2021/05/03 - Mayor's Column: Election Results

“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
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I was recently told by the Southwestern Mayors Association that during this past election there were 40 Mayors and hundreds of Trustees /Council Members whose term would expire on May 1, 2021. Two days after the election, I received a call and was told that only 14 out of the 40 mayors whose terms were up were staying on or were reelected. They told me that this was a concern because of the lack of continuity and the impact it could have on our region as we deal with COVID, new police reforms, possible cuts to local funding from the State, new taxes being proposed in Springfield, and more.

When I asked why you think there was such a turnover, they pointed to two things:

• Frustration and burnout over dealing with COVID.
• Citizens not understanding the complications that are being placed on Cities by the State Government with their various pieces of legislation, civil unrest, and COVID restrictions.

They went on to say that this can have a real impact on our regions ability to retain and attract new businesses and to stop the loss of population in many of our communities. 

We are going to need to ask people like you to help be sounding boards and mentors to future leaders.

This really struck home to me when, I attended the Abilene Trophy Award ceremonies at Scott Air Force Base.   Mayor Jerry Daugherty of Mascoutah and I were the only two Mayors present.  After the ceremony, a couple of the commanding officers talked to me about the work that many of the Mayors have been involved in to help the transition of Air Force families to our area when they are transferred to the base.  This includes State legislation to make it easier to transfer many different types of licenses from other locations to Illinois.

Leadership at the Base pointed out that of all the cities that touch the base or that are very close to it, that I am the only returning Mayor.  The only Mayor that has been in the past discussions on what some of the challenges are that face the base. They pointed to the fact that there are changes of Leadership in all of the other neighboring communities (Belleville, Lebanon, Mascoutah and Shiloh).

I assured them that I would continue to work with the base and that our city would continue to work to help our service men and women who move to O’Fallon.

After hearing all of this I am so very glad that over 80% of the O’Fallon leadership team remains in place to serve you and that the new members to the team are coming in with a positive mind set on how we continue to see O’Fallon grow and move forward.

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!