2021/08/02 - Mayor's Column: Transparency in Government
“An Open Door to O’Fallon”
A Weekly Note from Mayor Herb Roach
Over the past few months, I have read about some Local, State, and Federal elected officials that seem to say one thing but turn right around and do another if it betters serves their personal need. Having been an elected official on School Boards, Trustee for the State Firefighters Pension Fund, Illinois Municipal League Board of Directors, and Mayor for the City of O’Fallon, I find it insulting to those that are trying to do their best to serve the people they represent.
Just within the past six months alone, we have had the mayors of two neighboring cities resign their positions because of actions they took that resulted in Federal indictments against them. Just a few days later, I read comments from elected officials in a different city asking why their new mayor has not held a public meeting since being elected in April (now over four months ago). The article also spoke of this elected official making appointments and discretionary payments to employees without council approval.
It is no wonder why people question every move made by a public body. When the residents have no opportunity to give input and are forced to wonder what is going on that they know nothing about. Then you look around and see the cars, the fringe benefits, and pay that some receive for being in public service. It makes you scratch your head and wonder what is going on. Who are these elected officials there to serve?
With that said, I’m proud to work with all the other elected Officials from the City of O’Fallon. I see their commitment to serve our Citizens and Businesses every day. Will we please everyone all the time? Of course not. Are we perfect every second? No, but your elected officials are not in it to line their pockets, they even recuse or remove themselves from voting or deciding if there is any sort of potential conflict of interest. They spend their own money to hold meetings and communicate to those that they represent. They are there to serve you and to keep our city moving forward.
O’Fallon’s elected officials are among the lowest paid when compared to cities of 20,000 & above in Madison and St. Clair Counties (average pay of elected officials in the area is over $8,000 annually. O’Fallon’s City Council receives $4,800). There is no pension, no cars or expense accounts of any kind for O’Fallon elected officials.
I am proud to say that they strive to have an open and public debate with public input at every opportunity. They work to have transparency in everything they do. A good example of this is that we will continue to use both TV and Zoom broadcasts of our Council meetings, even after all the special requirements that we are now under expire. It is just another way that we can make it easier for you to see what action is being taken and for you to give input.
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!