Dear Friends,

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” all across Ballwin! Almost any neighborhood you drive through there are beautifully decorated homes, as families share their Christmas joy with neighbors and friends. I hope your family like mine is enjoying this magical season!

First a little great news! On Monday, December 8th , the Board of Aldermen will consider adoption of the proposed 2026 budget. Next year’s budget will contain record investments in streets, sidewalks, public safety, our Parks and The Pointe at Ballwin Commons. All this will be accomplished with no increases in your taxes. Plus, Ballwin remains debt free. Your elected officials are dedicated to investing in our community!

Santa Claus is coming to Ballwin! Bring your kids, grandkids or kids at heart to The Pointe on Saturday, December 13th from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. too get pictures with Santa. Bring your cameras to take your favorite pose and join the fun! Plus, there will be a place for the kids to write their own letter to Santa that he can take back to the North Pole with him to make sure he has the right gifts in his sleigh!

We have all seen the news reports and the heartbreak of those families who are struggling to put food on the table for their families this time of year and all year around. I know there have been multiple food drives around our area this year. I want to thank everyone who joined my family in donating to many of these great efforts.

I am asking for your help one more time this Holiday season. I am honored to join St. Louis County Mayors in participating in the Mayors For Meals Food Drive. If you can help, please drop off any donations to the Government Center between December 10th and 23rd. Thank you in advance for helping those in need in our region.

Sadly, this time of year can sometimes be ruined by thieves who decide to take advantage of vacationing residents or help themselves to your new Christmas gifts. If Santa is bringing a new television or maybe computer this year, be sure to break up the boxes your new items came in and place them inside the recycling bins. You don’t want to advertise to anyone who happens to be driving by that you have new electronics or other gadgets they might want.

If a trip to the beach or the mountains is in your Holiday plans be sure to sign up for the Police Department’s vacation watch program. The sign-up form can be found here. Our awesome police officers will watch your house while you are gone and let you know if anything is wrong.

Finally, I want to invite everyone to Ballwin’s Birthday Party! As you know, Ballwin is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. We were officially incorporated on December 29, 1950, with a population of 750 people. To celebrate this milestone, everyone is invited to the party on December 27th and 28th at The Pointe. In honor of our birthday, the Pointe will be open free of charge to Ballwin residents. Come and enjoy the pool, spa, basketball and pickle ball courts, ping pong and pool tables and the exercise equipment. Plus, there will be birthday cupcakes all weekend! You can also stroll down memory lane enjoying pictures of our Ballwin community through the years. I hope I see you there!

My family joins my fellow elected officials and our tremendous city staff in wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Mayor Mark R. Stallmann