O'Fallon Candidate Forum: Ward 3 Candidates Discuss Goals, Change and Economic Growth

Ward 3 Candidates answered questions about improving the economy and goals for the new term at the annual candidate forum hosted by the Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council (MYAC) on on Tuesday, March 19.

The MYAC is composed of juniors and seniors from local public and private high schools, chosen by their school officials to learn more about local government.

Rick Battelle's term ends in April, leaving one seat open in Ward 3. Battelle is running for re-election, facing opponent Carolyn Yelich.

At the forum, each O’Fallon candidate gave a three-minute opening statement and closing statement. After that MYAC members questioned candidates, allowing a three-minute response time.

Meet the Ward 3 Candidates:

Richard "Rick" Battelle, is 45 years old and has lived in O'Fallon for four years. Battelle, who has a degree in Criminal Justice Administration, is retired from the St. Louis County Police and currently works for Express Scripts.

Battelle, who has two children, is a member of the Down Syndrome Association and Special Olympics and is a board member for Crime Stoppers. He organized the Missouri chapter of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators.

Battelle has been on the O'Fallon City Council since 2011.

Battelle was not present at the forum, but contributed by phone.

In his introductory speech, Battelle said "Even in times when it may not be the popular opinion, you must stand up with integrity, and sometimes on your own." He cited the issue of the group home in Twin Chimneys.

Carolyn Yelich has been a resident for 16 years. She and her husband are the parents of two children. Yelich is also employed in the community as a paraprofessional at Fort Zumwalt West Middle School.

She has been a program director for the O'Fallon YMCA and has also served on the O'Fallon Parks Board.

What specific ideas do you have to help O’Fallon’s economy grow?

Battelle said that data shows "positive signs of entrepreneurial spirit" in O'Fallon. He commented that sales tax proceeds last year were 3.4 percent higher than 2011 with sales tax. The city needs to be proactive, he said, and he has confidence in the city's new Economic Development Director, who has a long-term plan to attract businesses to O'Fallon.

Yelich said that the city needed to look at infrastructure and make sure that the police department was fully funded. O'Fallon is a safe community, she said, and it must stay safe to make sure that new businesses will come in.

The city needs to make sure that property values stay high and also offer different types of housing. "We always think we need to grow, grow, grow," she said, "but we need to make sure all of our services are in place first."

What changes would you like to see in O'Fallon in the next two years?

"We need to make sure we have all of our bases covered," Yelich said. The city needs to educate the public about what is happening, and help change flow in a planned way, she said.

Highway 364 will ensure that residents have better access, Battelle said, and the end result will be development. Development means the city can continue not to raise taxes. The police department is well-funded, he said, but we need to get open positions filled and maintain "Safest City" status.

If an incumbent, why should you retain your seat? If a challenger, why should you be elected?

"My job is not yet done," Battelle said. "Two years is not enough time."

The city needs to continue positive things and move forward and get through tough economic times. Business development should be a focus, bringing small business as well as the bigger corporations to town, he noted.

Yelich said that her work with special needs children requires patience and flexibility, both of which are traits of a effective representative. Communication is important, she said, and she has skills in research and communications.  Residents will want a representative who listens and looks at all sides of a proposal, she said.

What are your two most important goals for Ward 3?

It's important to have good communication with the police department and have the police department fully funded, Yelich said. The new city administrator will be very important to this goal. "We need to make sure public safety is our number one top priority," she said. "Also, that we are responsible stewards of taxpayer money, not using it on frivolous projects."

"You don't have to spend all the money you have; you have to spend it wisely," Yelich said.

Battelle said that one of his goals was the development of O'Day Park. "It sat there for years," Battelle said, after it was donated to city. He stressed the opportunity to build a lodge facility for residents to use and enjoy. His second goal was the city's Justice center.

The city should look at utilizing the existing city hall for the justice center, Battelle said, while relocating city hall to the city center. The south part of O'Fallon feels disconnected, he said, and moving city hall south would help.

Closing

Battelle said that his campaign platform included public safety, economic development, job creation and fiscal responsibility. He wanted to see proper enforcement of existing coddes. "We've increased services without increasing taxes, we haven't dipped into the reserves," he said. The city must continue responsible funding of the police department and leverage technology in policing, while protecting the rights of citizens. The city also needs to address the city's aging infrastructure and continue to support local small businesses.

Yelich mentioned that she and her husband relocated to O'fallon from Washington DC. after doing a lot of research. "We saw everything we were looking for in O'Fallon."

Yelich said she wanted a fully funded police department, with a special focus on an officer for traffic. She wanted to see streets cared for and the city using taxpayer money wisely.

"I'll always listen to citizens and be a voice for their concerns. I look at each side and weigh everything fairly," she said.

"My husband was a city coucil rep. I've had an inside look, and I would still like to do it," she said. "It's a challenge I've always wanted to try."

Who has your vote for Ward 3 Councilperson? 

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Check back with O'Fallon Patch later this week for more from the O'Fallon Candidate Forum.