Connie Schmitt has resigned her Ward 1 seat on the Kimmswick Board of Aldermen. She also has stepped down as the director for the town’s annual Apple Butter and Strawberry festivals. Schmitt, 63, said she resigned on July 28.
“I am resigning from the aldermen and festival duties because the board and festival committee is moving in a direction that I believe could be detrimental to our beloved town. I choose to no longer be a part of it,” she said in her resignation letter. “Some of their choices for the festivals, profit-wise, I don’t think are in our best interest or the vendors’ interest. I could be very wrong, but there are a few things that they would not listen to my thoughts.
“I don’t hate the city. I have been a steward of this city for so many years and such a promoter of the city, merchants and residents. There are just a few things I do not agree with, and I got out because they are such big disagreements. I had to do that for me.”
Schmitt said she has helped organize the festivals for 40 years and has been the festival director for the past 30 years. She had been an alderwoman for the past 12 years, and she had served as the Kimmswick court clerk for 20 years.
She said she also organized the town’s National Night Out, an event to bring the community and police officers together, for the past 15 years.
Kimmswick Mayor Phil Stang said he appreciates the work Schmitt’s done on behalf of the city.
“(Schmitt) has done a super job for years, not only as an alderwoman, but also as the festival chairwoman,” he said. “I couldn’t be more grateful for the work she has done. As with anyone, when you are that intense to make sure things are done right and with the untold hours needed to do those things, sometimes you need a rest. I have nothing but positive things to say about Connie.”
Schmitt said she had about a year and half left on her term as an alderwoman, and it was hard to walk away from the position.
“I felt like I made a commitment to the residents, and I always have been loyal,” she said. “But my heart said, ‘Connie, it is time to get out.’ I don’t like to not honor my commitment, but I had to honor (my heart).
“I didn’t resign out of vindictiveness. I gave them all of the festival paperwork that I have, and I showed them how I did everything from the bids and everything.”
Schmitt said anyone with questions about the festivals may call City Hall at 636-464-7407.
Moving forward
Stang said city officials were reviewing candidates for the Ward 1 seat on the board, which could be filled during the Board of Aldermen’s next meeting on Monday, Aug. 14.
“As of this moment we have not made any decisions,” he said Monday. “A number of people have been contacted.”
Stang said there is not a rush to fill the empty seat because Kimmswick still has three board members – Andrew Arnold representing Ward 1 and Kenneth Kraft III and Don Jones representing Ward 2.
“We can conduct business because we have a quorum,” he said. “We will not rush into any decisions, and I think we will find a very capable person to do it.”
Stang also said the remaining six people on the Kimmswick festival committee will continue to organize the Apple Butter Festival, scheduled for Oct. 28-29.
The Apple Butter Festival is traditionally held during the last weekend of October, and the Strawberry Festival during the first weekend of June.
Town officials have said the two festivals make up about 80 percent of Kimmswick’s budget, with the Apple Butter Festival typically raising about $90,000 and the Strawberry Festival bringing in about $60,000 for the town.
Saying goodbye
Schmitt, who operates a home day care, said it takes a lot of time to organize the festivals.
“It is something I did on my off time constantly,” she said. “I was always answering phone calls and emailing. I would go somewhere and hear a good band, and I would think, ‘I wonder if they would be interested in playing at the Apple Butter or Strawberry festival?’ I would go a vendor show, and I would say, ‘You would really be good for the Apple Butter Festival.’”
Schmitt said she will miss working with the vendors at the festivals.
“Some of the vendors have been here since I started. They have watched my kids grow up, and I have watched their kids grow up. They all understand. I did not get any bad feedback (about my resignation), which I was happy about. It made it a little easier because I didn’t want to let any of the vendors or residents down.”
Schmitt said she had thought about resigning for a long time.
“I have made my decision, and I am living with my decision,” she said. “I miss it, but I will find something to do, I am sure.”