The East St. Louis City Council meeting with the new mayor presiding was met with a room full of citizens. This was a welcome sight considering the lack of attendance in prior years.
Mayor Emeka Jackson-Hicks appointment of June Hamilton-Dean as her aldermanic replacement was met with “no” votes by the two council members of the Life More Abundantly team. Three votes were needed to pass, so the motion failed for her appointment. The mayor then recommended another name that failed because of two “no” votes. Once two recommendations were made and both failed, that allowed the mayor to make an appointment. Hamilton-Dean was sworn in as the newest member of council.
The citizens must send a message of their expectation that the two opposing council memberswork with our new mayor to help move this city forward and improve the quality of life for the citizens. As the mayor takes on the multitude of challenges of the city, the support and commitment of the citizens to attend the monthly council meetings will help them move the city forward.
The precinct committeemen election is next year and citizens need to encourage people to seriously consider running in each of the 25 precincts. The mayor, council, precinct committeemen and citizens must all come together for the betterment of the city because together we rise.
Dorothy Joshway
East St. Louis
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