Opinion

Leaving St. Charles with fond memories

Posted August 30, 2013 4:45 am

As I leave the position of city administrator, I express my gratitude to the members of the St. Charles community for the opportunity to work with, and for, them. I have been fortunate to meet many great people during my time here — residents, businesspeople, community volunteers, elected officials, city employees, and employees of intergovernmental partners.

Since 2005, a great deal has been accomplished to enhance the reputation of St. Charles as a community that is admired and an organization that is respected. I am proud that together we could enhance core services, advance the city’s economic standing, modernize infrastructure, enrich relationships, and improve resident satisfaction.

The number of respondents to a community survey who rate St. Charles as “excellent” increased to 57 percent, the highest percentage ever achieved.

The city weathered the Great Recession without significant impact on quality of service delivery and with no employee layoffs.

City infrastructure was improved including a new parking structure, new fire station, remodeled public works facility, new water treatment facility, new waste water treatment facility, electric system upgrades that enhanced reliability, and the new Red Gate Bridge over the Fox River.

And, St. Charles was named the No. 1 City for Families by Family Circle magazine.

St. Charles is a wonderful community and I leave with many fond memories. St. Charles is also a community with significant untapped potential. I hope that current and future city leaders will work tirelessly to capitalize on the community’s strengths — a beautiful Fox River location, an attractive downtown, diverse housing choices, spectacular local government services provided by the city, school district, park district, and library, and dedicated volunteers.

I also hope that all community members will do whatever they can to ensure St. Charles remains forever the Pride of the Fox.

Brian A. Townsend

City administrator

St. Charles

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