Blog

By Carol Arnett

Florissant City Councilwoman Karen McKay will say goodbye to the council at next Monday’s meeting. At that meeting, Jackie Bond Pagano, who defeated McKay in her bid for re-election, is scheduled to be sworn in at that meeting along with incumbent Ben Hernandez and three other councilmen who ran unopposed: Tim Lee, Joe Eagan and Keith Schildroth.

McKay has been on the council for 12 years. In that time, she has become known for communicating with her constituents. She has always held regular ward meetings and has made herself available at all hours.

“I’ve been on the council for six years,” said Councilman Ben Hernandez. “Karen McKay has always been a positive force.”

“She definitely will be missed,” said Council President Keith English. “For the past two years as council president, I’ve had a great vice president in Karen.” English added that while her help was always appreciated, he valued her friendship even more. “Thank you for your friendship,” he said.

McKay said at last week’s meeting that she didn’t want to talk about leaving at the council meeting. She said she would address her time on the council during the Council Action cable program.  She then “lost it,” as she said later on Council Action.

McKay first made a name for herself as a private citizen, coming to council meetings and working with the city to prevent noise from a bar near her home.

Since 2001, McKay has also worked with the American Cancer Society on the Relay for Life. She used her voice on the council to promote various events for the American Cancer Society.

As for future plans, McKay says she plans to remain active in politics. She said she has some friends running soon, and she will be working for their elections.

McKay said she would stay away from the council meetings for a while, out of respect for Pagano. The new councilmember comes from a lineage of  political leaders. Her father Donald Bond was county councilman representing North County. Her brother Don served on the Florissant Council a few years ago.

McKays plans to continue her work with the American Cancer Society and continue to be active in local politics.  During the Council Action program, McKay said that being on the council was a great honor. “I can’t say goodbye to anyone, because I live just a block away,” she said.