2023/06/19 - Mayor's Column: All-Abilities Playground, a Special Award, and Other Events
“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
I wanted to take a minute to let everyone know of some dates of upcoming activities that will be occurring over the next three weeks. Also, congratulations to our Assistant City Administrator Grant Litteken for a recent award.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the New All-Abilities Childrens Playground will take place on Friday June 23rd at 10 AM at the Northeast corner of the Community Park. We are excited about getting this underway so that children with or without any disabilities or limitations can have a place to play and enjoy the outside with their brothers and sisters and friends. This should be completed by late summer if the weather cooperates. We are still looking for more volunteers to help with the assembly of this beautiful playground. If you are interested, please go to www.ofallongives.com.
On Monday July 3rd we will have our 4th Annual Community Fireworks Display at the O’Fallon Sports Park. The show begins at sundown. Please be patient if you plan to drive to the Sports Parks to enjoy the fireworks. Because of the fireworks and holiday, the first City Council Meeting in July will be held on Wednesday July 5th at 7 p.m.
The second of the three Downtown District Nights live concerts will be held on Thursday, July 6th. Things get underway at 5 PM with the car cruise and music starts at 6 PM. Food and refreshments served by our downtown businesses. If you are heading down, make sure to bring your lawn chair. The first District Nights was a big success and I’m looking forward to more.
Lastly, I want to recognize our Assistant City Administrator, Grant Litteken, for being awarded the Gregory Bielawski Service to the Profession Award from the Illinois City Management Association (ILCMA). Grant received this award for outstanding service to the profession of city management by serving as a mentor to many professionals in the Southern Illinois region, teaching students in the Public Administration Graduate School at SIUE, and for being President of the Southwestern Illinois City Management Association (SWICMA) during the COVID Pandemic.
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.