Jake Wyatt Becomes 4th St. Charles Mayoral Contender

A fourth contender has stepped forward in the race for mayor in St. Charles’ municipal elections in April 2013.

Jake “Wayne” Wyatt this week announced his candidacy for the post, which Mayor Donald DeWitte will leave at the end of his second term. DeWitte announced earlier this year he would not seek another term as mayor.

Wyatt faces 3rd Ward Alderman Raymond Rogina, John Rabchuk and Jotham Stein in the race for St. Charles’ highest elected office.

A retired Army colonel, Wyatt said in his release that he intends to bring his leadership and business skills to bear in serving as mayor, and that he already has some concerns he wants to address.

“While I appreciate the challenges and accomplishments of past administrations, I also question some of the results which are currently impacting our city,” he said. “I am excited to lend my expertise, seeking new opportunities to build a strong, vibrant, visionary St Charles.

“One of the immediate calls for our new mayor will be to address the city’s fiscal health in light of current projects and future opportunities for growth,” Wyatt said in his release. “The next few years will be challenging. I pledge to remember our past, acknowledge our progress yet admit what needs to change, with patience that only comes with seasoned experience.”

Wyatt said he will use his financial experience — particularly as it relates to his community experience — as he focuses on the city’s fiscal issues.

“In the American Legion position, I reorganized our Legion Post finances into a secure, healthy financial picture, maintaining a balance of $1 million in the nonprofit fund, which benefits scholarships and community programs,” he said. “Finance is my forte.

Wyatt described his leadership style as being based on the knowledge he’s gained about what has worked best in business, in the military and in community service — “Integrity, frank, open communication, respect of the past with an eye to the future, a willingness to look for best practices,” he said. “Our residents bring their city government a perspective that can only come from their experiences in their neighborhoods across the city and they should be respected and regarded as resources as we move forward with decisions that will affect their lives. I believe each voice matters.”

The knowledge and skills he’s gained come from an array of experience.

He is a retired U.S. Army colonel whose 24 years in active military service included duty in Vietnam, the Philippines and Germany; he served as deputy of logistics, U.S. Central Command, Desert Storm under Gen. Norman Schwartzkopf. He boasts an array of military awards campaign ribbons earned during his years of service.

Wyatt has a bachelor’s of science degree in business from the University of Tennessee, master’s degree from the Florida Institute of Technology. He also touts his two decades of business leadership and ownership, as well as community involvement, including his service as finance officer of American Legion Post 342 and his membership in VFW Post 5036.

In addition, Wyatt said he has deep roots in the community that will serve him and the city well as as mayor. A 1967 graduate of St. Charles High School, Wyatt married classmate Judy Kay (Johnson) Wyatt, and they settled here. “We have three sons and seven grandchildren,” he said. “The only time I left St. Charles was for college and active military service.

“Community connections are among my high priorities: I have many ideas for outreach to over 10,000 veterans in St Charles, to reconnect them with peers in Legion and VFW communities, and to better serve their needs,” he added.

“With your vote of confidence in my commitment to St. Charles , your belief in the breadth of my experience and your trust in the importance of integrity in my life, the seriousness with which I will take the oath of mayor, it can be an exciting new day for all of St Charles,” Wyatt said.

Related:

• About Jake "Wayne" Wyatt

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