2022/11/21 - Mayor's Column: Happy Thanksgiving
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
Thanksgiving is a time of the year for families to get together and celebrate the good fortunes and acts of kindness that occurred during the year. The Thanksgiving celebration dates to about 1621 when the Plymouth Colonists celebrated the harvests and acts of kindness of the year.
This year Thanksgiving will be celebrated on Thursday, November 24th.
For me, I have to look back at this past year and be so grateful for so many things like:
- My own Personal Health and that of my Family.
- For the City Council that we have and all of the positive things that they do for our community. Which includes reducing Real-Estate Tax Rate back to where they were 35 years ago and the way they work together to get things done for our citizens and businesses unlike other governmental bodies. And by far the lowest tax rate of any city in Madison or St. Clair County with a population of 20,000+.
- For the City Staff that works so well together to see that our city is properly administered with the services that the city offers and is proactive vs. reactionary.
- For our Citizens that don’t just talk about helping but get involved and help to make our community what it is.
- To see our city, receive the Governors Hometown Award and the Governor’s Cup which is based on volunteerism. The first time in the 40-year existence of the Governor’s Cup that O’Fallon has won the award.
- To see our city recognized in a national ranking in the:
- Top 7% of cities across the U.S. for places to live.
- Top 8% of cities across the country for places to raise a family.
- Number 1 in all categories for cities in St. Clair County.
So, on this Thanksgiving I have many things to be thankful for. We will as a family get together and share our thanks for the blessings that we have received throughout the year.
I hope that you and your family will be able to spend some time together on this Thanksgiving, even if only by phone or internet to enjoy each other.
Don’t forget on Saturday, November 26 at 6PM, the Lighted Holiday Parade. We have over 65 entries and about half of them are floats. We will also have judging of the best float and other types of entries. Our judges are four Children from the Children’s Miracle Network.
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.