Mayor Duncan: Council members leaving Du Quoin better than they found it

Du Quoin voters unhappy over the 18 percent water rate increase, a $69,000 payout to a water department employee and a city administrator who came to Du Quoin with his military demeanor not quite dialed back to small town life got instant gratification April 7 by electing an all-new council.

But, anyone watching the broadcast of Monday night's city council meeting also decided they lost something -- a council with a heart and a huge moral compass.

When Mayor Guy Alongi and commissioners Dale Spencer, Michael Ward, Charles Genesio and Gerald Whitley are seated May 11 they will surround themselves with good people and continue to pick up where this council left off -- doing great things.

But, Monday night was a night of reflection for a council that cared deeply about this city.

Mayor Rex Duncan: "As mayor, city clerk and commissioner I have 13 years with the city." He said he was proud to work alongside Mayor John Rednour and administrator Blaine Bastien and former commissioner Cha Hill. "It really has been an honor. Sometimes this job gets trying, but it doesn't get old. You try and leave things better than you found it. This council has done a remarkable job. I thank you."

Police and fire commissioner Josh Downs said he was proud of the fact that he signed onto the council at the age of only 25. "It has been my honor to serve you and to serve with you," he said. "I hope this council can continue with what we started."

Yvonne Morris said, "I want to thank the city and the people who work for the city. It's enough just to want to serve."

Street commissioner Don Kunkel is the newest member of the council and said, "Thank you for allowing me to serve two years."

City administrator Brad Myers has been more torn up by the outcome than all others, a Lebanon native with a career in the military who longed to return to small town Southern Illinois. His style was not Blaine Bastien's style, and never would be. But during his short-lived tour here, his work was sincere and learning it was a work in progress with no road map to speak of. He and his wife made their home here, were liked by his neighbors and had adopted Du Quoin's unique caring as his own. He spoke from the heart Monday night.

"It has been a pleasure to serve. You put your trust in me and I hope I was above your expectations. I leave with a heavy and sad heart. As always I am happy to be here and proud to serve."

Needless to say, he had some unspoken thoughts. but wanted his service to end on the same high ground as the rest of the council.

Mayor Duncan ended the evening by inviting commissioners to the upcoming Gold Plate Program's observance of Older Americans Month and its own 40th anniversary in Du Quoin.