2023/01/09 - Mayor's Column: New Developments and MLK Day
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
I would just like to bring you up to date with some new happenings in the city and about an appointment that I just received as we move forward into 2023.
This week, our Planning Commission will be reviewing two new developments. One is for the redevelopment of the old Southview Plaza area and the second is for a new housing development on Frank Scott Parkway.
You may have heard by now that the new Outback Steakhouse Restaurant and Dunkin Donuts is coming to O’Fallon. Outback will be built in front of the Drury Inn off Central Park Drive and Dunkin Donuts is going in the new center between Central Park Drive and Frank Scott.
You will also start seeing construction begin on the new developments approved this past year. 2022 was a busy year for the Council and Staff. Everyone should appreciate all the hours that were spent by Council and Staff to review, listen to concerns from citizens, make modifications, and move projects forward if found to be appropriate.
Next week on Monday the 16th, there will be a Breakfast Celebration of the Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at New Life in Christ Church on Seven Hills Road. Tickets for the meal and program or $20.
On a more personal note, I was recently appointed Chairman of the Investment and Operations Committee of the Illinois Statewide Firefighters Investment Fund. During the past year we completed the transfer of over 7.5 Billion Dollars from over 294 individual funds from across the State of Illinois. Our goal is to improve returns on investments, decrease operating costs and maintain proper records so that full benefits are properly furnished to qualified firefighters and that the costs to communities can be controlled or lessened.
I’m proud to say that the year-end audit of the Investment Fund by an independent auditing firm showed no errors or mishandling of the funds during the transfers.
The Board is made up of nine individuals from across the State. Four of the members are active firefighters, one is a retired firefighter and four represent communities or fire districts from across the State of Illinois. I’m the only trustee from south of Springfield.
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.