Our Town: A century ago, O’Fallon city officials got big pay raises

A century ago on April 16, 1923, the O’Fallon City Council passed Ordinances 102 and 103 which gave, in some cases, whopping percentage increases to elected officials and police and firefighters. It also gave some insight into how they were paid.

Here’s how the Progress reported it back then.

“Salaries of executives were increasing from 50 to 100 per cent ranging from the mayor on down to the office of special police. The wages of the members of the fire department also were boosted a dollar a piece for services at fires.

“According to the ordinance the salary of the mayor hereafter will be $200 per annum, compared with $100 under the old ordinance. The pay of aldermen was elevated from $3.00 to $4.50 per meeting night, the council to continue meeting twice a month. This does not include reasonable expense of any special committee in rendering necessary service to the city which may be allowed in the discretion of the council.

“The salary of the city clerk was elevated to $110 per month instead of $100. In addition he will receive such other fees as are allowed by ordinance, with the exception of moneys received for weighing on the city scales, which is to be turned into the city treasurer.

“No changes were made in the salary of the city treasurer who is to serve on the same schedule as heretofore, based on a one-percent basis of all monies handled during his term of office, the salary being paid annually.

“In the police department the salary of the chief was raised $25.00 per month. Heretofore the head executive received $100. Under the new ordinance now in effect this was increased $25 per month. Special police officers who heretofore received $3.33 per day will be paid $4.16, no distinction being made in day or night service.

“Wages of firemen were increased from $1.00 to $2.00 for attendance and active service at each fire where it is necessary to use water or chemical. The city hereafter will pay $1.00 for attendance and active service at each fire where no water or chemical is used, the services not to exceed one hour.

“Each member will also receive 25 cents for attendance at regular meetings of the department or for fire practice when called upon to attend by the chief.”

75 years ago, April 29, 1948: O’Fallon Progress editorial: Although O’Fallon is holding its own as a clean city, it can be made still more attractive and a healthier place in which to live. On this everyone will agree. And it can be done with a little effort on the part of its citizens. The opportunity presents itself this coming month in a Clean-Up, Paint-Up, Fix-Up campaign being launched jointly by the Chamber of Commerce and the city administration. It is a time when a general cleanup and tidying up of the home premises is in order by the removal of all unsightly rubbish, a touch of paint here and there, elimination of fire hazards and the fixing up of the surroundings in general. By cooperation of every property owner and tenant the intention of the campaign can be accomplished without much effort on the part of each individual. Of course, it will involve a little work, but the results will pay a handsome dividend in civic pride to make O’Fallon a still more brighter, healthier and safer place in which to live. And the time to do it is in the month of May.

50 years ago, April 26, 1973: A dedication ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday denoting the opening of the new mini-park playground at 223 West First Street. The park was developed by volunteers with the ground and playground equipment donated by Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Yare, owners of the O’Fallon Progress and Lincoln Trail Reporter. Principal work on installing the equipment, fences, and other improvements was donated by the O’Fallon Jaycees. City and township employees also contributed labor for the mini-park. The park is equipped with a slide and rides for small children plus sandboxes. Use of the park will be for children 10 and under as is the toddlers’ playground at Community Park. City officials including Mayor Roy R. Smith and Mayor-elect Gary C. Mackey have been invited to the dedication. Members of the park board and the Jaycees are also expected to attend. The public is invited. The park was developed as a pilot to indicate the use of small plots of ground for park purposes. Mini-parks have been used to preserve open spaces in cities to provide close-to-home recreational facilities on a neighborhood basis. (Pocket Park, as it was later called, was next to VFW Post 805, on the east, and the land is now owned and used by them.)