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Council accepts Ron Epps's resignation and ratifies mayoral appointment of John Roth; residents voice anger over process
Summary
Mayor read Ron Epps's resignation and council unanimously appointed John Roth to fill the Ward 1 vacancy until April 2026; public commenters criticized the fast appointment and asked for a special election while others welcomed Roth and expressed support for Epps.
The O'Fallon City Council on Jan. 23 accepted a resignation letter from Council Member Ron Epps and ratified Mayor Mary Hennessy’s appointment of John Roth to fill the Ward 1 seat through the next municipal election.
The mayor read a letter from Ron Epps stating he was resigning immediately after a recent stage‑4 pancreatic‑cancer diagnosis. In light of the resignation, the mayor asked the council to ratify the appointment of John Roth to serve the remainder of the unexpired term through April 2026. The motion to ratify was moved and seconded and passed on a voice vote.
John Roth joined the council at the dais, swore the oath of office and thanked the mayor and council. “I would like to thank the mayor and the rest of the council for voting me in,” Roth said, adding he wants residents to know his door is always open.
During the public-comment period, Dino Denoff expressed strong objections to the appointment process, calling it a “fast appointment” and saying the vacancy should have been filled by a special election at the upcoming April municipal election. Denoff asked why the council did not hold an open application process and alleged the appointment favored the mayor’s choice. City attorney O'Keefe responded by citing the city charter, which authorizes a mayoral appointment to serve until the next general municipal election, and noted the certification deadline for the April election was imminent, limiting options.
Other public commenters took the opposite view: Jamie Cronk said she lives in Ward 1, welcomed Roth and supported the city's action. Multiple council members offered condolences and prayers for Epps and welcomed Roth.
Why it matters: The appointment fills a council vacancy ahead of the April election and drew public protest alleging insufficient public notice. The council and city attorney cited the charter process and tight timing between the resignation and the filing/certification deadline.
What’s next: John Roth will serve until the April 2026 municipal election cycle for this seat; the council did not schedule a special election. Council members asked the public to contact Roth directly with concerns.
