2020/12/07 - Mayor's Column: Points of Interest
An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
With everything going on right now, it is easy to get behind on news. I want to take this week to share some updates with everyone.
December 7th is a noted day for all of us in the United States for more than one reason:
- In 1782, Delaware became the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
- In 1917, the U.S. 42nd “Rainbow Division” arrived in France during World War One.
- In 1941, Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese Government, which started the United States’ formal entrance into World War Two.
But, it is a special day for me for another reason. December 7th is also the birthdate of my Mother: Kathryn Anne Becherer Roach. Happy Birthday Mom.
_______________________
This week, our staff is busy going over the applications from our local businesses that have applied for the O’Fallon Small Business Relief Fund Grant Program. We received funds from the State to help O’Fallon businesses through this difficult period. We are working to get these funds into the hands of our businesses that have suffered from COVID-19, and complying with the State mitigation measures.
_____________________
I have received formal notice from the State of Illinois that I have been selected to serve as one of the nine trustees to oversee the administration and investments of the new Statewide Consolidated Fireman’s Pension Fund. I will be the only representative from South of Peoria, and the only mayor, to serve as a trustee on this $6.4 Billion retirement fund.
______________________
The City Council will vote tonight on two items that will impact all of us in O’Fallon. They will vote on the amount of taxes to be collected by city of O’Fallon through real-estate taxes. We are working to keep the tax rate near the 2010 tax rate. They will also be voting to continue the freeze on the water and sewer rates for our users through September 2021. This will be the second rate freeze in the last three years. It will produce about a $500,000 savings annually to our users and when combined with the previous freeze will result in over $1 Million in savings to our users annually.
________________________
We were very disappointed to hear that two O’Fallon businesses were closed by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Clair County Health Department without giving the City any notice of this action or other actions they may have taken.
We were especially concerned when we heard that other communities received advance notice. We understand the seriousness of the Virus and the important role of the Health Department, but not the inability to communicate. Good communications would have saved a lot of false rumors and hours of work trying to answer questions without any information.
________________________
Please remember that as we move toward the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays to practice proper precautions and safety measures. Your action or lack thereof could impact the lives of others.
As residents of O’Fallon, you should always be able to reach out to your elected officials and ask questions about what is happening in O’Fallon. Having open communications is important to me and something I care very deeply about. Thank you for reading, and please remember, my door is always open (virtually, at least)!