At the Holts Summit Board of Aldermen's September meeting, the board signed a resolution of appreciation for the dedicated public services of Jason Michael. After serving on the Holts Summit Board of Alderman for six years, Michael resigned from his seat as Alderman Ward I at the end of the board's August meeting. Michael and his family moved outside of Holts Summit city limits, three counties away, leading him to resign.
Mayor Lucas Fitzpatrick recalled a phrase Michael used to say at the meeting.
"I am going to miss the whole "spitballing; thing," Fitpatrick said with a laugh at the board's Sept. 8 meeting.
Prior to making a suggestion about an item the board was discussing, Michael would say, "I'm just spitballing, here." Michael described himself as the comedian of the group.
Michael moved to Holts Summit in 1996 and worked with Ameren UE. In 1999, he joined the Holts Summit Police Department as a police officer. In 2006, he became a small business owner in Holts Summit. He was appointed Alderman Ward I in October 2008 to fill the unexpired term of former Alderman Lisa Schnieders. He was then elected to the seat in April 2009 and served in that role until August.
Michael and his family moved to Miller County, where they have been constructing an off-the-grid home. Eventually, they want their home to be completely self-sufficient and supply its own energy.
"We should have the solar panels up in the spring and our wind generation so we will be able to be self-sufficient and off the grid," Michael said. "The kids have gotten to see the construction process... it has been quite an adventure for all of us."
Michael said he and his family wanted to simply their life and conserve energy.
Michael's wife plans to focus on homeschooling their youngest daughter. All three of their children have been home schooled.
"We have really made it (homeschooling) a priority," Michael said.
During his time living in Holts Summit and on the board, Michael said the city had a great deal of growth in its parks and industrial park areas. At one time, Michael said, the city's parks were privately owned. Private owners approached the city about taking over the parks, which the city did. Michael said the city taking over the parks was a step in the right direction.
"The turnout we've seen at our Fourth of July festivals, our little league youth ball program put on by the optimist club has been growing each year," Michael said. "It's good to see that people are starting to look at Holts Summit as not just a community where you sleep and work someplace else but that there are activities and things going on within the city limits that keep people there."
When he started on the board, Michael said he did not bring an agenda with him. He said the current board does the same. Michael hopes the board will continue to work for the people.
"I think the board needs to continue to strive to do the business of the people. They have to continue to be fiscally responsible." Michael said. "(Holts Summit is) a town that survives solely on a sales tax."
Michael said he was "just spitballing," but that he had some advice for the board moving forward.
"My biggest advice to the city of Holts Summit Board of Aldermen, if you sum it all up, is to just smile and have a good time and make a few jokes at city council," Michael said. "Don't take it all so seriously that you get a fat head. I don't want any fat heads at city hall. I want everyone to just be people that live and work there and really earnestly care about the community."
Megan Favignano can be reached at (573) 826-2417 or [email protected].