The Crestwood Board of Aldermen’s April 23 meeting was both a blast from the past and a look into the future. The board bid adieu to term-limited Ward 2 Alderman Justin Charboneau, swore in the newly elected Ward 2 Alderman Rebecca Now, honored past mayors and board members and nominated Ward 4 Alderman Tony Kennedy to serve as the next board president.
The meeting began with Mayor Scott Shipley recounting the city’s past 75 years and recognizing the former elected officials in attendance.
“When I think about the number of years of service represented by the names on that plaque, as well as the people that are here tonight, I am truly humbled and awed. I truly am. Those of us currently serving on the board know that this is not a job, it’s not a career, but it’s a vocation of service. And so I thank all of you for your service to the community and to our residents,” Shipley said. “These are some good days in Crestwood, and I know that there’s been a lot of hard work that’s happened over the years and we stand on that foundation of your work.”
Next on the agenda was a resolution to acknowledge and honor Charboneau’s nine years of serving as Ward 2 alderman. As per tradition, the other alderman of his ward, in this case, Michael Balles, read the resolution, though before he could present it to Charboneau, a few other aldermen wanted to say some words.
“There’s a rededication plaque for this building hanging in the lobby. And there’s a transcription on it that says ‘we will transmit this city not only, not less, but greater, better and more beautiful than it was transmitted to us,’ and I think Alderman Charboneau has fulfilled that mandate, and then some,” Ward 3 Alderman Grant Mabie said.
“The very first meeting when Alderman Charboneau was sworn in back in April 2015 … he was asked to take a vote in which he voted affirmative to really take the first baby step toward moving forward with the mall project, which culminated into Crestwood Crossing last year,” he continued. “That’s been transformative for our community. The city went from struggling and deficits approaching a million dollars and businesses closing, to surpluses, economic growth and new developments and improved city operations in all respects.”
Kennedy then surprised the board with an “unauthorized resolution” in the form of a rhyming couplet that went over Charboneau’s accomplishments during his term. He concluded by saying:
“New sidewalks, new McBride subdivision, the building of Dierbergs and the passing of Prop A. Justin, you have a lot to be proud of with a new community center on the way. We’ll miss your leadership, your humor, sage opinions and we admire you through and through. You’ve been an amazing alderman, a great friend and Crestwood is a better place because of you.”
Once the aldermen all finished saying their goodbyes, the resolution passed unanimously and Charboneau exited his seat for a final time.
Rebecca Now was then called to the front of the room to be sworn into office. After taking her oath, she took her seat with her colleagues at the dais, beginning a new era for the board.
The meeting concluded with the selection of the new board president
Ward 3 Alderman Greg Hall nominated Kennedy, and the board voted unanimously in favor.
“Thank you. It’s amazing to be in the presence of former mayors and aldermen and friends and just it’s great to have you all here. It’s a wonderful board to be part of. I can assure you that we have a great mayor, wonderful staff, and I’m looking forward to the next 12 months,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy is no stranger to this position. He served as president of the board from April 2018 to 2019 and even served as acting mayor for a brief stint when former Mayor Gregg Roby resigned for health reasons. Kennedy served as acting mayor from June 2018 until November 2018 when Mabie was elected to fill Roby’s unexpired term until April 2020.