Juggbutt's

08/31/2026

I've been talking about parks because that's where this conversation started.

But the problems facing Alton are bigger than our parks.

We've lost businesses. We've watched our downtown decline. Our arts and culture have been pushed aside. Historic places have disappeared. And too many people have simply stopped believing they can make a difference.

That's a dangerous place for a community to be.

A healthy community needs people who are willing to speak up, ask questions, disagree, create something new and sometimes say, "We can do better than this."

That doesn't make someone a troublemaker. That's how communities grow.

We shouldn't be afraid of new ideas because they're different. We shouldn't discourage people from expressing themselves because it makes someone uncomfortable. And we shouldn't expect volunteers to spend their time simply carrying out plans made by someone else.

We need people willing to bring their ideas, their talents and their hard work to the table.

Alton still has those people.

We need to start making room for them.

08/23/2026

I've heard it said several times: "The city already has a Park Board. It's the Board of Aldermen."

I don't think that's the same thing.

The Board of Aldermen has to worry about the whole city—streets, water, sewer, public safety, finances and everything else.

A real Park Board would have one job: Our Parks.

It would give citizens a place to participate in planning and managing our parks. It could develop long-term plans, look for grants and donations, and help decide what our parks need—not just this year, but ten or twenty years from now.

It would also give us something we don't have now: regular public accountability for our parks.

A Park Board must keep records, present its budget and plans publicly, and provide an annual report showing what was accomplished, what was spent and what is planned for the future.

That's transparency.

The Board of Aldermen would still control the city's money and budget. But the public would have a dedicated group responsible for the parks and accountable to the people who use them.

That's what I mean when I say Alton needs a Park Board.

08/17/2026

There's something encouraging happening in Alton.

More people are paying attention.

People are asking questions. They're watching the Board meetings. They're talking to their neighbors. Some are even quietly telling me they're glad someone is willing to keep asking questions.

That's a good thing.

At the August Board meeting, I again asked about the parks department budgets and the accounting for our voter-approved park tax. The mayor pro-tem said they would get those records together and make them available.

I'll be watching for them.

Not because I expect everything to change overnight, but because I believe an informed community can make a difference.

Alton has good people who care about this place. We've proven that many times over.

Let's keep paying attention. Let's keep asking questions. And let's keep working toward a community our children and grandchildren can be proud of.

08/15/2026

I've heard from quite a few people lately who quietly tell me they're following along and appreciate what I'm doing.

To those of you who have spoken up, even privately, thank you. It means more than you probably realize.

I still believe Alton can be a better place.

Better parks. Stronger community. More opportunities for everyone; kids, adults, seniors and families. More reasons for young people to stay. More reasons for all of us to be proud of where we live.

I don't know how long it will take.

But I believe we can get there.

And I'm not giving up.

08/11/2026

Once again, the Board rejects the idea of public input.

The Alton City Council had its monthly meeting. While much of the discussion focused on the city parks, other news was discussed, too.

08/11/2026

A GESTURE OF APPEASEMENT

Last night, our city leaders hastily voted to spend a massive portion of a new donation on playground equipment, placing the order immediately. While our community is incredibly grateful for this generous gift, this rushed vote is a clear attempt to quiet the public's growing demands for financial transparency and a dedicated public Park Board.

Buying shiny new equipment overnight does not fix years of neglect, nor does it answer where our park tax dollars have actually been going. In fact, doing this -- one day after the donation was confirmed, before even determining where the equipment will be installed and, while rejecting calls for a single town hall meeting or a chance for citizen input—proves exactly why we cannot leave our parks solely in the hands of the Board of Aldermen.

We don't just want new equipment; we want transparency, accountability and public participation in parks management decisions. We will not be pacified by quick fixes meant to bypass public oversight. Our push for a permanent, community-led public park board continues, and we demand a formal town hall meeting so the residents can finally have a say in the future of our parks.

08/08/2026

Someone asked me at work today, “Are you looking forward to the Board meeting Monday?”

Honestly, not really.

It gets tiring asking the same questions over and over and not getting straight answers.

But I'm not giving up.

I've never believed this fight was about me or my family. I want to see Alton become a town our children and grandchildren can be proud of.

Better parks. A thriving downtown. More successful local businesses. Arts, music and community events. Bigger dreams and more opportunities for every child growing up here.

I don't expect one Park Board to fix all of that. But I believe a community that learns to work together and listen to one another can start improving things.

That won't happen because one person keeps talking.

It will happen when more of us decide our community is worth our time.

You don't have to make a speech Monday night. You don't have to agree with me.

Just come. Listen. Pay attention.

I've been at this for a long time, and I'm going to keep at it.

But I can't do it alone.

**Alton belongs to all of us.**

08/06/2026

This Monday evening, the Alton Board of Aldermen will meet again.

I'll be speaking during the public comment period, but this meeting isn't about me.

It's about our community.

Over the past few months, more people have started paying attention to what's happening in our parks and in our city government. That's a good thing.

The more citizens who are present, the more likely it is that decisions will be made in the open, with the public watching.

You don't have to speak.

You don't have to agree with me.

Just being there matters.

If you care about our parks...

If you care about transparency...

If you care about the future of Alton...

I hope you'll come.

I expect the meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Our community deserves to be part of the conversation.

07/30/2026

Over the last couple of weeks, a lot of people have watched the Board of Aldermen meeting online.

Many of you have told me you were disappointed by what you saw.

I think that's why I want to say something a little different today.

First, I want to thank the Thomas family at AltonMo.com for taking the time to record and share these meetings. In a town without a local newspaper, they've given people a chance to see what happens for themselves. Whether we agree or disagree on the issues, an informed community is a stronger community.

The more I've thought about everything that's happened, the more convinced I am that this isn't just about a pocket park.

It's about whether the people of Alton have a real voice in our parks and in the future of our town.

I've asked a lot of questions over the years.

I'll keep asking them.

Not because I'm looking for a fight.

Because public money belongs to the public.

Public parks belong to the public.

And the people deserve honest answers.

I've also been encouraged.

More people are paying attention.

More people are showing up.

More people are asking questions.

That's how trust begins to come back.

A Park Board won't solve every problem.

But it will give the public a place at the table—not just for one project, but for the future of Our Parks and Our Town.

I still believe we'll get there.

Not because it will be easy.

Because more people are beginning to believe their voice matters.

07/26/2026

What Could Alton Become?

What if the next great idea for Alton starts with an ordinary conversation?

A new social club.

A community theater.

A hiking group.

A festival.

A project to improve our parks.

A way to serve our neighbors.

Every great community is built by people who care enough to get involved.

That's why the First Amendment matters. It protects the freedom of ordinary people to gather, share ideas, and build something together.

If you love Alton... if you want to see our community grow... if you've ever dreamed of making a difference, I hope you'll join us.

🇺🇲 First Amendment & the Public Forum 🇺🇲

📅 Tuesday, July 28, 2026
🕠 5:30 PM
📍 Collins Coffee
17 Court Square
Alton, Missouri

Attorneys from the Washington University, First Amendment Clinic will lead a community conversation about First Amendment rights on government-owned property, followed by an open Q&A.

Come learn with us.

I believe in this town. I believe in its people. And I believe our best days are still ahead of us.