Michael Batchelor - For Upper Alton

Been a while since Ive used this page. Firstly, thank you to those who entrusted me with their 9th GOP Precinct Committeeman vote again. Thanks to you, I am the NEW Chairman of the Alton-Godfrey-Foster Township Republicans. Been quite some time since anybody close to my age has held leadership in Madison County.

Next I want to address the Funding of flowers around Alton. Last year, as a newly appointed Vice President, I was tasked by the Upper Alton Association to find a new revenue stream via online donations. This year as an elected VP, I'm proud to say the Zeffy online tool has helped us raise funds for concerts, flowers, and helps create a renewal option for our members to pay their dues yearly, and the website will have them renew instead of a Treasurer being bogged down weekly by who owes what and when.

The flowers for 2026 have been ordered, and the final payment for them will be given upon delivery in just a few weeks. They are more pink than purple this year, and already blooming well from reports. All of the funds were raised through donations. By you and your families, local businesses, or several politicians and stakeholders.

Recently, the City decided to spend $11,800 on 25 self watering flower pots on Broadway from Market to Ridge. Groups like Main Street, PRIDE Inc, and Great Rivers and Routes have already undertaken many beautification roles in this corridor. While the city helping is commendable, it comes at an odd time and merits questions. The council complains of funding crisis for projects but views it necessary to spend this money from Food and Beverages taxes.

Im hopeful after the plans have been postponed then reintroduced and amended that EVENTUALLY Other regions of our city will benefit from either more planters like these, or help in the hanging baskets in North or Upper Alton. I will continue to fight for fairness to see that Upper Alton isnt left on the drawing room floor once again for another Broadway project.

-Thank you

Tomorrow (Tuesday the 29th) is our LAST CONCERT OF THE YEAR! Porch Cafe closes out the season beginning at 6pm. Gonna be a warm evening, so bring in water or soda if you like, and get those last minute entries in for our nearly $1000 gift card raffle!

Don't forget we have tickets for our Gift Card Basket raffle. $10 each. Over $900 worth of cards! Drawing will be July 15 and you DO NOT need to be present to win! Let us know if you are interested!

Don't forget to vote! I've written where I stand on the Mayoral Election below.

I get it, many of you who voted for David Goins this last time feel like he didn’t live up to our expectations, or you have reservations about Brant Walker that often stem from personal matters but not his political accomplishments. At the end of the day, I will give both Mayor Goins, and Mayor Walker the benefits of any doubts. While their styles are drastically different, I truly believe that their hearts are in it, and they want to truly change Alton for the better.

Alderman Strebel states he is running on Public Safety, Infrastructure, and fiscal responsibility. Folks, I’ve sat in the front row for every city council meeting for over a decade now, and I can tell you firsthand that talk is cheap. I see the bill listings too, and every time our Chief of Police has ever put in a request, every council and every mayor have supported them 100%. So if he is “finally” going to give them the resources they need, what else can we give them? What magic resource is available that only Ray knows about to keep us safe?

True fiscal responsibility would make sure that our smaller and poorer businesses are treated no differently than the rich and powerful. We give millions of tax dollars to huge corporations or entities that are double-dipping by getting breaks from the Governor and even congress! That’s not responsible, that’s giving kickbacks and perks to a friend while letting others struggle!

He apparently is also the ONLY candidate who has the “courage and forward thinking it takes” to fix our roads? As much as we think Alton is unique, we are just one of THOUSANDS of other river and former big industry towns facing the same issue. Our population continues to fall but the number of our roads is the same. For arguments sake, let’s say money were no object, and we could completely tear out and repour every single street in Alton. First, it would take more than a decade to accomplish, and by the time we were finished because of our harsh winters and summers, we would already have to begin to redo the streets that we began with. In addition to those repairs, we would still be fighting with American Water to actually fix the problems they create when they tear out sewer or water lines.

Alderman Strebel can light as many bridges as his heart desires, but ask any city hall employee if he knows how to build them. He throws tantrums in council meetings, but is worse off camera. These are public servants, not his personal employees to order around. Oh and by the way, Our Fire Department is top notch, gives us better insurance ratings and lower premiums, and should be given every bit of funding they need as first responders too, Ray.

While I grew up over in the literal backwoods and rougher portions of the 1st Ward for most of my life, I have been blessed to be a citizen of Upper Alton for going on 8 years now. His answer at the debate about his plans to address Upper Alton concerns instead of just downtown should be the final disqualifying factor. He admitted that he didn’t really have a plan and needed more research as he represents a ward far away.

Folks, We don’t have time for him to learn on the job. He has said on camera that he has asked our HR director for training materials for the Alderman to better learn about his job. He isn’t a normal Employee. 194 individuals in Ward 3 voted for him after he campaigned on his business skills, and experience with municipalities and government agencies up north. Those life experiences are your training, and the election your job interview. If you didn’t know what the job entailed, you shouldn’t have ran to begin with! There were 3 other men closely behind you in the polls who didn’t need their hand held.

So I’ll close with this, Ray Strebel has proven ineffectual as an Alderman by every measure. We can’t afford to promote him.

-Mike

PS. Lauren Wilson is a godsend and we need to elect her City Clerk!

We are now less than a week from election day 2025. Early voting and mail-in ballots have shown to be very low. The election Tuesday actually has more sway in your life than the congressional or Presidential elections do.

This 100% effects your property taxes, business taxes, & who runs your kids school boards. It determines the men and women we rely on to fill our potholes, and keep our streets safe with local and practical solutions instead of Washington or Springfields one size fits NONE solutions. These local elections don't garner enough attention, but they should. Please Vote!

Today is the day! Be sure to swing by BreadCo (or if you MUST be different you can call it Panera) and use our code to give a portion of proceeds to help fund our Rockin With Robert Concert Series!

Mark your calendar and help us raise funds to continue our Rockin' with Robert concerts, displaying the flags on holidays and maintaining the hanging baskets! Hope to see you at our fundraiser!

It's almost that time of the year where we get to go Rockin with Robert! But we need your help! In order to afford our amazingly talented musicians and keep up the hard work of keeping Upper Alton clean, we could use your assistance! So bring the family to BreadCo (Panera for those not originally from here) and be sure to add us at checkout. Every little bit helps!

Mark your calendar and help us raise funds to continue our Rockin' with Robert concerts, displaying the flags on holidays and maintaining the hanging baskets! Hope to see you at our fundraiser!

Nearly a decade ago, Charlie came up to me and asked "Why do you sit in the front row every week, is someone up here your parent or something?"... When I explained I was there to keep informed and keep our officials honest, he invited me to his house for Fazolis and a beer. One turned into several, and it turned into a great friendship. Despite being opponents on a ballot, he was still one of my biggest cheerleaders. Today we laid him to rest, and while I never got to meet her, I got to hear all about his beloved Patty over the years. I take great comfort in knowing that he is with her again. God speed, and God bless Charlie. -Mikey

Charlie exemplified what it was to be a public servant. He became one of my mentors, most gracious political opponent, and a really great friend. Today is a sad day for Alton. Rest easy Charlie.

Charles Brake, One Of Alton's Longest-Standing Aldermen, Dies ALTON - Alton's Charles W. Brake, a longtime public servant and respected community member, died at 8:35 a.m. on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Jerseyville

Where to begin? The last 24 hours have been a whirlwind of emotions. From the crimes on Broadway, to the horrific incident this morning, our city has been rocked to its core. I'm pleased to hear that Officer Averbeck will recover, but the APD lost K9 Odin as he protected his handler Allen. Keep all of our First Responders in your thoughts and prayers. They are out risking their lives to save others.

To the residents of Ward 5:

Four years ago, I ran for city council to represent Upper Alton and bring a new generation of ideas to City Hall.

When I came up just short in the 2021 election, I promised the 195 men and women who supported me that I'd continue to advocate for Upper Alton and use my voice.

I have consistently addressed the council on items where I think they are lacking in judgement. I've also continued my bi-weekly attendance at each meeting where I can always be found sitting in the front row.

Things have certainly changed in the last four years. Our city has stagnated in growth, our financial standing has faltered without the influx of cash from Covid ARPA funds, and our longtime incumbent Charles Brake retired.

This upcoming election has had many asking "Mike, are you going to run again?" It has been a question that I've been asking myself off and on over the course of the last year. I am currently serving as both the elected Precinct Committeeman for the 9th Precinct in upper Alton, & President of the University of Illinois Alumni Association for the St Louis Chapter. Recently, I just completed my part as the citizen representative for the Alton Township Decennial Efficiency Committee, lending my thoughts on how our local government could be more transparent and efficient, and getting the Township to launch their own website.

While I fully believe I'd be a great asset for our city as your Alderman, now is not that time.

This wasn't an easy decision for me. Many factors weighed heavily on me, but at the end of the day, one factor made this much easier: Since July of last year, we've been lead by Appointed Alderman John Meehan.

John is a former educator, a talented musician, and I'd say his knowledge of history could rival just about anyone. I've come to know him well since his partner's run for County Board and have seen his passion firsthand.

While I would have made a few votes differently, he is a man of conviction, and he has shown repeatedly that he is both willing and eager to actually sit down and discuss his mindset on any topic.

With petitions now being circulated, several announcements having been made on social media or to the press. We now know of a few city council members who have already decided or are considering retiring. One is attempting to seek higher office, and we have great uncertainty in the races for Mayor, Clerk, and Treasurer.

We need at least one constant voice of reason over the next 4 years. I am asking all the residents of 5th Ward, whether you voted for me or not in the past, to join me in supporting John Meehan for Alderman.

Thank You.