Message from Mayor Beekman:
1/11/2009
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2009! Can you believe it?? I wonder how long it is going to take me to get used to writing
'09 on my letters! Just when I got used to writing '08, it changed again!
We had a great year in 2008. Although many projects that we had slated for completion
did not get completed, it looks as though all of the preliminary stages for those projects
are finished, and we should see them coming to a close in the new year. These projects
include the overlay of the remaining section of Marshall, the creek fill in at the park, and
the construction of our new City Hall. We expected these three things to complete, but
sometimes the red tape is thicker than you think and a little harder to cut through. We
have since put our consultant, Mike Gartenburg in charge of the creek project and the
Marshall overlay, and whew....things are starting to move along quickly!
2008 also brought about sad news for local governments. We had the tragedy with the
Kirkwood shooting that killed many elected officials and city employees. The Mayor later
died as result of his injuries. We also saw the shooting in Maplewood that killed an officer
and a firefighter. Recently, the Mayor of St. Ann passed away in his home. Let's keep all
of those families in our prayers as well as those close to you.
On the new City Hall front, we have completed all of the necessary steps to break ground.
Due to the condition of the economy, we have been delayed on the funding. I do not see
this as a "show-stopper," but more of a roadblock that we will overcome. After all of the
years that I have talked about a new City Hall, 2009 should be the final year that I have to
give you dates of ground-breaking! Our City Administrator, Chief Tony Umbertino, has
been working tirelessly to get this off the ground. I could not have done it without him.
Our Public Works Department is running smooth. Peter Daub (PW Director) has been
handling the icy streets and snow with his usual perfection. It is not only my personal
opinion, but the opinion of many others, that we have the best streets in this side of the
Mississippi after a snow or ice event. Peter also has been working on keeping the City
clean and presentable. It is clear that all of the residents are helping him by doing their
part as well, and we certainly thank you for that! Phil Sapp, the Code Enforcement
Officer has been busy with helping the residents keep their properties up to code as well.
A clean, beautiful City such as ours sure does attract home buyers and new business.
The less Phil has to work, the better our City will be, and that will be because the residents
are doing their best to keep their properties in good shape! Excellent job from our
residents and our Public Works Department!
Our Courts Department continues to run as smooth as it always has. Stephanie runs a
very tight, efficient Court, and lately, with a full staffed police department, she sure has
been busy! Great job!
The Charlack Police Department is now at full staff, and Chief Umbertino seems to have
everything under control. We have one of the best group of officers we have had since I
was elected your Mayor almost 6 years ago. I don't say that lightly...this is how I feel about
the Command Staff and officers that we currently have. We lost a few long-timers this
past year, but their replacements have turned out to be just as good as those who left.
You should continue to see our Police cars frequently driving up and down your streets.
Finally, the City Hall is definitely operating on all cylinders. Tony has settled in and
streamlined many of the daily operations. All of our finances, including bill payments and
payroll are now handled by our CPA. Tony has managed to fine tune each department,
which has allowed him to work closely with me and the City Attorney (among others) to
keep Charlack a strong, viable community.
It may seem as though I am bragging about the City employees, and well, yes I am. I am
very comfortable with the staff that we have. I hope as residents, you see how smooth we
are actually running. You have elected me and the Aldermen to handle your tax dollars
to make sure that the City of Charlack remains a viable community. We have the right
people in place to do that.
I hope you all have a great 2009. I look forward to many good things happening in the
City of Charlack.
Mayor Beekman
'09 on my letters! Just when I got used to writing '08, it changed again!
We had a great year in 2008. Although many projects that we had slated for completion
did not get completed, it looks as though all of the preliminary stages for those projects
are finished, and we should see them coming to a close in the new year. These projects
include the overlay of the remaining section of Marshall, the creek fill in at the park, and
the construction of our new City Hall. We expected these three things to complete, but
sometimes the red tape is thicker than you think and a little harder to cut through. We
have since put our consultant, Mike Gartenburg in charge of the creek project and the
Marshall overlay, and whew....things are starting to move along quickly!
2008 also brought about sad news for local governments. We had the tragedy with the
Kirkwood shooting that killed many elected officials and city employees. The Mayor later
died as result of his injuries. We also saw the shooting in Maplewood that killed an officer
and a firefighter. Recently, the Mayor of St. Ann passed away in his home. Let's keep all
of those families in our prayers as well as those close to you.
On the new City Hall front, we have completed all of the necessary steps to break ground.
Due to the condition of the economy, we have been delayed on the funding. I do not see
this as a "show-stopper," but more of a roadblock that we will overcome. After all of the
years that I have talked about a new City Hall, 2009 should be the final year that I have to
give you dates of ground-breaking! Our City Administrator, Chief Tony Umbertino, has
been working tirelessly to get this off the ground. I could not have done it without him.
Our Public Works Department is running smooth. Peter Daub (PW Director) has been
handling the icy streets and snow with his usual perfection. It is not only my personal
opinion, but the opinion of many others, that we have the best streets in this side of the
Mississippi after a snow or ice event. Peter also has been working on keeping the City
clean and presentable. It is clear that all of the residents are helping him by doing their
part as well, and we certainly thank you for that! Phil Sapp, the Code Enforcement
Officer has been busy with helping the residents keep their properties up to code as well.
A clean, beautiful City such as ours sure does attract home buyers and new business.
The less Phil has to work, the better our City will be, and that will be because the residents
are doing their best to keep their properties in good shape! Excellent job from our
residents and our Public Works Department!
Our Courts Department continues to run as smooth as it always has. Stephanie runs a
very tight, efficient Court, and lately, with a full staffed police department, she sure has
been busy! Great job!
The Charlack Police Department is now at full staff, and Chief Umbertino seems to have
everything under control. We have one of the best group of officers we have had since I
was elected your Mayor almost 6 years ago. I don't say that lightly...this is how I feel about
the Command Staff and officers that we currently have. We lost a few long-timers this
past year, but their replacements have turned out to be just as good as those who left.
You should continue to see our Police cars frequently driving up and down your streets.
Finally, the City Hall is definitely operating on all cylinders. Tony has settled in and
streamlined many of the daily operations. All of our finances, including bill payments and
payroll are now handled by our CPA. Tony has managed to fine tune each department,
which has allowed him to work closely with me and the City Attorney (among others) to
keep Charlack a strong, viable community.
It may seem as though I am bragging about the City employees, and well, yes I am. I am
very comfortable with the staff that we have. I hope as residents, you see how smooth we
are actually running. You have elected me and the Aldermen to handle your tax dollars
to make sure that the City of Charlack remains a viable community. We have the right
people in place to do that.
I hope you all have a great 2009. I look forward to many good things happening in the
City of Charlack.
Mayor Beekman
| THE CITY OF CHARLACK |
