018/06/26 - Walter's Blog: The Only Constant is Change

Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
 

I regret to report that Courtney Marsh has resigned from the O’Fallon City Council. Ms. Marsh had been on the City Council since 2013 and provided valuable leadership to our community. She served on the Public Works and Public Safety Committees and represented O’Fallon’s 5th Ward, which covers the western end of town. We will miss her leadership.

With her resignation, there is now a vacancy on the City Council. State law calls for the mayor to nominate a replacement within 60 days of a vacancy, and the City Council then has 30 days to either approve or deny the nomination. Ms. Marsh’s resignation was effective June 18, so Mayor Roach must submit a name to the City Council by the August 6 City Council meeting. The City Council must vote by September 5.

There are no requirements in the state law on how the mayor may select the replacement. Mayor Herb Roach wants to provide an opportunity for all interested individuals to be considered, so he is accepting resumes until July 20.

The appointment will only be until the next municipal election in April 2019. At that time, an election will be held to fill the slot for a two-year term since Ms. Marsh was elected to a four-year term in 2017.

In addition to Ms. Marsh’s departure, there is the potential for a substantial change in the O’Fallon City Council. Three aldermen are currently running for county offices in the November election: Matt Smallheer and Rich Meile are running for County Board seats and Andrew Lopinot is running for County Treasurer. If they win their elections, Mayor Roach will have to appoint three more people to fill vacant positions. Municipal elections in 2019 will feature elections in seven wards, so there could be as many as eight new aldermen between now and next year.

Of course, that is why our democracy is so great and O’Fallon has been blessed with committed community leaders throughout its history. While I am grateful for Courtney Marsh and other aldermen who have served on the City Council, I have no doubt that new leaders will emerge and continue O’Fallon’s outstanding quality of life.