Mark Kern

Fun with some noise is on tap in 40 days!
https://www.fairstclair.com/

Awesome. Congrats! Althoff Catholic High School graduate Juan Cox is the new Chief of Police for the St. Louis County Police Department. He’s also a graduate of Eastern Illinois University. https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1CzmtqkKy6

Happy Friday! There are many events and activities throughout the county today, Saturday, and Sunday. Today is also Juneteenth, one of our nation’s 11 Federal Holidays. As usual, please visit these event pages directly to see details since these attachments are screenshots. These are events primarily sponsored by or benefiting local community groups, service clubs, non-profits, churches, and local government. Regarding the Belleville, O’Fallon, Fairview Heights, Caseyville, and other local parks and recreation departments, please look at their pages since they have many additional events and activities for all ages. And please support your local library and food pantry. I always add additional events when I have time to find them so please check back. Have a good weekend and … Sunday is Father’s Day! More about Juneteenth: www.history.com/articles/what-is-juneteenth and the Carol Daniel YouTube episode is here: https://youtu.be/5RS__RNSdcQ

The ‘Air Race Classic’ is a Women in Aviation competition. “The 49th Annual Air Race Classic will take off from STL Regional Airport in East Alton next Tuesday and end 4 days later in Mt. Vernon, IL.” Ideal Aviation Illinois LLC based at STL Downtown Airport in Cahokia Heights/Sauget will be represented by three certified flight instructors/pilots! Their information is attached. Good luck!! “More than 100 women pilots and 46 aircraft from across the country will launch on a 2,400 mile journey … continuing a tradition that traces its roots back to the pioneering women aviators of the 1929 Women's Air Derby. The Air Race Classic is the epicenter of women's air racing with pilots’ ranging in age from 17 to 90+ years old. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds including students, teachers, doctors, airline pilots, business owners, professionals and air traffic controllers. The Air Race Classic showcases the skill, determination, and accomplishments of Women in Aviation while inspiring the next generation of pilots.”

Stops along the way include:
• Frankfort, Kentucky (KFFT)
• Spartanburg, South Carolina (KSPA)
• Douglas, Georgia (KDQH)
• Tanner, Alabama (KDCU)
• McComb, Mississippi (KMCB)
• Russellville, Arkansas (KRUE)
• St. Joseph, Missouri (KSTJ)
• Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin (KPDC)

Our County Public Building Commission (PBC) held their monthly meeting this morning. The meeting was held at our new St. Clair County Animal Services facility that will open in the near future. Photos are attached. Thank you Ashley for the tour after the meeting. It’s about 3,500 s.f. larger than the existing flood-prone facility. Watch for the Ribbon Cutting notice. Our general contractor for this new facility is Wright Construction Services, Inc. and it was designed by Animal Arts Design. It’s a fear-free environment for the animals.

The agenda and key items from this morning are also attached. As I’ve mentioned in previous PBC related posts, the seven PBC Commissioners are appointed by me with the approval of the Members of the County Board. They are not compensated. The PBC owns/manages, builds, renovates, finances, protects, and maintains County government buildings on behalf of the County Board.

The PBC Commissioners also serve as the immediate oversight board for MidAmerica St. Louis Airport (BLV). The Airport saw a record number of passengers in May. And the last week in May was the best week in our history. Last year, the Airport had a 25% growth. This year it’s currently on track for 9% growth. Airport stats are attached. The PBC also assists me with the development/redevelopment of Belle Clair Fairgrounds Park including the racetrack construction.

Save-the-Date. We are collecting care package essentials for deployed military personnel. Three weeks from today. Thursday, July 9th, 10:30-1:30 in the circle drive in front of the County Administration and Courts Building (the Courthouse). Details courtesy of a couple newspapers. ⤵️⤵️

It’s Thursday and there are several events and activities today. And, it’s our day for all of us in the 618 area code!

FYI. Next week the Missouri Botanical Garden is once again having its Illinois Appreciation Week. Details: missouribotanicalgarden.org/illinois-appreciation-week-1717. 💯👍

FYI. Here are a couple additional days next week if you want to volunteer filling school bags. Please call them directly if you have any questions.

🎒✨ Be Part of Something Big! ✨🎒

Our mission to prepare students for a successful school year continues, and we need your help!

Join us as we pack 1,750 back-to-school bags filled with school supplies that will help students throughout St. Clair County walk into their classrooms ready to learn, grow, and thrive.

📅 Volunteer Opportunities:
• June 25 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• June 26 | 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
🔗 Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1q1hV7_vkcmZn6n85JR6BC8vUf0d2iTEWxOgRFGC1fsI/viewform?edit_requested=true

No experience needed—just a willingness to lend a hand! Whether you can volunteer for an hour, a few hours, or the entire shift, every minute makes a difference.

Together, we can help ensure local students start the school year with the tools they need and the confidence they deserve. ❤️

Additional volunteer dates may be available throughout June and July.

Please share with friends, family, coworkers, and community groups. The more helping hands, the more students we can support!