O’Fallon mayor appoints alderman to vacated city council seat

Curtis Newcomb, 34, said he is eager to serve as the newest alderman on the O’Fallon City Council.

Mayor Eric Van Hook appointed Newcomb, who was sworn in at the June 2 city council meeting, for the seat that remained vacant after Alderman Stephanie Smallheer decided not to run again, citing personal reasons. No one had filed to run in the April 1 election.

“I would like to continue the vision others before me had in mind for what the city would look like in the future,” he said. “My goal would be to leave it better than I found it.”

Van Hook sought applications from residents for several weeks and ultimately decided Newcomb’s experience, goals and dedication put him at the top.

“Curtis Newcomb was born and raised in O’Fallon, and now raises his own young family here, giving him a unique, lifelong perspective on the needs and values of our community,” Van Hook said.

“With over a decade of experience in public safety and a deep commitment to public service, Curtis brings both practical insight and heartfelt dedication to the role. His collaborative approach and focus on responsible growth and resident well-being will make him a strong advocate for Ward 4 and a tremendous asset to our City Council.”

Newcomb, a 2008 graduate of O’Fallon Township High School, is currently a firefighter and paramedic for the Pattonville Fire District that covers Bridgeton and Maryland Heights, Missouri. He is also an Emergency Medical Services instructor at St. Louis Community College, where he received his training.

Previously, he worked as a paramedic for the O’Fallon-Shiloh EMS, from July 2016 to March 2019, when he took the St. Louis County position. He has 12 years’ experience overall.

“I feel like I personally bring to the table a bridge between generations, leadership, being a hard worker, and transparency,” Newcomb said.

As a longtime paramedic, firefighter and EMS instructor, he said qualities he most admired in public servants were integrity, empathy, and staying humble.

“In my career, these are qualities I have come to realize are the most important in public service. Everyone wants someone who is going to represent them to be honest, understand their troubles, difficulties, ups and downs, and for them to never forget where they came from,” he said.

His first meeting representing Ward 4 now complete, Newcomb said he is looking forward to becoming more involved. He will serve on the public safety and parks committees.

“I wanted to be a bigger part of what this city has to offer,” he said. “I took on this responsibility because I care about the city I have called home for almost 35 years. I think the city has been doing a great job and I want to continue the hard work and dedication others had started before me.”

He and his wife Amber have two sons, Hudson, age 4, and Brooks, age 1. Hudson attends pre-school at Moye Elementary.