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2020/11/05 - Walter's Blog: Local Elections

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

 

After living through one of the strangest and ugliest Presidential elections in modern U.S. history, most of us would rather not think about elections for a while. However, the municipal election process has already begun. Municipal elections do not receive as much attention or voter turnout, but I contend that your local elected officials have more impact on your life than the President.

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On April 6, O’Fallon voters will elect the Mayor, City Clerk, City Treasurer, and seven City Council members. Election packets are available at the City Clerk’s Office that include petitions to get on the ballot. Interested individuals must collect the required number of signatures from registered voters and completed petitions can be submitted on December 14. The election is on April 6 and the winners will be sworn in on May 3.

 

We are still looking for people to run for these important positions. Why should you consider running for local office? As I mentioned above, local government has the greatest impact on your life on a day-to-day basis. Let me count the ways:

  • Public safety: The City operates Police, Fire, and EMS that protect O’Fallon families and businesses.
  • Critical infrastructure: The City maintains your water, sewer, and streets that you use every day.
  • Quality of life: All of the parks, trails, playgrounds, and recreation programs are run by the City of O’Fallon.
  • Library: All O’Fallon residents have access to the excellent books, resources, and programs through the O’Fallon Public Library.
  • Economic development: City staff works with developers and businesses to attract new businesses and jobs to O’Fallon.

 

In addition to these important City services, here are some of the issues the next City Council will face:

  • COVID recovery: The pandemic created a significant budget shortfall that will require difficult decisions on how to maintain services with reduced revenue.
  • Master Plan: The City is the middle of a comprehensive planning process to develop community priorities over the next 20 years. New elected officials will be critical to implementing the Plan. You can learn more at www.buildofallon.com.
  • Parks Master Plan: We are also planning for the future of our parks system, and new elected officials will be involved in deciding future parks, programming, and aquatics.
  • Mid America Commerce Center: We are working with a regional developer to build a new business park at the Rieder Road interchange to provide new jobs and tax revenue for the City and school districts.