Mayor-Elect Wally Battas Discusses Plans; Future of Mascoutah

By Zachary Daum
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Mascoutah has a new mayor. On April 1, Wally Battas was elected to serve as mayor, defeating fellow City Council member Jack Weyant. Battas, who has served on the council for six years, will now step into his first term as mayor. Weyant will continue to serve as a council member.

Battas, a 40-year resident of Mascoutah, brings with him a history of community involvement. His professional background includes 21 years of operations management at Prairie Farms Dairy and current work with the St. Clair County Highway and Bridges Department, giving him unique insights into municipal operations. “I’ve been involved in the community for the last 38 years,” Battas explained. From coaching youth sports to supporting organizations like the Mascoutah Improvement Association (MIA) and Mascoutah Athletic Commission (MAC) Battas is very involved in the community.

Battas published the following release the day of his election: “On this Election Day, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the residents of the City of Mascoutah for entrusting me with their confidence to be your next Mayor. I thank Jack Weyant for his dedication to this City and I’m most grateful that he will continue to serve on the City Council as a valued voice of reason for policy in our great City. Most notably, to our outgoing Mayor, Pat McMahan, and to our outgoing Councilman, Nick Seibert, your selfless contribution is an example of the best of Mascoutah. I look forward to working with incoming Councilmen, Mike Voegele and Steve Beimfohr, along with current Councilman, Mike Baker to continue the great tradition of the City of Mascoutah. Most of all, I thank my family, for their support and sacrifice to allow me to continue my devotion of volunteerism and public service.”

One of Battas’ immediate priorities is strengthening the city’s infrastructure and workforce. “We’ve hired a public works director, filled one of the water position jobs and we’re looking for a city planner,” he said. Battas has set his sights on working to ensure the city is prepared for Mascoutah’s continued growth.

His management philosophy is clear: “My job is to support the City Manager Cody (Hawkins). He manages the city. I just talk to him if he’s got problems.” The incoming mayor is particularly passionate about addressing long-standing community needs. “We’ve got infrastructure problems in South Mascoutah that we’re working on,” Battas noted. “It’s going to take time, but there’s grant money out there, and I’ve been pretty good at looking for and finding it.”

Battas’ approach to hearing out the community is focused on direct community engagement. Battas has committed to personal accessibility, going so far as to distribute his personal cell phone number to Mascoutah residents. “People have a question? Call me. If you have a complaint, call me,” he stated. “If you don’t sit around and listen, you won’t know what people want.”

Battas actively seeks out community interactions, attending local events like the Leu Civic Center’s “Shoot the Rock” basketball programs and engaging with parents and residents to understand their perspectives. His approach is personal, influenced by his belief that true leadership means listening intently and being present.

A defining characteristic of Battas’ leadership is his commitment to volunteerism and community support. “I’ve always been one to believe that if you can help one kid accomplish something in life, you’ve succeeded,” he shared. This philosophy extends to his broader vision for the city, where he sees potential in every community member and organization. “We’ve got churches in this town that are always ready to step in,” he said. “I’ve never seen anything like the volunteerism (people participate in) here.” He recalls his own introduction to community service through Harold Knoth, who invited him to help with a community event years ago.

Battas also sees tremendous potential in Mascoutah’s community programs and facilities. He’s excited about projects like the Without Limits Playground and potential improvements to the civic center. “People need to understand what all happens at the civic center,” he emphasized, discussing how much the center is used in the community. “It’s not just a homeschooling program. There are basketball programs, potential flag football programs and after-school activities for kids.”

Looking to the future, Battas remains optimistic. “My hope is that every couple of months, people see changes that myself and the new City Council are doing as a team,” he said. With his blend of local knowledge, professional experience, and genuine commitment to community development, Wally Battas appears poised to lead Mascoutah into a promising future. As he puts it, “I’m not overwhelmed. I’m excited.” Battas emphasized that advice his mother gave him continues to guide him, even today. “Show people who you are and what you really believe, not who they perceive you to be.”