Troy Lions Homecoming

After much clean up by many volunteers, the Troy Lions Club Homecoming will start at 5PM on Saturday night (July 22) at the Tri-Township Park.

Thanks to the Park District, the City of Troy, and (most importantly) AmerenUE for getting things cleaned up and power turned back on. Only the Rt 162 area of Troy has power, so HOT FOOD and COLD DRINKS will be a welcome sight for sore eyes.

Food will include Fish, Chicken, Brats and Burgers. Beer and soda will be served. Carnival rides will be up and running. And, music by the Shriners Brass Band and "Angel Heart" will liven a hard-hit town. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate better than on Friday.

Unfortunately, there will not be a parade this year. Maybe will make up for it next year...which will be Troy's 150-Year Anniversay.

Troy Storm Damage

Here are some photos from the storm damage from Friday in Troy:

A tree fell at the Simon House on a neighboring garage...














The "other" side of the garage...














It also hit their van (thankfully, no one hurt)...














A tree limb hit a power line near the Times-Tribune...














Power poles were just snapped along I-55/70...














South of the High School, a house lost its siding...














Trampolines went flying (near Troy-O'Fallon Road)...














Parts of the Tri-Township Park are a mess...














An old tree on Spring Valley Road was "pushed" over...














Hundreds of trees were lost around town...

Oath & Ceremony

Tonight was truly a wonderful evening...

It was an honor to have recently retired Supreme Court Justice Phil Rarick - a Troy native - to administer the oaths of office for the newly elected officials. Thank you to Justice Rarick for making the evening special for all of us.

Above, you'll see my oath of office for Alderman. City Clerk Tammy Mitchell holds the bible while Justice Rarick adminsters the oath. Also taking the oath this evening...Mayor Tom Caraker, Clerk Mitchell, Alderwoman Susan McTaggert, Alderman Sam Italiano, and Alderman Duane Hughes.

Below, you'll see the new Council...

(From left to right, Aldermen Daryl Hampsten, Jay Evans, Italiano, Mayor Caraker, Clerk Mitchell, Adomite, Gerald Lanahan, Jeff Soland, and Hughes...sorry to Alderwoman McTaggert, my photographer couldn't fit everyone the picture).

Final Results!!!

The final results, as reported by the Madison County Clerk's website, for the Alderman - Ward III race:

Allen P. Adomite 401
Charles W. Lawrenz 104
William O. Eaker 57

Thank you to everyone who volunteered, contributed, and/or supported my campaign for Alderman. A special thanks to all of the residents who spent their valuable time talking about the issues important to our City. We have worked together to develop a plan for Ward III.

More updates will soon be coming to this Blog, so stay tuned...

Endorsement: Collinsville Herald

Thank you to the Collinsville Herald-Journal for their endorsement!

From the Herald-Jounal:

For the 3rd Ward, we endorse Allen P. Adomite.

Adomite has expert experience in government on several levels and is well-informed concerning the issues Troy faces and the projects under way in the city.

Also, thank you for the continuing support, well-wishing, and endorsement from Obiter Dictum, aka Amy Allen.

St. Louis Post-Disparch Candidate Previews

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has its online candidate guide posted for Madison County. Scan down and find the Troy municipal races and you can click on my candidate profile.

Only a week until Election Day!

Candidate Review: Collinsville Herald

The candidate reviews for Troy's municipal races has hit the news stands!

From the Collinsville Herald-Journal:

Allen Adomite, 29, is also running for alderman of Ward 3. He said he gained valuable experience as a legislative staff member for the Illinois General Assembly for four years.

"Communication is the key to making sure the job is done right the first time," Adomite said, "which is why I'm proposing the appointment of citizen advisors onto the Public Works Committee."

Adomite said advisors would create better dialogue between the city, its contractors and neighbors during street construction.

Throughout the campaign, Adomite has visited with numerous residents and has valued what he has learned through speaking with people.

"My commitment to meet with residents on their doorstep will not stop after Election Day," he said. "The citizens in Ward 3 have always valued the accessibility of their aldermen, and I plan to continue that tradition."

(An additional note: I'd like to quickly thank the 500+ people I've already had the opportunity to speak with on doorsteps in our Ward. I feel like representing you on the Council is much more than attending meetings, it's working to meet you at your home to talk about the things that affect your neighborhood and family. Hope to see many more of you for a first, second, or maybe even third visit by April 5th!)

More Signs: Taylor Lake Subdivision

I can quickly answer the question as to whether or not Troy has a sign ordinance prohibiting political signs from the City-owned right-of-ways: Troy doesn't.

However, the ordinance doesn't seem to be enforceable in Glen Carbon, given the rash of signs that have continue to litter the public's land along the thoroughfares in our neighboring town.

Which begs a bigger political question...

Who should enforce sign ordinances? It's a political lose-lose for any incumbents running. If the city were to enforce the ordinance, the Mayor of the town would be on the chopping block for being "too political" with the office during an Election year.

After hearing from supportive homeowners in Taylor Lake subdivision that the subdivision has an ordinance (more likely, a "covenant") that prohibits posting of signs in the subdivision, I'm going to refrain from putting my signs up IN the subdivision. I've asked the property owner across the street for permission to put a sign in the field across from the entrances, and he has graciously allowed me the space. Thanks to Scott Howard (the Taylor Lake Neighborhood Association President) for clarifying the rules so we can follow them.

I guess that answers my first question...

The candidates should police themselves when working to observe sign ordinances and restrictions. The public notices when signs are placed without permission. It goes to show, if a candidate can't follow the rules DURING the election...well, I'll leave the rest up to your imagination.