Politics & Government

Mayor DeWitte Won't Seek Third Term

DeWitte cites new professional position, changing priorities as he announces he will not seek re-election.

Citing a new professional position and its responsibilities, St. Charles Mayor Donald DeWitte announced early Friday afternoon that he will not seek a third term as mayor in the April 2013 municipal elections.

He has served the city of St. Charles for nearly 20 years as an elected official.

“I have been fortunate and blessed to have enjoyed the support of our residents, my fellow council members, and the entire city staff for many years,” DeWitte said in a release issued Friday.

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He first was elected to the City Council in 1993 as Third Ward alderman, the same office his father, Alphonse DeWitte, held for 26 years. DeWitte was unopposed in two subsequent re-election bids for alderman in 1997 and 2001, before being elected mayor in 2005. He was re-elected as mayor in 2009.

DeWitte accepted a position earlier this month as vice president of business development with the Wine Sergi Insurance Group, where he will work to assist with expanding the company’s public and private business segments in Illinois and surrounding states, the release states.

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“Life’s priorities have a way of determining your path,” DeWitte said in advising the City Council of his new professional responsibilities. Quoting Ronald Reagan, he added, “If we make up our mind what we are going to make of our lives, then work hard toward that goal, we never lose — somehow we win out.”

As mayor, DeWitte presided over the city as St. Charles embarked upon the Red Gate bridge project, which according to the release is the largest public works infrastructure initiative in the city’s history. The $30 million project, which first was envisions more than 80 years ago, is under construction on the city’s northern boundary. It is scheduled to open for traffic in December 2012.

During his tenure, the release states, the city has been awarded numerous honors from organizations such as the American Public Works Association, the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, and The Chaddick Institute for Municipal Development at DePaul University, for projects completed over the last eight years.

Projects completed during DeWitte's two terms as mayor include the new Public Works facility on 7th Avenue, the reconstruction of the and its administrative headquarters in the Century Station building, the ’s Riverwall and Norris Family public plaza reconstruction projects, the first two phases of the city's First Street Redevelopment Project, and the recently completed Radium Removal facility on Riverside Drive

DeWitte also noted the city’s recent distinction by Family Circle Magazine in 2011 as the “No. 1 City for Families,” citing the city’s work with the school district, the park district, the library district, and other government agencies, the release states.

“Setting a tone of progressive government, and promoting collaborative relationships with sister government entities, is just as important as bricks and mortar to the infrastructure of a community,” he said. “None of these achievements would have been possible without the shared vision and commitment of my colleagues on the City Council, the city staff, and, most importantly, our residents, who have always counted on their elected officials to make decisions that will always be in the best interests of the entire community.”

Municipal elections in April 2013 will include contests for five of the 10 aldermanic seats, as well as the city clerk and city treasurer positions.

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