Politics & Government

Three With Varying Experience Face Off for Ward 1 Council Seat

Mary Ann Ohms, Rory Riddler and Kenny Biermann seek seat on council.

A former state representative and a former city councilman are competing against a political newcomer to represent Ward 1 on the St. Charles City Council.

Kenny Biermann, 55, was a state representative from 2008-2010 and an Orchard Farm Board of Education member for ten years. Biermann said he is seeking this position because he wants to continue to contribute to the community.

Biermann said his strength is in his ability to work well with others.

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“I just want to move St. Charles forward,” he said. “Just get the people’s work done and go home.”

Rory Riddler, 56, represented Ward 1 on the city council for about 28 years before Richard Veit won the seat in 2007 by less than 5 votes. Riddler said he enjoyed his opportunity to serve and wants that chance again. He said during his time on the council he passed more then 200 ordinances and fought for the people.

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“We need a councilman that still makes house calls,” he said.

Riddler said he wants to look into getting security cameras on North Main Street to help improve the rowdiness and vandalism.

“If you could get a good picture of who is committing that vandalism, you might be able to go after them and them to pay restitution,” he said.

Mary Ann Ohms, 55, has served on city boards and commissions but hasn’t ever run for office. Ohms said she wants to take a more active role in the city. She said her priority, if elected, would be to listen to residents of Ward 1 and help secure resources to respond to their concerns. 

She also said her experience as an attorney has prepared her to listen to people and work with them to resolve issues.

“I will bring these skills to the city council,” she said.

Ward 1 covers the north eastern part of the city, including North Main Street, Frenchtown and the area north of Highway 370 and east of Boschertown Road. Click through the photos to see a ward map.


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