Park pavilions to be dedicated in memory of late O’Fallon aldermen
A dedication of a pavilion at Family Sports Park named for the late Dan Witt, who served as an alderman representing Ward 7, will take place on Sunday, April 30, with time to be determined.
Mayor Herb Roach said it would likely be late afternoon.
Roach said it will be Pavilion No. 1, which is near Green Mount and Obernuefemann roads’ entrance.
“A large stone is being placed there with a plaque,” he said.
Witt was known as a “conscientious and committed” public servant, a devoted family man and helpful civic-minded volunteer. He died at age 67 on June 12, 2022, after a serious weed-cutting accident that left him critically injured. He had lived in O’Fallon for 45 years and had been elected to two terms on the city council.
“The City of O’Fallon will truly miss Danny and his passion,” an official press release stated last summer.
A pavilion is also being named for the late alderman Kevin Hagarty, and the date will be in May, but details are still being worked out, Roach said.
Hagarty, 54, who had represented Ward 3 since 2011, died from natural causes March 30, 2022.
“They were both very good people and very dedicated to the citizens of O’Fallon and worked tirelessly to help others. They were big supporters of the city,” Roach had previously stated.
Spring Activities
The last Vine Street Micro Market will be on Saturday, April 29.
O’Fallon Station will host the annual kick-off of the Vine Street Market and Founders Day on Saturday, May 13.
Scott Air Force Base Air Show is set for May 13 and 14.
Council Swearing In
Newly elected Aldermen Aaron Hudson, representing Ward 5, and Andrea Fohne, who had been appointed last year for Ward 3 to fill the vacancy created by Kevin Hagarty’s death, both elected April 4, plus re-elected first-termers Aldermen Jessica Lotz, Ward 2 and Todd Roach, Ward 4, will be sworn in at the May 1 council meeting.
Unopposed incumbents Dennis Muyleart of Ward 1, Tom Vorce in Ward 6, and Nathan Parchman in Ward 7 will begin their second terms when sworn in on May 1.
Ward 7 Alderman Eric Van Hook, who was appointed to fill the late Dan Witt’s seat last summer, was elected to fill the remaining two-year term, and will be sworn in as well.
Mayor Roach presented a plaque for “dedication and service” to outgoing Ward 5 Alderman Gwendolyn Randolph, who had been appointed in August 2018, elected in 2019, and did not seek re-election this month. She made history as the first African American woman to serve on the council.
“You’ve served almost five years and I appreciate the time and effort you’ve put in,” he said.
Randolph said serving Ward 5 and the city had been “a wonderful opportunity and experience.” She thanked the mayor for first appointing her and for citizens electing her.
City News
A Town Hall meeting will take place on Thursday, April 27 at 6 p.m. at City Hall for residents to express their ideas for the traffic on Pierce Avenue. A follow-up meeting will be held on May 18 to share traffic research from engineers and discuss options to help improve traffic concerns on this connector road.
A new gateway sign on Highway 50 has been installed at the intersection of Old Collinsville Road on the west side of town.
The council agreed to a coordinated communications services contract renewal between the city and Shiloh for dispatch services, with a fee increase from $155,000 to $165,000 because of rising costs.
Mayor for the Day
Kylee Amann, a fourth grader at St. Clare Grade School, was the mayor for the day. When asked what part of her tour she liked best, she selected “city hall.”
“That’s a first,” the mayor said.
When asked why, she said: “Because that’s where O’Fallon becomes a better place.”
