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2023/11/20 - Mayor's Column: Happy Thanksgiving

“AN OPEN DOOR TO O’FALLON”
A WEEKLY NOTE FROM MAYOR HERB ROACH
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This week, I want to share with you some things occurring in O’Fallon and then take the time to reflect on all the things that I’m thankful for during this Thanksgiving Season.

First, City Hall will be closed on Nov. 23rd and 24th for Thanksgiving.

Second, an important thing to remember is that on Saturday, November 25th we will have an EXCELLENT “Lighted Holiday Parade”. It kicks off at 6 PM. I have been told by some of Santa’s helpers that this parade is not one that you want to miss.  It will have over 70 units and will be one of the best that our city has ever seen.  THANK YOU to Beth Spradling Ortega and her Merry Band of Elves for all their work on this event.

Finally, I have many things to be thankful for this year:

  • My own personal health and that of my Family.
  • For the work and effort of our City Council which includes the continued fiscal responsibility to our citizens and a real estate tax rate that is back where it was 35 years ago.
  • To our City Staff for all the work that they continue to put forth.
  • For the new ALL CHILDREN PLAYGROUND and the plans for the redevelopment of our 100-year-old Community Park.
  • For the continued growth and development of our City.
  • And to all of our citizens, churches and individuals that continue to reach out and help others that need that helping hand.
  • That my peers thought enough of my capabilities to:
  1. Name me Chairman of the Investment and Operations Committee of the 8.5 billion Dollar Statewide Firefighters Investment Fund.
  2. Selected to serve on the East-West Gateway Council of Governments for the Greater St. Louis Region.
  3. Reappointed to the IML Executive Board. 

On this Thanksgiving Day I hope that you will have the opportunity to share it with family and friends.  Our Family will help once again with the Community Thanksgiving Meal on Thanksgiving and then will gather to have a meal together and say THANKS for what we have.

If you need a Good Thanksgiving Day Meal at NO cost, there are meals being served at the American Legion (on Washington St.) from 11 AM to 1 PM and at the Faith Lutheran Church on Rt. 50 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM here in O’Fallon.

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.