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Changing of the Guard in Hazelwood: Carr Steps Down, Mayor Robinson Takes Office
BY CAROL ARNETT
Calling the peaceful transfer of power a “great example of our government,” T. R. Carr stepped down as mayor of Hazelwood May 6 after nine years in office.
The council held two meetings in one night. At the first meeting, the last for Carr as mayor, the council presented him with a proclamation honoring his years of service. After the meeting and a brief reception, the council reconvened and swore in Matt Robinson as mayor.
Carr said he was honored to service nine years. He cited Park 370, St. Louis Mills, and keeping the Ford plant as long as the city did as some of his proudest accomplishments. He also said he was proud of the six-year street resurfacing project that the city recently completed, the water park, and the Knobbe house renovation.
Carr said the Ford plant closing was hard. “If someone would have told me in 2000 that we would lose a major employer and 18% of the budget, I wouldn’t have taken the job,” he said. But, he added, he was proud of the way the city was able to continue without layoffs or a reduction in services.
Carr praised the council members with whom he worked over the years. “They are an outstanding council,” he said. He also had kind words for the department head and all city employees.
Carr said his plans for the future include writing a book with his son, a professor in Michigan, teaching a class in Vietnam, working on economic development in Southern Illinois, and continuing in his position as chair of the Department of Public Administration and Policy Analysis at SIU – Edwardsville.
Matt Robinson thanked several people after he was sworn in, including James J. Russell, a close friend of his father’s whom he asked to stand with him as he took the oath of office. He thanked all of his supporters who worked on his campaign, and his family and friends.
Robinson said that the council didn’t always agree, but he was proud to say that they were always civil and polite. “There have been times in the past when we’ve disagreed, but the public never knew,” he said. He said he hoped that good will would continue.
He also said that he wanted to be approachable. “When I’m wrong, I want to be told I’m wrong by staff and council,” he said.
