Politics & Government

Malay Runs for St. Charles' 5th Ward Seat

Former city employee to challenge Maureen Lewis' re-election bid during April 9 balloting.

Kim Malay announced Sunday evening she will seek the 5th Ward aldermanic seat during the April 9, 2013 consolidated election.

Malay’s announcement comes a little more than three weeks after incumbent Maureen Lewis confirmed she would seek re-election to the seat she originally was appointed to in December 2010 and won by election four months later, narrowly defeating Malay in the process.

“With great honor I would like to announce my candidacy for 5th Ward alderman for the city of St. Charles,” Malay wrote in an email announcing her candidacy to St. Charles Patch. “My family and I have lived here for 11 years, and I have been deeply involved with our wonderful community for over 17 years, including working for the city of St. Charles Community Development Department for nearly 15 years.”

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Malay is a former St. Charles municipal employee who has served on various committees for the Downtown St. Charles Partnership, and is the president of the Farnsworth Mansion Foundation. She is also the founder of the Near Westside Neighborhood Association.

“In my heart this is my hometown and I am proud of it,” she wrote. “I do feel, however, that there are issues that need to be addressed, and as I have proven over the last four years through the Near West Neighborhood Organization that I formed to help the residents address their concerns regarding Shodeen’s proposed project — Towne Centre on the Old St. Charles Mall property, that I have and I will continue to represent the residents, not the politics.

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“I have also proven through those continued efforts that I do what I say and I say what I mean,” Malay said. “I have the knowledge, experience and leadership skills to represent the residents of the 5th Ward to the highest ability.”

Malay wrote that her goals include:

  • More transparent and open government.
  • Better communication between city government and residents/local businesses and various organizations.
  • More opportunity for residents to share their opinions and concerns.
  • Passage of an ethics ordinance to ensure officials and staff are clear on what is ethically expected within city government.
  • Secure the safety, wellbeing and quality of life for our residents.
  • Maintain St. Charles’ beauty and charm.
  • The revitalization of our downtown and protection of the city’s historic and family qualities.
  • Fiscal responsibility.
  • Responsible development.
  • A stronger focus on economic development.

“With my 23 years of government employment, nearly 15 of those years with St. Charles, I have developed the knowledge, experience and leadership abilities to truly understand the issues that face our community and what it will take to fix them, including the fact that residents are frustrated by our government because they feel that our elected officials aren’t listening and will do whatever they want to do regardless of what the residents want,” Malay wrote.

“I will work hard to change this,” she continued. “You the people are our boss and I for one will represent your wishes. I have also consulted for and with many other communities and saw their issues and how they resolved them. I worked closely with the City Council and have an understanding of the history of many of the decisions that have been made for the last few decades.”

Since leaving her position with the city, Malay said she has continued to be involved, attending council meetings, committee meetings and interacting with city officials, including developing a working relationship with many of the city’s 10 aldermen. She also notes she has been active such organizations as the Downtown Partnership, River Corridor Foundation of St. Charles, Farnsworth Mansion Foundation and the Near West Neighborhood Association

“All this together gives me the knowledge, education, experience and leadership skills needed to be the representative on the City Council you deserve,” she wrote. “Through my experience I have an understanding and deep passion of importance of the amazing history of St. Charles, where we are now and where we hope to head.

“I have and will continue to give a voice to the residents of the 5th Ward and all residents of St. Charles, listen to and represent them, plus encourage them to get involved,” she continued “I will boldly question the issues brought before the council to ensure we have the answers needed to make the best decisions possible for the city and its residents. I will strongly advocate that ethics be a priority for our city government as a whole.

“As a resident I have worked hard to represent and give voice to many of the residents on the West Side,” she wrote. “I hope you now will give me the honor to represent you as your 5th Ward alderman. I look forward to working to make our gem of a community shine even brighter.”

Malay was narrowly defeated by Lewis in the spring of 2011m when the two vied for the 5th Ward seat left vacant by the November 2010 resignation of David Richards. Lewis won interim appointment to the seat a month later, then won election to it in April 2011.

Lewis said Aug. 31 that she would not run for mayor after Donald DeWitte announced he would not seek a third term. But Lewis did say then that she would run for re-election as 5th Ward alderwoman.


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