Appointed Wildwood Council Member Sworn In

Don Kozlowski became Wildwood's newest city council member at Monday night's meeting. Through a mayoral nomination and city council member ratification of a 8-6 vote, he replaces David Hamrick, who was elected as a council member for Ward 1 on April 5.

was unable to fulfill his responsibilities, due to transferring to Colorado for employment reasons post-election.

Kozlowski brought 70-plus signatures of affirmation from Ward 1 residents to the meeting.

He said in 1972 he purchased property in St. Louis County—which eventually became Wildwood—at a friend's recommendation. "He said it was God's country, and he was right," said Kozlowski at the podium when addressing city council members prior to being sworn in.

Kozlowski said he got involved with the direction of West St. Louis County's local area in 1990 when Missouri Department of Transportation officials discussed major modifications to Route 109.

City council member David Geile, also representing Ward 1, said he remembers Kozlowski being the sole person facing people at during organizational meetings about incorporating what became Wildwood. "There's no question about your dedication, passion and vision. But after the incorporation, you said you were done," said Geile, directing the comments to Kozlowski. "So after all that, are you ready to jump back into the meat grinder?"

Kozlowski said he viewed city council as fun, "a different kind of fun, but fun" nonetheless.

Kozlowski's career was with a major American aerospace manufacturer and defense contractor, McDonnell Douglas.